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United Way Volunteers Celebrate Read Across America Day In Dutchess

DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y.  -- United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region and six nonprofit partner organizations teamed up at nine locations and read to more than 750 students in celebration of the 20th anniversary of National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday

County Executive Marc Molinaro reads to children at the Catharine Street Community Center in Poughkeepsie.

County Executive Marc Molinaro reads to children at the Catharine Street Community Center in Poughkeepsie.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Poughleepsie Mayor Rob Rolison celebrates "The Cat In The Hat" with Krieger Elementary School students.

Poughleepsie Mayor Rob Rolison celebrates "The Cat In The Hat" with Krieger Elementary School students.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Students from Dutchess and Orange counties joined millions of their peers across the country to hear some of their favorite stories read aloud.

In addition to giving Cat in the Hat pencils to each of the students, United Way volunteers distributed hundreds of children's books that community members donated during the fall book drive, according to a release from United Way.

The NEA’s Read Across America day celebrates a joy of reading and a love of learning – both epitomized by Dr. Seuss, the release said. This is the third year that United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region participated in Read Across America Day.

The nonprofit partner organizations that participated in the NEA’s Read Across America Day with United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region were as follow: Astor Services, Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh, Catharine Street Community Center, Literacy Connections’ Book Buddies, Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, and Newburgh Head Start.

Astor Services, Beacon and Poughkeepsie

On Thursday morning, United Way staff member Sue Manning along with United Way volunteers Eric Barrett and Kayla Crowe read aloud to a group of children at Astor Services in Beacon. United Way staff member Tina Kitson and United Way Corporate Engagement Committee Members Cammie Jones and Glen Noakes also read aloud to a group of children at the Poughkeepsie location.

Catharine Street Community Center, Poughkeepsie

Guest readers for the the morning and afternoon pre-K classes at Poughkeepsie’s Catharine Street Community Center included Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro, United Way President and CEO Jeannie Montano, United Way Second Vice-Chair of the Board Kevin Cleary, Superintendent of the Poughkeepsie City School District Dr. Nicole Williams, United Way Young Leader United Sarah Weikel, United Way Board member Steve Lant and United Way staff member Colleen McKenna.

Literacy Connections, Poughkeepsie and New Windsor

Literacy Connections Book Buddies at Krieger Elementary School in Poughkeepsie hosted City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison as he read along with United Way’s Young Leaders United members Weintana Abraha, Kelly Osterman, Matthew Paquet, Julia Pagones, volunteer Monica Valentin and United Way staff member Melissa Clark. Guest readers at Literacy Connections Book Buddies program at Vails Gate STEAM Academy in New Windsor included United Way Community Impact Council members Karolyn Thompson, Chris Valdez, David Mancari, and United Way staff member Annette Sullivan.

Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, Poughkeepsie

To celebrate Read Across America Day, the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum opened its doors for three readings for its visitors. Children were accompanied by their guardians as they joined together to listen to readings by United Way Community Impact Council members Kim Fragetta, Lisa Massarelli, Sarah Salem, Jeanne Wagner; Young Leaders United members Solomon Chouicha, Casey Conlin, Echo Hanson, Mallika Rao; volunteer Marge Shifini and United Way’s Marketing and Communications intern Ashley Liso.

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