C OVID-19 RESPONSE WEEKLY UPDATE

FROM: Jeannie Montano , President & CEO, United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region responds to COVID-19 in our community. We are using your donations immediately to provide critical help daily.
This week . . .

  • We paid for 10,000 meals for families in our community.

  • We purchased essential items for Montefiore St. Luke's Hospital's frontline staff, including hand sanitizer, soap and cleaning supplies.

  • We are purchasing grocery store gift cards for 100 students at Mount Saint Mary College who are in emergency situations due to COVID-19.

  • We committed to purchasing Chrome Books for students to continue their education online.

  • We had Joey's Pizza in Middletown deliver lunch for 60 frontline workers - the entire Diagnostic Imaging Unit - at Orange Regional Medical Center on Friday during National Public Health Week.

  • We provided cleaning supplies, basic hygiene items, no touch thermometer and masks for two community outreach centers for at-risk populations that are in an area particularly hard hit by COVID-19.

  • We are providing diapers and essential items for parents in our community.

  • United Way's 2-1-1 Helpline had 7,025 COVID-19 related calls in the past six weeks and more are received every hour.

  • We are connecting volunteers with meal delivery opportunities in our community.

  • We invite you to join us at 8:00pm on Fridays to SHINE UNITED! Light a candle, shine a light and show your support for everyone on the frontline battling against COVID-19.

  • In consultation with our partners, we have decided to postpone Pull the Plane. A new date will be announced. Until then, you can still show your support and sign up at: www.pulltheplane.org.

and we are continuing to respond to the daily needs of our community as the situation evolves.
We have raised over $81,000 in just a short time! Help us reach our $200,000 goal for the COVID-19 Dutchess Orange Community Strong Fund. We need your help now more than ever to help families impacted by COVID. Join Community Strong today!
NEW TAX ADVANTAGES FOR DONORS
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?
STAY CONNECTED VIRTUALLY WHILE WE HAVE TO SOCIAL DISTANCE
JOIN US ON FRIDAYS TO SHINE UNITED!
Shine United

Show support of all those on the frontlines of this fight against COVID-19 by "shining United" on Fridays beginning April 10 at 8PM. #ShineUnited

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