COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Thanks to the care, generosity, expertise, and the vibrant pulse of the Red Hook Community spirit, there are a number of initiatives in Dutchess County to help those impacted by COVID-19. These activities, along with links to information, are provided in the repository below to keep you informed as to Red Hook’s response to the coronavirus. Our own response and affiliations are also noted. Volunteering of course carries risk which can be mitigated through safe practices and we caution those who assume that risk in assisting others.
Red Hook Responds Campaign- the Ascienzo Family Foundation is the primary financial supporter of the Red Hook Responds Campaign, donating $10,000 so far and coordinating community donations. The campaign, through the leadership of Dan Budd, coordinates, enhances and supports the existing and new volunteer efforts in the Red Hook area. It harnesses volunteers in a centralized location where people work together to maximize the programs already in place. A volunteer portal places volunteers with appropriate programs based on skills and interests. Red Hook Responds improves communication between groups within the community doing similar volunteer efforts. Red Hook Responds works in collaboration with elected officials in the Town and Village of Red Hook and the Village of Tivoli. To donate to this effort, make checks payable to The Ascienzo Family Foundation with the memo “Red Hook Responds” and mail the check to Ascienzo Family Foundation, 60 Penstock Lane, Lake Katrine, NY 12449. Checks are preferable, as GoFundMe takes a 2.9% transaction fee.
As of August 2020, $70,000 has been raised for food for those in need who are homebound, sick, or experiencing financial hardship.
Specific information from our local governmental/school agencies:
Dutchess County at http://www.dutchessny.gov/
Town of Red Hook at https://redhook.org/
Red Hook Schools - specifically School Closure Resources
Food & Other Volunteering Opportunities
We support the Red Hook Backpack Program at Mill Road. It will move forward and remain operational. Presently, the volunteers who assist are in the “at risk” pool - contact Linda Piastro at lgpiastro@gmail.com or 845-249-6018, if you can help.
Bard’s Center for Civic Engagement has a survey for volunteers and community needs.
A group of restaurateurs led by Dan Budd from Taste Budd’s are coordinating the preparation and distribution of food to the hungry and the homebound sick. There are many moving parts - please check out this opportunity. We have pledged financial support for this ambitious undertaking.
There is a breakfast & lunch “grab & go” program administered through the schools in the morning for students. Presently, they are well staffed, but as time passes there may be a need for assistance. Jen Melitski, one of our directors, is helping out now and can be reached at jmelitski@gmail.com for additional information.
The Community Center is closed, but they are still providing Meals on Wheels. Please contact Sara Ugolini at director@redhookcommunitycenter.org to assist.
This from the Red Cross: “Right now, American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma. The Red Cross also urges organizations to maintain scheduled blood drives. Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood or platelets. We have implemented additional precautions to ensure safety of our donors and staff. This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients fighting cancer. One of the most important things you can do to ensure we don’t have another health care crisis on top of coronavirus is to give now.”
As always, but especially now, the Ascienzo Family Foundation is thinking of you.
