AAUW Poughkeepsie Member Chosen for Spirit of Dutchess County Award

Betty Harrel was chosen from many nominees to receive the Spirit of Dutchess County award from the United Way. She was nominated by Poughkeepsie Branch of AAUW for the award for her community project Leading to Reading. The United Way acknowledges individual volunteers and service organizations for the work they do to make the community stronger.

Leading to Reading, one of Poughkeepsie AAUW community projects, had another banner year. Under the leadership of Betty, AAUW enthusiastic volunteers and generous donors, the following were accomplished:
Put together reading kits to support the summer program at the Catharine Street
Community Center
Provided a book as a holiday gift for each child at the Tubman Terrace After School program
Delivered books to The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie
Provided adult books to Hudson River Lodging residents
Made reading kits for the pre-schoolers at the Astor Head Start program
Wrapped hundreds of gifts for children living at Hudson River Lodging
Said “thank you” to Lisa Libraries by helping them sort books and pack shipping cartons