This fall, United Way of Westchester and Putnam gave out 10,000 toys to children throughout Westchester through the Toys for Tots' "Unplug & Play" initiative. The program distributes toys and books to children during the spring, summer, and fall to have children unplug from their devices and engage their imaginations. In addition to Toys for Tots, United Way teamed up with Good 360, Penske Trucking, Westchester Medical Center, and three school districts, Greenburgh Central School District, Peekskill School District, and the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns.

The Unplug and Play program significantly impacted our ability to continue promoting active and healthy lifestyles among the youth in our community," said Dr. Ray Sanchez, superintendent of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns. "The impact of the Unplug and Play program goes beyond just reducing screen time; it is about creating a healthier, more connected, and vibrant community. I appreciate United Way's dedication to the well-being of our community and its support of the Unplug and Play program. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of the youth in our area."

The combined efforts of these organizations resulted in a seamless and impactful distribution of toys to children. The collaborative initiative underscores the power of community partnerships in addressing the diverse needs of children and families.

Toys were distributed to the pre-K through elementary school-aged students in the partnering districts. Additionally, Westchester Medical Center gave toys to the children who participated in the Go the Distance Walk on Sept. 24.

"Children are at the heart of our community, and through initiatives like Unplug & Play, we are committed to creating experiences that not only bring joy but also contribute to their holistic development," said Avery Zuvic, Director of Community Impact at United Way of Westchester and Putnam. "We extend our gratitude to our partners, volunteers, and everyone who contributed to making this initiative a resounding success."

The toy distribution was part of United Way's Essential Goods for Basic Needs Program, which provides more than $5 million worth of new items from retailers and manufacturers to help individuals and families have access to essential basic needs items like bedding, clothing, small houseware goods, and mattresses through our local nonprofit partners.

As the holiday season approaches, United Way of Westchester and Putnam remains dedicated to improving lives and strengthening communities. The success of the Unplug & Play initiative serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when organizations come together for a common cause.

Contribute to United Way's Annual Holiday Toy Drive through Amazon

This holiday season, join United Way's annual toy drive and bring smiles to countless faces by contributing to our Amazon Wishlist. Spread the joy of giving by selecting from a curated list of toys that will make a difference in the lives of children across Westchester and Putnam. Your generosity unlocks the magic of the season, providing moments of laughter and play for those who need it most. Visit our Amazon Wishlist today and make a child's holiday unforgettable. Together, let's create memories that last a lifetime. Your gift, no matter the size, makes a world of difference.

The wishlist can be found at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2HJQ5OSDSU24F?ref_=abls_nvfly_yl

United Way, DoorDash, and the City of Mount Vernon Give Gift Cards to Residents

The City of Mount Vernon, DoorDash, and United Way of Westchester and Putnam expanded their partnership to distribute DoorDash gift cards to address food insecurity from residents in Mount Vernon.

DoorDash is working with Mount Vernon Mayor Patterson-Howard and United Way to help reduce food insecurity tied to the company’s commitment to support the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health by providing gift cards to local organizations that are working to broaden food access.  

“While we’ve worked to fight food insecurity in Mount Vernon in a variety of ways, one of the innovations I’m most proud of is our partnership with DoorDash,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. “We need more public-private partnerships that help local, state, and federal governments extend their reach by leveraging what businesses do best. I’m looking forward to the positive results this partnership will have in Mount Vernon and know that, together, we can grow solutions like these to have a national impact.” 

“We’re proud to be working with Mayor Shawn Patterson-Howard and the City of Mount Vernon to provide DoorDash gift cards and help support the incredible work of the United Way to expand food access,” said DoorDash spokesperson Eli Scheinholtz. “We’re honored that local governments are leveraging DoorDash to access the best of their communities while broadening food access for people who need a little bit of extra help in their day-to-day life. By providing these resources, we can enable this tremendous organization to do more of what really matters: supporting the Westchester community.”  

“With calls to our 211 Helpline related to food insecurity increasing by more than 20% over last year, we know families and seniors are struggling with food insecurity,” said Tom Gabriel, CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam. “We appreciate DoorDash and the City of Mount Vernon working with United Way to alleviate the issue for some folks as we kick off the holiday season.” 

United Way Seeking Tax Preparation Assistance Volunteers for Putnam County

The United Way of Westchester and Putnam is recruiting volunteers to assist with tax preparation in Putnam County during the upcoming tax season. These volunteers will commit to volunteering a few hours each week and will support the efforts of the Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition.

There are three ways to volunteer.  

 - Tax Counselors help prepare taxes for clients. This opportunity is on-site in Putnam County.
 
 - Client Facilitators support the Tax Counselors and ensure that appointments run smoothly. This opportunity is on-site in Putnam County.  

 - Appointment Specialists assist with the overflow of appointment calls and ensure that clients can receive tax help. This opportunity can be done remotely.

Volunteers will need to go through different training courses depending on which position they accept. These training courses will take place in December. Tax preparation opens in February 2024 and goes through April 2024. More information for each position can be found at https://www.uwwp.org/tax-volunteers/.

Volunteers will need to be familiar with technology and work with people on a regular basis. Tax Counselors will need previous experience doing taxes. At a minimum, volunteers need to do their own taxes without using an outside service. Volunteers get a great deal of satisfaction from helping people get refunds and credits they may not have known about. We understand that these positions can be a large commitment, but your efforts will ensure that members of your community receive the aid they need.  

The Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition and the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program provide free, reliable tax preparation assistance to low to moderate-income residents of Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam counties. Many depend on their refund to keep up with their rent, make a necessary car repair, or pay down their credit card. For many of our neighbors, their tax refund might be the biggest check they receive all year.

For more information and to become an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer, go to https://www.uwwp.org/tax-volunteers  or contact Melissa Preudhomme at [email protected] 

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