Petro services distillery producing hand sanitizers

Petro Home Services has been delivering propane to Vale Fox Distillery, buying its hand sanitizers and donating them to health care workers during the coronavirus. Photo by Roger Rosenbaum

In a world where coronavirus has impacted nearly every individual and business, the propane industry has risen to the occasion by doing what it does best – putting people first.

Many companies have completely altered how they do business, and some industries have been put entirely on pause. Although the propane industry is deemed essential and continues to operate as needed, it has still experienced the effects of the virus through the businesses and individuals it serves.

Petro Home Services in Poughkeepsie, New York, has been giving back to its community since early in the pandemic.

Petro, a subsidiary of Star Group, has serviced Vale Fox Distillery since the company’s opening. The distillery specializes in gins and whiskeys, but its production has shifted to an atypical product in recent months: hand sanitizers.

In response to the coronavirus, Vale Fox is now producing hand sanitizer to meet the product’s increased high demand.

Vale Fox’s ability to provide hand sanitizer is now a public service. Petro’s servicing of the distillery means even more now for its New York community.

Petro delivers propane to the distillery weekly for space heating purposes. It also buys Vale Fox’s hand sanitizers and donates them to companies and organizations, including United Way and local fire departments.

“We wanted to make sure we were part of [Vale Fox’s efforts],” says Rob Miccarelli, general manager at Petro. “He’s supported by us and we’re supported by him. It’s simply a local business helping out the local community.”

In addition, Petro has supported other organizations in the area in response to the coronavirus. Miccarelli, on behalf of Petro, ordered pizzas to be delivered to the medical team at Vassar Brothers Medical Center and Pulse–MD Urgent Care.

Petro is donating hand sanitizers to Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad, Orange Regional Medical Center, East Fishkill Police Department and the Poughkeepsie Police Department.

Jerry McDonough, vice president of operations at Star Group, hopes to see area businesses opening soon. In the meantime, he plans on continuing to help the community’s individuals and businesses as much as possible.

“The great thing about it is that this is a closely knit community, so people know where they can go for help,” McDonough says. “Sometimes we’re on the receiving end of help, or employees are, so it’s great to be part of the team that’s on the giving end.”