United Way sponsors Children’s Book Drive

From United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region:

POUGHKEEPSIE & MONTGOMERY, NY — United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region launched its fall Book Drive for new and gently used children’s books (ages 0-8) on September 15th at the Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast. The Book Drive runs through November 15th with the goal to have 1,000 new children’s books as well as many more gently used children’s books to stock the shelves at United Way for distribution in the community for the coming year.

The community’s response has been wonderful and United Way would like to thank everyone who has answered our request so generously, including employees at The Culinary Institute of America who donated seven cartons of books, Allstate Insurance agents who have opened up their offices to serve as book drops, a Marist College professor who is encouraging students to bring books to class, and to the Children’s Writers Group of the Hudson Valley whose members donated many of their own books as well as gently used ones. These are just a few of the many generous individuals, businesses and organizations who have responded to date.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region also welcome the donation of gently used books. Last year, United Way distributed more than 10,000 books to our Community Partners, placing them in the hands of children most in need. We do need to restock our shelves, so that students in Literacy Connections' Book Buddies program have books they can take home; so that NDI/YouthBuild/Americorps' Community Free Library boxes on the streets of Poughkeepsie remain well-stocked; and Astor Services for Children and Families have additional children’s books to share with their clients. These are just three of the many programs that have received books from United Way over the past year.

If you would like more information, go to www.uwdor.org or call United Way at 845-471-1900 ext 3120 or 3114. Please check your bookshelves for appropriate books to bring to a collection point through November 15th during business hours (M - Fri from 9am - 5pm). Book Drive collection points include United Way offices in Poughkeepsie (75 Market Street) and Montgomery (30 Scott’s Corners Drive) as well as these Allstate Insurance offices: Tom McHugh Allstate Insurance, 702 Freedom Plains Road, Poughkeepsie; Allstate Insurance: Annalisa Romano, 1012c Main Street, Fishkill; Allstate Insurance: Glen Valente, 320 Main Street, Cornwall; Allstate Insurance: Lori Buhagiar, 125 Dolson Ave, Middletown.

Image via United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region.