Join us in Honoring and Giving this season

Welcome to autumn, and all of what our region has to offer! This month I’d like to highlight several events that honor those that look beyond themselves and help make the Hudson Valley a great place to work and live.

The Hudson Valley Young Professionals Committee of the Chamber is ready for their annual Toy Drive for local children. Going on now through Dec 16th, you can donate new, unwrapped toys at participating Foam & Wash locations in Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, and Wappingers Falls, or at the Chamber office. Not only will you be bringing joy to families here in the Hudson Valley, but you will get a FREE Simoniz Hot Wax & Shine Car Wash! Thank you to our sponsors Guardian Self-Storage and Foam & Wash Car Wash. All the toys will be donated to Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie and the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and benefit families right here in the Hudson Valley.

Your business can also make a difference by donating to the 24 families selected to receive assistance through Adopt-a-Family from The Chamber Foundation's Workforce Development Center Programs: Dutchess County Youth One Stop, Workforce Connections, Next Gen Career Academy or the Career Action Center at the Poughkeepsie High School. These programs assist at-risk and low-income families and individuals with employment, education and supportive services. Each business will have an opportunity to adopt one family from these programs and work with a Chamber staff member to make their wishes come true! Adopt-a-Family is accepting both gifts and monetary donations. Please reach out to Ashley Adorno at aadorno@dcrcoc.org to participate.

The global movement of Giving Tuesday is on November 29 this year, a day set aside to inspire people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. In our region, we are fortunate to have many nonprofits that make that part of their everyday work. I would also like to remind you about the important work of The Chamber Foundation, the nonprofit, community development affiliate of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Offering signature youth and professional leadership programming along with a robust scholarship program, The Chamber Foundation is proud to be a regional leader in shaping the workforce of tomorrow. If you would like to donate for Giving Tuesday or any time, see chamberfn.org/donate.
Taking place on Thursday, December 1 – the ATHENA Leadership Awards reception. Join us at Christos Catering in Poughkeepsie for a night of honoring those in our community who exemplify the ATHENA Leadership Model (ALM). The ALM includes the “Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership” and the unique way women lead: Live Authentically, Learn Constantly, Build Relationships, Foster Collaboration, Act Courageously, Advocate Fiercely, Give Back, and Celebrate. The ATHENA Awards reception is our way of recognizing honorees' accomplishments in their careers, community volunteer involvement, and willingness to serve as a mentor – especially to women in the business community. See the inside pages for full details on the honorees, and how to register for the event in December.

I hope you will find ways to enjoy our beautiful Hudson Valley this season, and in the spirit of the season, always remember to Think Local First!