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