Thanks to everyone who attended our Annual Community Breakfast on Tuesday, September 24th at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. You truly made a difference and helped raise almost $52,000 for this year’s workplace campaign! 
We honored two amazing Community Champions, Dr. Pamela Edington (President, Dutchess Community College) and Dr. Kristine Young (President, SUNY Orange), and two inspiring Champion Nonprofits, The Art Effect and Cornerstone Family Healthcare. There was a surprise flashmob performance of “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray , by students from the Dutchess Community College Performing Arts A.S Degree Program. Our two Community Champions received a surprise gift of $5,000 scholarships to their respective colleges from KeyBank’s David Lewing. In addition, Jeanne Montano announced the new United Way Emergency Fund for College Students. (Go to her story below for more information.) We’d also like to extend our thanks to all of our sponsors and journal advertisers and hope you will support them. Please view and share the photos and videos . With thanks to Video Sponsor, Tompkins Mahopac Bank .
From the President's And CEO's Desk
by Jeannie Montano

Last year, I met Angela, who helped inspire our new College Student Emergency Fund. Three years earlier, Angela had been in a toxic, abusive relationship. She knew she had to leave for her daughter’s sake and took a second job, saving everything so it would be possible to pay for the deposit, security and first month’s rent on an apartment. Once she had saved enough, Angela and her daughter Shanna moved out and began their new life. 
FUN WAYS TO ENGAGE EMPLOYEES DURING CAMPAIGNS!
“Special FUNdraisers” add an exciting component to traditional campaigns and help companies reach higher donation goals. RBT CPAs offers employees Live United Tee Shirts, Dress Down Days and Bingo Cards for additional donations. Orange Bank & Trust allows employees to purchase a Day Off when they pledge as well as a half day off if they increase their pledge. Central Hudson has used a snack cart to sell afternoon treats. Adams Fairacre Farms added carnival games this year, including a Dunk Tank and Jousting. From Dress Down Days to Special Parking Spots, extra perks can go a long way in thanking employees for their United Way contributions. Thank you to all our campaign managers for using creativity to make campaigns FUN! For more fun ideas, click here . For more information about running a United Way workplace campaign at your organization, contact Campaign Director Elizabeth Manning at
845-471-1900 ext 3116 or email emanning@uwdor.org .
MAKING AN IMPACT!
The Ribbon Cutting and Dedication of the Day of Sharing and Louis Greenspan Children’s Corner was held on September 6th with almost 70 community members, including donors, nonprofit partners and elected officials in attendance. Everyone had a chance to tour the newly renovated space. The next day, the first Day of Sharing in 9 months was held with 100 plus representatives from nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations finding items for their clients. Read more.
The next weekend, United Way hosted the Military Family Night Out at the Warwick Valley Community Center, presented through a grant from HERoes in Deed. More than 100 veterans and active military personnel joined us for this family friendly barbecue. There were games, music by Jerry the Bulldog and a commemoration of 9-11. We are grateful to the volunteers from UPS Freight in Montgomery, who helped us prepare and serve the food.  Read more.
United Way continues to partner with financial institutions to present Financial Literacy workshops and seminars . In partnership with Ulster Savings Bank and Pathstone, we presented a First-TIme Homebuyers workshop in Spanish in Newburgh. Almost 40 people attended this workshop presented by Jose Lemus, Ulster Savings Bank’s Newburgh Branch Manager. In partnership with Rhinebeck Savings, United Way presented a First-Time Homebuyers workshop in English in Poughkeepsie. Around 25 people attended this workshop led by Rhinebeck Bank’s Vice President of Mortgage Lending Vincent Aurigemma.Next month we’ll be presenting another program with Rhinebeck Bank with author John Panzella on Better Credit. To register got to www.uwdor.org/bettercredit.

Thanks to a grant from AmerisourceBergen Foundation, United Way convened Resilient Communities , a conversation around challenges that students face today. More than 100 representatives of schools, nonprofit organizations and community members joined the conversation held at Mount Saint Mary College. Click here to learn more about the event.

Make A Difference Week, sponsored by Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation , saw teams of volunteers from local businesses roll up their sleeves and devote their time to making a real difference at some of our community partners. Click here to learn more about the teams and the impact they made during Make A Difference Week, powered by United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region.

For more information on how your business can volunteer, call 845-471-1900 ext 3106, email cnicoletti@uwdor.org or go to volunteer.uwdor.org .
WHY WE GIVE ... 
Meet José
JosĂ© never feels as proud as when he and his abuela make dinner together — with vegetables he grew in his own garden! JosĂ© and his family watch every penny and they rarely had fresh vegetables for dinner as they were too expensive. After taking part in a school garden program, Jose dug a small garden in their backyard, planting seeds his teacher had given him. When the tomatoes and greens were ready to harvest, Jose ran into the kitchen with them. 

Together he and his abuela cook dinner most evenings. She tells him stories about her garden in Puerto Rico and all the things they grew. Thanks to the United Way supported school garden program, JosĂ© and his family are learning to eat healthier and spend more quality time together. 
Meet Carla
Carla couldn’t talk to anyone about the way she felt. Her family didn’t believe in depression or mental illness and just told her to keep busy and be happy. During a school presentation, she heard from someone who grew up in a family like hers. Someone who not only considered suicide, but had tried to kill herself. For the first time, Carla realized that there was someone who could understand her. She wasn’t alone. 

After the special presentation ended, Carla spoke to this caring adult about what she was going through. She received information about people to talk with who could help her. Carla found support and is now doing well in school. Without your donations to United Way, this school presentation might not have taken place and Carla would not have received the help she desperately needed. 
Thank you to our Annual Sponsors!

If you would prefer to be mailed a paper copy, please email your request to Emily Darrow at edarrow@uwdor.org. Please include your name and postal mailing address. Thank you!