United Way
United Way
of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Summer 2016
In this Issue
Gov. Clinton Elementary Book Buddies, volunteers, students, and teachers.
CelebrationofReadingA Celebration of Reading
Book Buddies, helping to instill the love of reading in children
On June 16th at Gov. Clinton Elementary School, Book Buddies volunteers and students gathered to celebrate more than 750 hours of reading they have done together.  Book Buddies, sponsored by Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley, a United Way nonprofit partner, is a program that gives elementary school students the opportunity to read one-on-one with an adult volunteer. Mr. David Scott, Principal of Gov. Clinton Elementary, and Mrs. Julie Falco, Reading Specialist, thanked Book Buddies' volunteers for partnering with Gov. Clinton Elementary School in their focus on Mission Literacy and for instilling a love of reading in the children.
Judy Connolly, Kevin Cleary, Julie Falco
visitA Visit to Book Buddies
Throughout the year, United Way schedules site visits to see funded nonprofit partner programs in action. In June, United Way Board 2nd Vice Chair and Leadership Society Member Kevin Cleary, Vice President of Sales at IBM, visited Book Buddies at Gov. Clinton Elementary School.

Following his visit, Mr. Cleary commented, "My thanks to Judy Connolly and all the Book Buddies volunteers who spend thousands of hours each year helping elementary students in Dutchess and Orange Counties (NY) improve their reading skills."

UWDOR team drops off donations to Gov. Clinton Elementary School's Nurse Alyssa O'Donnell & Principal David Scott.
communityinaction Our Community in Action
In a little under two weeks, YOU provided hygiene supplies for students-in-need in Newburgh & Poughkeepsie
On Friday, June 3rd United Way received a call from the school nurse at a local elementary school. She wanted to know if we could help (or find someone to help) provide the very basic necessities for some of the students there. She said that many of the children did not have underwear or socks and while she had some on hand during the school year (that she purchased herself), she hoped that the children would be able to go home for summer vacation with brand new packages. 

That call was the impetus to the Summer Hygiene Kit Supply Drive. We sent out an email and you responded with overwhelming generosity. In addition to the elementary school, we contacted two city school districts (Poughkeepsie and Newburgh) and expanded the drive to help stock their closets for the summer, because they are open year-round for the students of the district. 

To date (and donations are still arriving), United Way has received (and distributed) 501 bars of soap, 314 multi-packages of underwear, 210 multi-packages of socks, 300 deodorants, 287 bottles of shampoo, 72 bottles of conditioner, 265 toothbrushes and 178 tubes of toothpaste, 97 bottles of body wash, 81 sunscreens, 87 combs and 20 brushes, 50 razors, and 20 bottles of lotion.
Matt Paquet and the YLU Team making a difference!
Matt Paquet of Young Leaders United shares why he volunteers with United Way
Matt Paquet has been a devoted UWDOR supporter and a part of Young Leaders United for nearly eight years. As the current chair, he ensures the group of community leaders gets out there and lives their mission, to support the work of UWDOR and foster a spirit of community involvement among the next generation of leaders. For two years in a row, they've teamed up with the Hudson Valley Young Professionals to revitalize the City of Poughkeepsie.

The volunteer group collected nearly 40 bags of trash from the "Middle Main" area of Poughkeepsie as part of National Volunteer Week and Earth Day. The trash collection went a long way towards beautifying the city. Matt felt inspired as local residents of the area "kept commending us for our efforts during the Middle Main Cleanup!"
ocffwarmYou helped warm your neighbor's home and heart this winter
Although it was a mild winter compared to many in the recent past, many Hudson Valley residents wondered if their fuel would last until spring. Then there is Raymond, a senior citizen from Middletown, who dreaded the time when the temps would fall. 

"Pat Fayo (Director of Energy Initiatives at United Way) is like a guardian angel to me. I'm going to be 75 this year. Last year in February I had to go without fuel when it was so cold. I was so afraid I'd catch pneumonia and that would be the end."

He said his other concern was that, "I thought my companions, my two dogs and parrots might die. My neighbors gave me electric blankets and heaters. Pat tried so hard last year, but I made $75 too much to qualify for the Fuel Fund. There was no way I could afford to get fuel and it was so expensive last year." 
markyourcalendarMark Your Calendar!
Back-to-School
Backpack Drive

Now through Aug 1st


OCT 22, 2016
We are looking for donations of school supplies, including
crayons, pencils and erasers, markers, glue, child-safe scissors, pocket folders, and notebooks. These may be dropped off to either our Poughkeepsie or Montgomery offices through August 1st. For more information, go to

Please join us for the 2016 Campaign for the Common Good Kick-Off Breakfast to be held at The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. We'll be honoring two amazing Community Champions, highlighting the work of three nonprofit organizations, and celebrating YOUR work in creating a better community.  Tickets and sponsorships available.  For information, go to
 
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This is the 4th fall that United Way teams will be volunteering to make a difference. 
Visit our volunteer
portal to learn about available
opportunities 
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