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United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

UWDOR STAFF

BOARD OFFICERS

Jeannie Montano

Kevin Cleary, Board Chair Retired, IBM

Tim Eisentraut, 1st Vice Chair UPS

Catherine (Candy) E. Davies, 2nd Vice Chair Retired, SUNY New Paltz

Susan L. Howell, Treasurer UHY

Michael (Mike) Mazzuca, Secretary TEG Federal Credit Union

BOARD MEMBERS Heather Bell

Orange County Chamber of Commerce

Amy J. Berger* Retired, IBM

Jasmine Bonnell

Resorts World Catskills

Matthew Cruz

DSL Financial Services

Jasmin Davis

Sun River Health Foundation

Arthur DeDominicis, CPA

Certified Public Accountant & Consultants

Christopher Gilbert

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

Timothy (Tim) Kane* Retired, IBM

Michael Lesler

Orange Bank & Trust

Matthew Murphy

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

Marta Newkirk

Dutchess Community College

Stewart Petrovits

Blacktop Maintenance Corp.

Barry Rothfeld *

Lauren Spangler

Executive Assistant to the President & Office Manager

COMMUNITY IMPACT DEPARTMENT Rebecca Lull

Vice President of Community Impact

Stephen Bassler

Community Navigator

Sarah DiMaio

Food Security VISTA

Michelle Macina

Program Coordinator

Deidre Sepp

Food Security VISTA

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING DEPARTMENT Michelle Nepton

Vice President of Grants & Institutional Giving

Samantha Lowe-Durling

Vice President of Resource Development & Marketing

Emily Alonzo

Marketing Coordinator

Brienne Cliadakis

Business Development Manager

Isabella Hamel

Donor Development Coordinator

Susan Marchewka Director of Events

Brianna Morano

Social Media & Events Marketing Coordinator

Anne Marie Schoonhoven

Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving

Sharon Shah

Director of Development Operations

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Retired, Poughkeepsie Journal

Sue Manning

TD Bank

Jane Johnson

John Stroligo Mark Villanti

Retired, Educator * Advisory Board

President & CEO

Vice President of Finance & Administration Director of Finance

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

PROGRAM Welcome • Annie Leamy & Ryan Dutcher Pledge of Allegiance “America the Beautiful” • Sergeant Major MaryKay Messenger Invocation • The Rev Tommy Dillon, Christ Episcopal Church Centerpiece Giveaway UWDOR President & CEO • Jeannie Montano UWDOR Community Champion • Alex Geller, Red Hook Public Library “I Will Always Love You” • Sergeant Major MaryKay Messenger Mission Moment Raffle Giveaway, Part 1 Kindness Champion Awards Door Prize Giveaway Raffle Giveaway, Part 2 Closing Remarks • Jeannie Montano

Have a Wonderful Day! Spread Kindness!

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Introducing OUR EMCEES

RYAN DUTCHER

ANNE MARIE LEAMY

Anne Marie “Annie” Leamy has been hosting mornings on the radio for close to 20 years. Her rock all these years has been her husband Sean. He’s an elementary school teacher and collegiate basketball coach at Pace University. She has three boys, Michael, Christian and Aidan. Being outnumbered by the boys, she’s grateful to have her rescue dog Maple. She resides in the Hudson Valley. She’s always ready to make new friends. Find her @annieonair on social media.

Ryan Dutcher is a full time entertainer, illusionist, and comedian, born and raised in the Hudson Valley. Voted Best Comedian of the Hudson Valley two years running. Ryan loves to make people laugh. He launched his career through philanthropic work for charitable organizations and still to this day knows how important it is to be engaged in the community. You have seen him on some of your favorite TV shows and movies. He has opened for some of today’s biggest superstars, and travels the country restoring laughter and wonder! When not performing, Ryan loves spending time with his rescue pup, Copper (extra bonus points if you know who he’s named after). Wow you’re invested, you’re still reading this bio… in all seriousness thanks for reading and for being here! Connect with him on social media @illusionistryandutcher or visit www.RyanDutcher.com.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Welcome to our GUEST SPEAKER AND COMMUNITY CHAMPION ALEX GELLER

Red Hook Public Library Director

Alex Geller is the Director of the Red Hook Public Library, where he has re-imagined the library as a hub for literacy, innovation, and community connection. Under his leadership, the library has expanded inclusive programming for individuals of all abilities, launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Red Hook, established a family reading library at Northern Dutchess Hospital’s Neugarten Family Birth Center, and created the nationally recognized Naturalist-in-Residence program. Throughout his career, Alex has led award-winning initiatives in New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, Texas, and Indiana, earning the Penguin Random House Library Award for Innovation, and was voted Chronogram’s third favorite librarian for two consecutive years. He holds master’s degrees in library science and history from Indiana University and serves as Chair of the Dutchess County Library Association’s Advocacy Committee.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Welcome to our GUEST SINGER

MARYKAY MESSENGER

MaryKay Messenger is a native of Newburgh, New York, and a renowned soloist throughout the Hudson Valley region, known for her performances across classical, Broadway, jazz, and popular music genres. She was the premier vocalist for the West Point Band, having first sung with them at their season finale 1812 concert in 1980 at the age of 12. Over the years, she continued to perform as a guest vocalist for a variety of concerts until joining the Army in 1996, where she recently retired in 2025 with over 29 years of service. MaryKay’s career includes performances as a soloist on a European Summer Broadway Tour and appearances in several local musicals such as Godspell, Shenandoah, and Grease. She has also performed operatic roles at the Amato Opera Theatre in New York City, Montclair, New Jersey, and the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, New York. Throughout her military service, MaryKay had the honor of performing with world-renowned artists such as the Irish Tenors, Frank Patterson, John McDermott, Nexus percussion ensemble, soprano Sylvia McNair, and Broadway star Caissie Levy. Notably, she was a featured soloist for the West Point Band’s Bicentennial Concert at Carnegie Hall, performed with the Royal Norwegian Military Band in Oslo, Norway, and became the first American military vocalist to perform with the People’s Liberation Army Military Band in Beijing, China. In recognition of her exceptional service and contributions to her community, MaryKay has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 Women of Service for America Award, 2024 Orange County July Citizen of the Month, 2024 American Red Cross Appreciation Award, the 2020 Mount Saint Mary College 42nd Annual Community Service Award, the 2017 Orange County Women of Achievement Award, the Presidential Volunteer Awards, and the Mount Saint Mary College Distinguished Alumni Award. Her most rewarding and continuing service is honoring the Veterans through various events, especially the Hudson Valley Honor Flight missions. MaryKay is a graduate of Mount Saint Mary College and serves on the Board of the Purple Heart Honor Mission and American Red Cross Hudson Valley New York.

Thank you to our SPONSORS Premier Annual Sponsors

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. Pratt & Whitney

Annual Sponsors

CDPHP IBM Corporation Liberty Restoration PKF O’Connor Davies Resorts World Hudson Valley TD Bank UHY Ulster Savings Bank

Bronze Sponsors

Adams Fairacre Farms Kevin Cleary & Holly Wahlberg Petro Home Services

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Partner Sponsors

Bruderhof Community at Fox Hill Candy and Bill Davies Cassalina, Dolan, Cassalina & Marquis Marist University

Centerpiece Sponsor Vassar College

Media Sponsors

K104.7 Mid-Hudson News Sunrise Media WTBQ & WGHT Radio Wall Radio

Thank you to our

RAFFLE DONORS Chloe + Lois Crown Maple Hudson Valley Brewery Kendra Scott Marist University

Melzingah Tap House Poughkeepsie Grind and Café Rocky Bagel UWDOR Board of Directors

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Thank you to our

CENTERPIECE SPONSOR

VASSAR COLLEGE UWDOR: Board of Directors, Revenue Planning Committee Catherine (Candy) E. Davies

Tim Eisentraut

Kevin Cleary

Mark Villanti

2nd Vice Chair Retired, SUNY New Paltz Board Chair Retired, IBM Corporation

1st Vice Chair UPS

Retired, Educator

Matthew Cruz

DSL Financial Services

Employee Campaign Managers We want to extend our gratitude to the more than 200 individuals who have committed to manage the campaigns for your workplace. We know the hard work and commitment it takes to run a great campaign and share the work of United Way within your organization. You are the backbone of our workplace campaign.

2026 CAMPAIGN PARTNERS

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Adams Fairacre Farms* AMD American Express* AT&T* Athene USA Ball Corp* BMO Harris Bank and BMO Capital Markets BNY Mellon Community Partnership* C&S Wholesale Grocers* Carpenter & Smith Centene Corporation Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.* Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County Destination Dutchess Dutchess County Government EFCO Products Inc* Elevance Health* Emery & Webb Inc Enlarged City School District of Middletown Enterprise* Ethan Allen Workforce Solutions Family Services Inc Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc. Federal Reserve Bank of New York Global Foundries* Hannaford Supermarkets* Hickey Finn and Company Insurance* HONOR ehg Inc IBM Illinois Tool Works* James L Taylor Manufacturing Company* JC Penney JP Morgan Chase* KeyBank* Kiryas Joel Village Union Free School District Legal Services of the Hudson Valley Liberty Mutual Insurance* Liscum McCormack VanVoorhis Literacy Connections - Hudson Valley M&T Bank* Macy’s Manpower Marshall+Sterling*

Masci, Hale, and Wilson Family Dentistry Metal Container Corp* Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union Millbrook Central School District New York Life Insurance Company Newburgh Enlarged City School District O’Reilly Auto Parts onsemi Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc.* Orange Bank & Trust Company* Orange County Government Orange County Partnership Orange Ulster BOCES Pawling Corp Paychex Inc Pine Bush Central School District Port Jervis City School District Poughkeepsie Public Library District Prager Metis Price Chopper Golub* Raymond James Financial Services* Rhinebeck Bank* Spackenkill Union Free School District SUNY Orange Target TD Bank* TEG Federal Credit Union* The ARC Sullivan-Orange Counties New York Think Dutchess Alliance for Business Tompkins Financial Corporation Town of Chester Town of Hyde Park UHY* United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region UPS* USAA* Valley Central School District Verizon Walmart Wappingers Central School District Washingtonville Central School District Westage Management LLC *Indicates the organization has given a corporate gift in 2025 campaign

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Many Thanks to our members of Deidre Sepp

Serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA with United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region for four years has shown me the deep level of need in our community. More importantly, it has allowed me to respond with empathy and action - supporting local families through financial stability and food security programs. Every connection has reinforced my commitment to showing up for our neighbors and helping build a stronger, more supportive community for everyone.

Sarah DiMaio

My name is Sarah DiMaio and I work as a Food Security VISTA for AmeriCorps at United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. Before working at United Way, I had just graduated from SUNY New Paltz with my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy. I am driven to serve my community and make a local impact. I’m interested in indirect work in the nonprofit sector that builds capacity for the organization. I am so excited to see where the year takes me and what I can learn from my colleagues and time at United Way!

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

United Way Community Partners 2026-2027

EDUCATION

Goal: Develop opportunities for lifelong learning to increase skill-based development

Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County

Dress for Success (DFS) is dedicated to fostering economic independence for women. Through its comprehensive programs, DFS offers a robust network of support, professional clothing, and crucial development tools. These resources are designed to help women not only succeed in the workplace but also to flourish in all aspects of life. Participants gain invaluable skills and confidence, understanding they have the power to shape their own lives and achieve personal success.

Reading & Math Inc. DBA Ampact

Early Learning Corps is a nationally recognized, research-based early childhood program that places trained AmeriCorps members into preschool and pre-K classrooms to provide individualized support in early literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development. ELC partners with local early childhood programs, including community-based preschools, UPK classrooms, and nonprofit early learning centers.

The Art Effect

Spark Studios offers film and media arts instruction to 60 underserved teens (ages 14-19). The program also provides paid work experiences and a safe, after-school environment where participants can acquire valuable technical and workforce skills, access technology, explore creative sector careers, build positive relationships, engage in creative activities and establish community.

Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh

Youth Force is a workforce development program that addresses barriers to career and college success by providing academic support, mentoring, paid internships, college readiness, and financial literacy. It helps students gain skills, real-world experience, and guidance to navigate higher education and career pathways, fostering long-term economic stability.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

EDUCATION

Goal: Increase opportunities for positive youth development and literacy services Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County

The Green Teen Beacon Workforce Development program actively engages at-risk youth aged 14-19. Participants earn wages while developing essential vocational and employment skills. The program operates after school three times a week in the Spring and Fall, and during the day throughout the Summer. Staff members are committed to identifying and building on individual strengths, which helps youth gain the confidence and social-emotional tools necessary to manage their behaviors and navigate their social environments effectively. All activities are strategically designed for comprehensive life and vocational skills development.

CultureConnect

CommunityConnect is an after-school and summer academic enrichment program specifically designed for K-5 English as a New Language (ENL) students within the Rhinebeck and Red Hook School Districts. The program delivers essential academic support, addressing challenges that language barriers might present in the home environment. As a result, students experience improved language, reading, and writing skills, leading to increased literacy and academic performance, enhanced confidence, and better social development.

Family Services Inc.

Youth Services Program provides engaging activities that improve mental health outcomes and promote positive youth development. Through group activities, workshops, recreation, and individual therapy, the program supports social emotional development, builds resilience, bolsters skills and protective factors, and prevents youth violence using evidence-informed interventions.

Hudson River Housing Inc.

Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley Inc.

Book Buddies works to improve reading proficiency by recruiting volunteers to read individually with 3rd and 4th-grade students who are reading below their grade level. Volunteers are equipped with training on various materials to build students’ reading skills and confidence. Additionally, classroom Book Buddies volunteers engage in dialogic read-alouds, ensuring children have a positive and enriching experience with literature.

NAMI Mid-Hudson Inc.

Ending the Silence (ETS) delivers a powerful presentation to middle and high school students, featuring a certified NAMI lead presenter alongside a young adult who shares their personal story of navigating a mental health condition. This program directly addresses critical concerns including substance/alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, bullying, and the fight against stigma. By sharing these experiences, ETS works to increase awareness, alter perceptions of mental health, and cultivate essential citizenship skills that enable students to support their peers.

River Haven provides emergency shelter for runaway and homeless youth, assisting them as they collaborate with a Care Manager to either reunite with family or find alternative safe housing. The program offers a range of evidence-based Positive Youth Development opportunities and learning experiences designed to help youth heal from past trauma, acquire new skills, and cultivate protective factors essential for healthy development.

Pawling Free Library

Land to Learn

Warwick Community Bandwagon Inc. DBA Warwick Valley Community Center Educational Non Profit

SproutEd in Newburgh & Beacon offers a garden-based educational program specifically for K-2 students. The program involves maintaining school food gardens and providing lessons throughout the school year that focus on nutrition, cooking, plant science, ecology, and food systems. Its curriculum emphasizes experiential, hands-on learning, which allows students to engage in a fun and effective way to build their academic and socialemotional abilities.

Pawling Library’s Children and Young Adult Programs aim to improve social and educational outcomes for children by providing opportunities to learn, play, and interact positively with others. The staff focus on developmentally appropriate programs that utilize kids’ interests to improve the skills that will help them achieve ongoing school and career success. Literacy is a primary focus.

Life Skills for Teens is designed to cultivate internal assets and instill protective factors in teenagers. The program incorporates various prevention, educational, and cultural diversity activities, and supports students as they transition between elementary, middle, and high school. Participants engage in both community service and leadership skill-building initiatives. The program is further strengthened by the implementation of evidence-based environmental strategies and evidence-based/informed programs.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

FINANCIAL STABILITY

Goal: Improve access to resources to alleviate short-term financial crisis in order to increase local families’ economic position Catholic Charities Community Services of Dutchess County

The Financial Stability program provides a vital hotline for neighbors facing crisis and seeking to meet their basic needs. The program prioritizes direct, person-to-person communication, understanding that immediate connection is crucial during difficult times. All calls are either answered live or returned the same business day. Requests for assistance are promptly triaged by their Coordinator and Executive Director, with case managers assigned as appropriate to provide comprehensive support.

Catholic Charities of Orange, Ulster, & Sullivan

The Financial Stability program offers essential care coordination services to help vulnerable individuals and families achieve financial security. They provide crucial support like rental assistance, utility assistance, and financial crisis intervention for challenges such as medical expenses, eviction, or homelessness. By addressing these critical needs, they empower children to thrive and enable families to become more engaged, contributing members of their community.

Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County Inc.

The Crisis Intervention for Low-Income Families program offers emergency financial assistance to families facing economic hardship. It also provides essential case management support to guide them out of crisis and toward stability. Many families are currently struggling to maintain housing and utility payments as the post-pandemic recovery continues to be difficult and protracted.

Jewish Family Services of Orange County Inc.

Coordinated System of Services offers a one-time financial aid solution for families and individuals facing temporary financial challenges. Applications are meticulously reviewed by a committee, which evaluates documentation of the short-term circumstance and the applicant’s potential for self-sufficiency post-assistance. Payments are disbursed directly to landlords, utility providers, or for auto-related costs.

Fearless! Hudson Valley

Financial Assistance Program (FAP) supports access to emergency financial assistance for the crisis intervention needs of victims and survivors engaged with Fearless! services. The program is intended to increase access to safety and sustainability by minimizing the harmful and ongoing impacts of intimate partner victimization and abuse, including financial/economic injury.

Grace Smith House

Meets Basic Needs helps survivors of domestic violence stabilize their lives. The program provides direct financial assistance to resolve impending financial crises, while also offering the necessary support and services to empower them and their children toward building a solid foundation of financial stability and independence from their abuser.

Hudson River Housing Inc.

Housing Navigator program provides emergency housing assistance to low-income households. The Housing Navigator works closely with households to help them develop housing stability plans tailored to their needs. The Navigator may assist them in applying for public benefits, connect them with employment opportunities and/or refer them to child care, health care, legal services and other community resources.

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

Income Stabilization and Homelessness Prevention offers legal assistance to individuals who have been incorrectly denied or terminated from public assistance programs, including TANF, SNAP/Food Stamps, WIC, Unemployment Insurance, Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and Veterans Benefits. The program also provides Emergency Cash Assistance for rental and utility arrears and handles Consumer Law cases. This ultimately stabilizes household incomes at a subsistence level.

FINANCIAL STABILITY Goal: Increasing annual earnings and workplace advancement of individuals and families in our region Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition

Through the CA$H Coalition Program, low and moderate-income residents receive crucial support with free tax preparation. The program is designed to assist them in identifying and claiming every refund applicable to their personal tax situation.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

HEALTH

Goal: Increase access to healthy food for families in our community Common Ground Farm

The Beacon Schools Food Access program actively works to ensure vulnerable students receive fresh, nutritious food. Each Friday, the program distributes groceries to students, providing essential food for their weekends. Furthermore, it engages families in broader food access initiatives by supplying double-up coupons and market cards for use at the Beacon Farmers’ Market.

Food Bank of The Hudson Valley

The Food for Dutchess & Orange County Feeding Program aims to provide nutritious food to low-income residents of Dutchess and Orange Counties through local food pantries and soup kitchens. The program achieves this by funding lines of credit at the Food Bank for these agencies. This funding covers handling fees for donated food and the cost of purchased food, allowing agencies to serve more people.

Food for Kids

Food For Kids supports an average of 250 students each week within the Washingtonville Central School District’s five buildings. The program offers sufficient provisions to cover two breakfasts, two lunches, beverages, and snacks for the weekend. For extended holiday weekends or school breaks, extra food is distributed. During the summer, the program supplied breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks for a six-week duration.

North East Community Center

The Food Access Program is dedicated to distributing fresh food across Northeast Dutchess. It operates a food pantry that provides both weekly walk-in service and convenient home delivery. The program partners with farms to ensure the sourcing of fresh foods that align with cultural needs. Food distribution occurs in environments designed to uphold dignity, foster self-efficacy, and offer comprehensive wraparound services. Additionally, the program’s hub actively supports coalition efforts aimed at enhancing the resilience and equity of the regional food system.

Pawling Resource Center

The PRC Pantry and Food Bank Program provides a food pantry accessible to individuals and families connected to Pawling/ Holmes, NY, whether through residence, employment, schooling, or church attendance. The pantry offers clients access twice a month, with hours from 10 AM to 4 PM on weekdays (extended to 5 PM on Wednesdays), and from 10 AM to 12 PM on the second Saturday of each month. For homebound clients, food delivery is also available twice a month when requested.

Poughkeepsie Farm Project

The City FRESH program actively works to remove obstacles to healthy food choices, simultaneously encouraging healthy eating and lifestyle habits for youth and families. This is accomplished through providing access to nutritious foods, with a special emphasis on fresh vegetables, and by delivering positive, engaging learning experiences at PFP, PCSD schools, and throughout the community.

Second Chance Foods

Nourishing Dutchess and Orange serves individuals and families struggling with food insecurity by increasing the amount of nutrient-dense food available. Our innovative model reduces food waste and connects more food to the community that needs it by rescuing available surplus from grocery stores, retail markets, wholesalers, and local farms. Then, we redistribute fresh produce and groceries to the community.

VETERANS

Increase accessibility to affordable housing and legal services for veterans and their families Hudson River Housing Inc.

VetZero Program aids low-income veterans who are homeless or nearly so, with the primary goal of securing stable housing. It achieves this by providing vital services such as outreach, housing counseling, assistance with upfront housing costs, transportation, benefit support, and service linkages. This enables the program to quickly transition veterans into housing and offer the ongoing support required for them to maintain housing stability.

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

Civil Legal Services for Veterans/Military Families provides free, comprehensive civil legal services to veterans and military family members residing in Dutchess and Orange County. These services span a range of practice areas, including Public Benefits/ Income Stabilization; Housing/Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention, and Intensive STEHP Casework Services (Orange County only); Domestic Violence/Family Law; Disability Law; Elder Law; LGBTQ; and Veterans & Military Families Law.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

COMMUNITY RESOURCES ALICE Report

For a growing number of New York households, financial stability is nothing more than a pipe dream, no matter how hard their members work. These households are ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – earning above the Federal Poverty Level yet struggling to afford basic expenses. The United for ALICE report is a research study that measures this financial hardship right here in our communities.

Crisis Fund

We work with partner agencies to offer one-time grants or direct financial assistance to help individuals facing various emergencies. This can include help with vital medications, bills and other urgent financial needs. This fund helps ensure that children and families have access to their essential needs.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

The Imagination Library aligns with United Way’s Early Childhood Literacy Initiative to spark a love of learning in young children. This incredible program sends a free, high quality, age-appropriate book directly to participating children’s homes every month. Each book is addressed to them, creating a special moment of discovery and fostering a lifelong love of reading. United Way launched the program in 2025 and since then has impacted over 500 participating children.

Essential Supply Hub

The Hub is a central location that collects, stores and distributes essential items to local organizations in need. This ensures that resources are efficiently allocated to those who require them most. These items typically include books, baby/youth supplies, household items, clothing, hygiene products, bedding and more.

Hudson Valley 2-1-1 Helpline

A free, confidential, multilingual service to assist the public in finding the answers to a variety of health and human services related questions. It is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Mid-Hudson Valley Community Profiles

Community Profiles is an indicator project and resource that assesses our Mid-Hudson Valley region to quantify strengths and challenges, and help determine priorities and launch communitywide discussions about improving quality of life.

Ride United

Transportation is a fundamental part of life, yet not everyone has equal access to it. United Way created Ride United in 2018 to address the unmet transportation needs of individuals and families and help people in need get critical rides – to food pantries, doctor’s appointments, education programs, job interviews, and housing services.

SingleCare Pharmacy Savings Card

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region is proud to partner with SingleCare to provide community members with access to affordable prescription medications, ensuring greater health and financial stability.

Social Care Navigation

Get immediate support, right from your phone! Our free 20-30 minute phone screening is the fastest, easiest way to connect with the helpful resources and support you need. Individuals are eligible for our services if you’re enrolled in Medicaid and need one or more of the health-related social assistances listed here: nutrition counseling, emergency food, emergency housing, transportation support, mental health support and more.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Celebrating our 2026

KINDNESS CHAMPIONS

Andrea Cucci

Cecilia Deferrari

“The way we show up matters. One positive interaction can change the direction of someone’s day, and that kindness can continue to spread in ways we may never even see.”

“Kindness as a foundational value means that I wonder about how my actions will amplify the greatest happiness possible.”

Amy Dittmar

Christina Goebel

“Kindness does not have to be a grand gesture, it can come in a smile or simple good morning, an unexpected gift given just because, or a helping hand where it is needed most.”

“Kindness has the power to restore dignity, build trust, and change lives.”

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Robbie Jacobs

Margaret Kranz

Amanda Lopez

“Kindness means living a life of gratitude and thinking that what I have is enough, and therefore giving the rest of it to people who need it.”

“My mom always told me to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes and you won’t judge them so harshly. I have always tried to live by that advice and practice kindness to the best of my ability.”

“To me, kindness means putting a smile on others faces and warmth in their hearts”

Angie Martinez

Laura Nicholls

Yalitza Sepulveda

“To me, kindness is love in action. It is choosing to care, choosing to understand, and choosing not to give up on someone when they may have given up on themselves.”

“It doesn’t take any effort to offer a smile, a word of encouragement or a simple deed to make someone feel wanted, cherished and/or valued.”

“I’ve come to understand that kindness isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about consistency, about choosing generosity as a way of moving through the world rather than a onetime act.”

Annual Sponsors

STRENGTHENING

our neighborhoods

CDPHP® is proud to support United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. Thank you for all you do to improve lives throughout our community. www.cdphp.com

Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Inc. Capital District Physicians’ Healthcare Network, Inc. CDPHP Universal Benefits,® Inc.

Annual Sponsors

We are proud to support United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region.

845.338.6322 UlsterSavings.com EQUAL HOUSING LENDER / MEMBER FDIC

Annual Sponsors

Proud to Support United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Michelle S. O’Reilly, Partner 845.565.5400 moreilly@pkfod.com

pkfod.com

Bronze Sponsors

Bronze and Partner Sponsors

Farm Market • Garden Center

POUGHKEEPSIE | KINGSTON | NEWBURGH | WAPPINGER | MIDDLETOWN adamsfarms.com

Marist University honors United Way of the Dutchess–Orange Region for its transformative contributions to our community.

INSPIRED TO DO MORE

Partner Sponsors

When you’re ready to make a difference, we’re ready to help Merrill Lynch is proud to support United Way Dutchess-Orange Region Community Breakfast. What would you like the power to do?® Cassalina, Dolan, Cassalina & Marquis Marc P Cassalina, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Management Advisor 845.431.2204 marc_cassalina@ml.com

GOODBYE DOLLY! Honoring a great lady with a big heart. Thank you for your ongoing gift of literacy through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library! And thank you UWDOR for growing lifelong readers through our local Hudson Valley libraries.

WWW. BRUDERHOF.COM

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 2649 SOUTH ROAD POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601 https://advisor.ml.com/sites/ny/poughkeepsie/cdcm_group

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, and Member SIPC. MLPF&S is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. The Bull Symbol, Merrill and What would you like the power to do? are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation; all other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S. © 2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. 8665658 Vault-BA119YX | TEMP-12-25-0265 MLWM-243-AD | 01/2026

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United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Local impact for lasting change

We are proud to partner with the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region to help support the health, education, and financial stability of our local community. Together we’re improving life where we live and work. When we connect, we all move forward. Learn more at rtx.com/community