The Box of Hope (Aired on April 25, 2021)

Rachel Sawner and Tracy Keck of the First Presbyterian Crunch in Pleasant Valley visit RadioRotary to tell the story of the church’s Box of Hope, available 24/7 for anyone who needs it. The solar powered wooden Box with a tin roof, which Rachel built, contains donated personal care and hygiene products, first- aid kits, bottled water, and even pet food, all free for the taking by anyone. Donations to The Box can be made through the Church or by collection sites at the Pleasant Valley Free Library and at Innate Chiropractic of Wappingers Falls. The items are primarily those not available through SNAP (food-stamp program) or with EBT Cards from NYS. The Box is accessible outside the Church every day all day and night. It supplements the items available from local Food Pantries.

Learn more:
First Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley: http://www.pvpresby.com/
First Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PVPresbyterian
Innate Chiropractic of Wappingers Falls: https://www.goinnate.com/wappingers-falls-ny-chiropractor/
Pleasant Valley Free Library: https://pleasantvalleylibrary.org/

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April 25, 2021 · Posted in Humanitarian Service, Quality of Life  

A Nonprofit Place for Senior Living (Aired on April 4, 2021)

Executive Director Ericka Von Salews of the Vassar-Warner Home, the only nonprofit senior living residence in Dutchess County, visits RadioRotary co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser and Sarah O’Connell-Claitor for a program describing the services and remarkable story of this historic institution. The beautiful building dates from 1835 when it was built as s boys’ academy, but in 1871 it became a home for senior women. Originally Johnathan Warner operated The Old Ladies Home at the site, but in 1974, with financial help from the Smith Brothers (of cough-drop fame) the building was expanded and merged with the Vassar Home for men. Today the Vassar-Warner home, with some help from the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, is a recognized charity, which allows the home to treat and care for each resident as a member of the family rather than as a customer whose care and services are transactions. Residents do pay rent and board (low-income men and women may have it partly subsidized), and there are two levels of care available—adult homes for those in little need of medical assistance and assisted living for those who may require more help, although Vassar-Warner Home is not a nursing home, the next higher level of care.

Learn more:
Vassar-Warner Home: https://vassarwarner.org/
Adult Care Facilities (NYS): https://profiles.health.ny.gov/acf
Dutchess Country Office for the Aging: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Aging/Office-for-the-Aging.htm

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April 25, 2021 · Posted in Aging, Housing Assistance, Quality of Life  

Carmel Rotary’s Basketball Challenge (Aired on April 18, 2021)

Carmel Rotary Club President-Elect Kathleen Valletta and Carmel Rotary Jessica Vanacoro visit RadioRotary to tell about their club’s fundraiser for local charities. The Basketball Challenge. Although the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the location, so that the contest will be outdoors (in the Carmel Shoprite parking lot), in other respects the event will continue as it has for the past fourteen years.  Teams support their chosen local charities—a basket by a team member means a small contribution, although those contributions add up (foxed donations also accepted). Ninety percent of the money raised by the team through pledges goes to the specified charity with the remainder, as well as donations from event sponsors, go to the Carmel Club, who will use it also to fund good works. It is a win-win situation and a win-win program.

Learn more:
Carmel Rotary Club: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/2208
Carmel Rotary Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmelrotaryclubny
Basketball Challenge Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aaa722abfd0-carmel
ShelterBox USA: https://www.shelterboxusa.org/

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Enhancing Poughkeepsie’s Schools (Aired on April 11, 2021)

Angela Henry,

Radio Rotary Co-Host Jonah Triebwasser and Produces Kathy Kruger chat with Angela Henry, the new Executive Director of the Poughkeepsie Public Schools Foundation (PPSF). PPSF was founded in 2008 to put musical instruments in the hands of students who could not afford to rent them. Over the years the Foundation has raised and distributed over $40,000 for projects as diverse as museum field trips, the creation of school gardens, and college scholarships. In 2021, PPSF hired Ms. Henry, a local educational and nonprofit consultant, as its first paid Executive Director. She is in the process of expanding the programs of PPSF, including the Saturday Morning Lights program for younger students, which brings local talent to introduce learning as varied as yoga and urban engineering (learning about urban streets). PPSF is a nonprofit that raises the money that makes these programs possible. On May 20, 2021, the gala fundraiser feature professional and student performers will be online.

Learn more:
Poughkeepsie Public Schools Foundation: http://ppsfonline.org/
Poughkeepsie Public Schools Foundation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoughkeepsiePublicSchoolsFoundation
Poughkeepsie City School District: https://www.poughkeepsieschools.org/

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April 14, 2021 · Posted in Education, Events, Support Groups