FROM: Jeannie Montano, President & CEO, United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region
Please give what you can to help us meet our $200,000 goal. The need in our community is still growing, even as we reopen. Every gift makes a difference in someone's life.
COVID-19 RESPONSE BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region responds daily to COVID-19 requests in our community. We use your donations to provide critical help to those in greatest need. Now during the reopening and recovery phases, we continue to help those who are struggling to provide food for their families and keep them safe.
Since August 4 we have: 

  • Provided hand sanitizer and Purell wipes to two local nonprofits to help ensure that 415 members of their staff and youth are safe.

  • Purchased PPE for a local nonprofit to protect 200 members of its staff and vulnerable clients.

  • Purchased protective face masks to ensure that two local nonprofits had protection for 115 members of their staff and clients.

  • Distributed PPE and necessities for 2749 families and children, providing undergarments, clothing, diapers, wipes, blankets, sneakers, sanitizer and masks through our No Contact Day of Sharing Program. Contact Rebecca Lull (rlull@uwdor.org or 845-471-1900 ext 3113) for more information about this program that serves nonprofits, faith-based organizations and schools. Arrangements must be made in advance.

  • United Way’s free confidential 24/7 2-1-1 Helpline has received 12,832 COVID-19 related calls over the past 24 weeks. This week callers are still seeking information on COVID-19. Re-opening is generating a new set of questions as well as increased anxiety on the part of frontline workers returning to work and fearful of exposure. Food insecurity accounted for 30% of all calls last week.

  • Thank you for joining us to deliver help to 86,124 people in Dutchess and Orange counties since March 12. Together we are #DOCommunityStrong against COVID-19.

and we are continuing to respond to the daily needs of our community as the situation evolves.

  • Do you know someone who pays it forward all the time? Is kindness your mission? September 4th is the deadline for nominations for the first UWDOR Kindness Champion. Go to www.uwdor.org/nominate-2020-kindness-champion to nominate someone today. Voting is open to the community from 9/8-9/28 with the winner announced on 9/30 at our Community Breakfast (www.uwdor.org/breakfast2020).

  • Remember to be counted! Make sure to complete the U.S. Census. See details below.


  • Did you miss our Financial Literacy Workshop: Navigating Household Finances last week with Ulster Savings Bank's Abby Paul and Brad Umble? Don't worry, just go to www.uwdor.org/financialliteracy to watch the presentation with link to the presentation slides.
Thank you! With your help we are making a difference in people's lives every day! For more information: www.uwdor.org/covidhelp
There is a new financial incentive for Americans to give generously to qualifying charities, including United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region and many of our community partners. The new universal tax break for charitable donations was included in the final $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package signed into law last week and will go into effect starting with the 2020 tax year. The measure grants taxpayers an above-the-line deduction for up to $300 in charitable donations given in 2020. For example, if you take the standard deduction and give $300 to charity, you will get a $300 tax break in addition to the standard deduction.
DO YOU NEED HELP?
2-1-1 Helpline  • Click here to Add Resource  •  Business Resources • Childcare for Essential Personnel  • Crisis Support • Donate • Employment Opportunities, & Unemployment Insurance • Facebook Group • Farmers' Markets • Food Pantries and Meal Delivery • Grants for Specific Workers Impacted by COVID  • Health, Healthcare, Mental Health and Insurance  • Internet Access (free) • Learning Support for Children • Legal Services • Masks  •  New Tax Advantage for Donors  • Newspaper (free COVID-19 stories) • Nonprofit Resources  • Public Transportation  • Rent Relief  • Restaurants Offering Take-Out and Delivery  •  School Meals  •  Summer Meals • Senior Shopping Venues and Home Delivered Meals  •  Scam Alerts • Shine United • Taxes • Tourism  • United Through Reading  • Utilities & Energy Assesment  •  Veterans and Military • Virtual Conferencing • Volunteer Opportunities
STAY CONNECTED VIRTUALLY WHILE WE HAVE TO SOCIAL DISTANCE
CONTACT US
United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region's Annual Community Breakfast is virtual on Wed, Sept 30! Nominations for UWDOR's Kindness Champion are open through Sept 4: www.uwdor.org/nominate-2020-kindness-champion

Go to www.uwdor.org/breakfast2020 for more information and to register.
SEE WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING
WHO IS ALICE?
NAVIGATING HOUSEHOLD FINANCES
Thanks to the following for their support of our community through United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region’s Dutchess Orange Community Strong COVID-19 Fund:
And with thanks for support from our media partners
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It's not too late. You can still be counted.

Complete the 2020 Census to ensure our communities receive the federal aid, grants and support they are entitled to by your participation in the census. All information collected by the Census Bureau is confidential and protected under law.

Some local communities that have "hard to count" areas are sharing direct links and information.