United Way Asks You to “Give 15” Minutes on Dec. 10 or 11

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region is asking shoppers at the Gallerias at Crystal Run and in Poughkeepsie to “Give 15” minutes during their weekend shopping Dec. 10 or 11 to help make a this holiday season a little brighter for their neighbors in need.

The Galleria at Crystal Run Center Court will be the site of the Middletown project from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10. In Poughkeepsie, the event will be held on the stage in front of JCPenney on the Galleria’s lower level from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sun., Dec. 11. United Way’s Annual Workplace Campaign Chair and popular 92.1 LiteFM personality Joe Daily will be on hand in Middletown from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, and in Poughkeepsie from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the events to thank Poughkeepsie shoppers for their participation in the project.

The “Give 15” project is designed by United Way to promote a spirit of giving and volunteerism to local shoppers by offering a few minutes of their time and possibly that of their children to help a neighbor. People can purchase a warm blanket for $10 and write a greeting or have their kids draw a picture on a gift tag that will wrap around the blanket to be given to shelter dwellers. Or, they can fill a toiletry bag with essential items donated by What A Store!, located in the Galleria at Crystal Run, and Jellybean Promotions of Goshen, and add a personal note on a gift tag. Gift bags will be distributed to recipients in local shelters, food and other programs in Dutchess and Orange Counties.

“It’s a great way for neighbors to help neighbors who may be facing difficult times and possibly bleak holidays for themselves and their families,” said Campaign Chair Daily. “A warm blanket with a note from a child or a gift bag of toiletries will bring not only cheer but the comforting feeling that someone in our community cares about them. It also fulfills United Way’s mission to foster community service and volunteerism from an early age for Dutchess and Orange residents.”

Event Featured Sponsors are IBM Corp. and 8 Hats High Animation & Production. Grand Sponsors are Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.; Tarshis, Catania, Liberth, Mahon & Milligram; Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Weddell; and, Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Platinum Sponsors are Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Marshall & Sterling Insurance and Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union. Silver Sponsor is Iseman Cunningham Riester and Hyde.

For more information, call Julie Wittenberg at 845-457-4774 x. 3108.

December 10: The Galleria at Crystal Run, Middletown, NY             (11:00-3:00 Center Court)

December 11: The Poughkeepsie Galleria, Poughkeepsie, NY      (10:00-2:00 Center Court)

Can't make our event but still want to sponsor a blanket?

Donate $10 now!

Connect with out partner in volunteerism, Hands On! The Hudson Valley to find other volunteer projects the whole family will enjoy.