Food, gifts, utility payments: How Holiday Helping Hand is assisting Dutchess County residents

Nikole Johannesen remembers reading that “heart-wrenching” letter to Santa.

The writer, a young girl living in a rental unit run by Hudson River Housing, had two wishes: To see her father in prison and to receive a doll her family couldn’t afford.

“We were able, with Holiday Helping Hand, to go find her one of these dolls,” said Johannesen, vice president of resident and vocational services at Hudson River Housing. “It's something that she'd wanted for so long, and sometimes people can't afford the popular toy of the holiday season. Her face just lit up, and it was just a very moving moment for all of us there.”

As the holiday season approaches once more, Hudson River Housing will be able to count on assistance from Holiday Helping Hand once more.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Holiday Helping Hand, a collaborative effort between the Poughkeepsie Journal and the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. The annual drive raises funds to distribute to Dutchess County charities, enabling holiday programs, gatherings and other charitable work.

Last year’s campaign raised more than $40,700, with money split between 32 charities. This year's programs include food gift baskets timed to Thanksgiving and Christmas, utility vouchers to assist with soaring energy costs, gift cards for purchasing warm clothing and essentials, holiday parties, and even a program in which children of incarcerated individuals receive gifts while visiting their parents.

How to help: Click here to donate to Holiday Helping Hand

Thanksgiving help: Amid daunting need, these Dutchess groups helped brighten the holiday

City: A community fridge for Poughkeepsie started by students: How it works, how to donate

Hudson River Housing received $1,500 from Holiday Helping Hand this year. Johannesen expects to assist up to 75 children through gift cards, as well as the organization’s annual Christmas party.

“Santa comes and every child gets a present, something age-appropriate or something they’ve asked for,” she said. “All parents get a present on Christmas Eve that they can give to their kids that day or put under the Christmas tree.”

Allowing parents to be part of the process is a key component of Hudson River Housing’s charity efforts.

“It empowers the families, it makes them feel like it's a special time of year,” Johannesen said. “They're able to provide for their children. They are able to see their kid light up on Christmas Day when they open up the present.”

Need grows during pandemic

Another beneficiary of Holiday Helping Hand, Dutchess Outreach received $1,500 through Holiday Helping Hand, which will be used to purchase $25 gift cards for 60 children.

Tara Whalen, the organization’s associate executive director, said these gift cards for Marshalls department store give families the opportunity to purchase something special for these children, whether it's a toy, clothing or something they really need.

“They can get something for their children and pick it out,” she said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, Dutchess Outreach found the number of people using its food pantry and meal program increased 200%, according to Whalen.

“Our pantry has grown; it’s now self-shopping so folks can come in and shop themselves to get what they choose instead of a pre-packed bag,” she said. “Last month, we served over 1,100 households through our food pantry.”

This growth has only emphasized the growing need in the community in the wake of the pandemic. Likewise, Hudson River Housing witnessed a similar impact over the past couple years.

“I think there's a great need for affordable housing in this area,” she said. “And I think that's what keeps and holds a lot of people back is to find affordable housing. So that is something that is desperately needed.”

How to donate to Holiday Helping Hand

For four decades, Holiday Helping Hand, a joint venture between the Poughkeepsie Journal and United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, has funded Dutchess County programs that assist local kids and families in having a happy holiday season, through the generosity of local donors. The donations through this season will fund programs next year that include warm clothing, gift card and utility bill payment giveaways, and holiday parties.

To donate, visit uwdor.org/hhh or mail a check to Holiday Helping Hand, United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, 75 Market St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Checks should be made payable to Holiday Helping Hand.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Holiday Helping Hand: How to donate to Dutchess charities