More money, more product, more jobs at The Arc Ontario's FLX Premier Bottling

HOPEWELL, NY – The process of bottling products such as Tearless Shampoo is not that hard.

So says Michael McMillin, who first started working on the small FLX Bottling Premier assembly line at The Arc Ontario last week.

First, his co-worker, Alex Hornbeck, makes sure the empty white plastic bottles are aligned so they can travel to the next station in a straight line.

The soap used to fill the bottles comes from a big vat and travels through a pressurized tube, which then flows into the bottles. McMillin said a machine gauges the correct amount needed, and he places the caps on and screws them tight after they are filled.

Another co-worker, Keith Webb, ensures the caps do not come off during shipping as he operates a tool that further tightens the bottle tops -- no leaking allowed. Next up is Leeann Yates, who makes sure the labels are affixed to the bottles and then boxes them up. The boxes are tagged and placed on a pallet.

“And they’re ready to go,” McMillin said.

The Arc Ontario has received a $25,000 grant from the New York State Industries for the Disabled to upgrade and streamline its bottling operation and to come into compliance with state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities employment regulations.

The Arc Ontario has been bottling hygiene products such as aloe and shampoo through this social enterprise for over 20 years, although in limited quantity or on an as-needed basis, said Executive Director Ann Scheetz. The operation also bottles pet shampoo for its Bad Dog Boutique grooming salon on Main Street, Canandaigua.

The other personal hygiene products are sold through NYSID to other state-run facilities.

The funding is intended to help workers amp up efficiency 30% and increase profits for the agency. But it also enables the hiring of more people with developmental disabilities, in hopes of making a dent in the current 67% unemployment rate in New York for people with disabilities.

“Now is truly the right time to invest in this business,” Scheetz said.

Jennifer Lawrence, director of marketing and communications for NYSID, said in presenting a check to The Arc Ontario on Tuesday that all stakeholders in the community are much better off when everyone has the same opportunities.

“It’s all about creating more opportunities, and sometimes you need more money to do it,” Lawrence said.

Operations Manager Joe Vigneri said in just a week, the camaraderie of his crew has grown from a team of workers to family, to the point where they now take breaks and “shoot the breeze” together.

“This is a life changer,” Vigneri said.

For Webb, the work makes him feel good. For Yates, having a job helps her get out of the house more and she meets new people and makes more connections in the process.

“It makes me more confident,” Yates said.

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: $25K grant to help The Arc Ontario's FLX Premier Bottling operation