Come Thank These Great Volunteers, Feb. 17, 4-5:30, Family Partnership Center

Sue West, President

From Sue West’s Desk

If you live in the Hudson Valley, I’d like you to join me on February 17 when Family Services will be honoring the volunteers who give of their time and talents to make it possible for people in the Valley to help themselves manage some of the toughest problems families have to face.

Every year we hold a reception to say thank you to Family Services’ volunteers. In addition, our employees nominate two volunteers to honor for outstanding service to the community. This year we honor Sarah Beaumont and Dennis Dean.

Volunteering comes from the heart, from the passion a person feels for some issue or the compassion they have for people in need.

Sarah’s passion is helping victims of domestic violence. For four years, starting as an intern, she has volunteered on the hotline, counseled victims, advocated for their rights, educated legislators, provided childcare so mothers attend the Battered Women’s support group, participated in teen dating violence prevention education for middle and high school students, and helped to train new volunteers.  And, that doesn’t count adopting a family at Christmas.

In addition to her time and energy, Sarah brings a special understanding and knowledge of working with women and children with disabilities. She has done all this while finishing college, establishing herself as a young graduate, and starting a career.

Dennis’s passion is Poughkeepsie’s adolescents – providing them not only safety, hot food, and recreation at TRAC every day, but nurturing and mentoring them so that they can learn to be good citizens and parents in the future. You may know Dennis as a TRAC employee, but his commitment far exceeds a paid gig. When funding for TRAC evaporates, as it did last October, Dennis volunteers. As he pointed out, if we closed TRAC’s doors, we would never get them open again. He made the commitment to keep the center functioning with the same high standards established with a paid staff.

I’d like you to join me in thanking Sarah and Dennis and the many other volunteers they represent. They are helping all of us as we cope with crises, challenges, and growing pains. I hope to see you there.

Family Services Volunteer Appreciation Reception

February 17, 2011 (Snow date: 1/24)

4:00 to 5:30 pm

Family Partnership Center Cafeteria

29 North Hamilton Street

Poughkeepsie

No RSVP required