Board Views by Dave Jolly

Over the past 15 years I have had the pleasure of being involved in the United Way, through campaign as a donor as well as on the Board of Directors. As a social worker who has been involved in the field of human services for more than 25 years, I can attest to the power of each dollar that I have been able to spare and contribute to the United Way over these years. 

My dollars have turned into food for children as they leave school for a weekend. Now they no longer worry about not having enough to eat over the course of the weekend, when school is not in session. My dollars have been used to purchase books and services that encourage reading for children in communities where new books are difficult to acquire. My dollars have been used to create a gardening program, in which children and their families engage in learning not only how to grow their own produce, but also how to make healthier choices when it comes time to prepare their meals. 

My dollars have been used to lend a helping hand to people who were struggling to pay their fuel bills, to maximize the disposable income through the Earned Income Tax Credit, to buy prescriptions for our homeless individuals without access to insurance.

Alone, my dollars are helpful and appreciated, but when combined with thousands of other United Way donors, my dollars turn into thousands of dollars, and thousands of ways to help those in need.   Regardless of how much one can give, your dollar, when given to the United Way, is matched with many others in your community, creating significant possibilities for change, empowering those in our community who need assistance and most importantly going a long way towards improving the lives throughout the Dutchess and Orange County region. 

Your donation of money, time and energy is appreciated not only by the United Way, but for the thousands of people we are providing assistance to every year.

*Board Views is a new feature for United Way's newsletter. In each issue, different board members will share their views of and involvement with United Way.

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