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United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region (UWDOR) is sponsoring the 2024 Kindness Champion event. Kindness is a powerful force that can transform lives. It's about empathy, compassion, and a willingness to help others, no matter how small the gesture. As quoted by Aesop, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”. Every fall, UWDOR celebrates the individuals who are making a positive impact on our community through their acts of kindness. By choosing kindness, we create a more compassionate and harmonious world.
Voting for nominees takes place from August 21st to September 18th.
Contact Lauren Spangler at lspangler@uwdor.org if you have any questions.
Be Defined as Being kind!
The Nominees
Click their pictures to learn more about them and their involvement in the community!
The Rules
- Nominees must live, work or attend school in Dutchess or Orange Counties
- The Act of Kindness should impact Dutchess and Orange Counties
- No age restriction
- Nominees under the age of 18 must have parental permission
- Prize package for top 3 finalists includes a donation to a charity of winner's choice serving Dutchess or Orange Counties and other exciting prizes
- All finalists will receive a Kindness Champion certificate
- Top finalists will be featured at United Way's Community Breakfast on September 25th
- Votes using fraudulent email addresses will be disqualified
- Duplicated votes will be disqualified
Contact Lauren Spangler at lspangler@uwdor.org if you have any questions.
Learn More About the Kindness Nominees
Brett is the owner of Granite Barbell, a small gym in Orange County. Brett is not only an amazing trainer and well acknowledged for what he does. He cares about everyone that walks into that gym, always receiving you with a smile and a welcome that feels warm to the heart. Always have a funny joke to make you laugh. He helps everyone not only through their fitness journey but with everything he can. He has hosted fundraisers for Animal shelters, for people in need, cancer, autism, helps the youth, works with kids with special needs, just to name a few.
He once said that legacy is all about making the world a better place. And he does it every day, Putting his heart and soul in every single one of us in his life. Being part of Brett’s life is an honor. His kindness and selflessness are hard to find, and it is well recognized within everyone around him. He is humble and does not expect anything in return. He is just happy to help, happy to bring community together and happy to make this world a better place. Brett is the example of human being we all should try to be day by day.
Dawn supported UW's supply drives, recently coordinated Petro's School Supply Drive for UW, donated backpacks stuffed with school supplies and volunteered at our School Supply Distribution.
During the Spring 2024 semester, Marist College student Delaney Roth interned at Finish Strong Wellness Center, Inc., which is a free after-school program that provides a variety of services to Poughkeepsie youth. These services include academic support, emotional support, lessons in non-contact boxing & Brazilian Jujitsu, arts & crafts, gaming, access to technology, as well as employment opportunities for young people.
During her time at Finish Strong, Delaney did an exemptional job of showing up every day and making a huge impact on the lives of the kids we serve. Everyday Delany showed up to work and gave the kids the best of herself. Delany would work with youth who were on the spectrum and who most interns had difficulty assisting with their homework or providing them with emotional support. Delaney proved be consistently kind, caring, and patient. Most of these kids did not want to work with any other intern than Delaney! At Finish Strong, Delaney was in high demand and there was not enough Delaenie's to go around. On the last day of her internship, so many kids were in tears because they were going to miss her. Delany was an embodiment of everything Finish Strong strives to be for our youth.
Delaney Roth is simply special and well deserving of this award!
Erika is an individual who is passionate about her community, working in healthcare for 20+ years. Erika has a contagious positive attitude and a true passion for the wellbeing of her community.
Erika continues working in healthcare, helping the residents of Newburgh gain affordable health insurance and offering resources such as free dental screenings and cleanings through the programs ran at HealthFirst, where she works currently. Erika is a true asset to both her team and the community!
Jasmaine is such a visible figure in the City of Poughkeepsie. She collects personal care items to give away to those facing homelessness and is an advocate for seniors, youth and veterans. She believes that investing in our community today will create better tomorrows.
Marc’s Friend’s is a support group for mother’s and care takers who have lost their child(ren) to violence or tragedy, as well as a mentorship program to at risk youth. Jemika has done tremendous work in the community providing for families in need.
Besides being a Pastor who conducts regular ministerial duties, Nikisha Wimberly is a Youth Athletics Coach for Poughkeepsie inner city kids, a NY state licensed childcare provider, runs a food Pantry in Beacon for over 10 years, and is now operating a Hot Meal Program on Main Street in Poughkeepsie in her attempt to mitigate hunger within the homeless community.
And if that wasn't enough, she has created a Youth Retreat Center in Panama, where youths from the inner city in the US can go for a vacation from the inner-city environments in which they live. She has 3 biological children and has been a foster Mom for over 15 years. Pastor Nikki, as she is lovingly called by the people she serves, has a big heart, and constantly looks for innovative ways to help, or give back to the community in which she lives and works.
As a dedicated volunteer with our high school PTO community, she exemplifies the spirit of kindness and selflessness that this award represents. Ms. Ophelia, the grandmother of a former high school scholar, has been an invaluable asset to our school community, contributing her time and energy whenever she can. She brings a remarkable level of enthusiasm and warmth to every event she participates in.
One of Ophelia’s most admirable qualities is her genuine and consistent kindness. She attends multiple PTO events, from fundraisers to school functions, always with a warm smile and a positive attitude. She is the number one Middie Cheerleader as she encourages our team to seek excellence. Whether she’s setting up for a school event, decorating our hallways for graduation, sitting in the front row of an award ceremony clapping/cheering us on loudly, or simply offering a kind word, her actions demonstrate a profound respect and care for the school community.
In a world where genuine acts of kindness can sometimes be overlooked, Ophelia stands out as a shining example of how one person's dedication can positively impact so many others. Her contributions have made a lasting difference on me, in our school, and within our community.
Sean is currently the director of a volleyball tournament that has raise so much money for Hudson River Housing over the last 30 years. This year, Rooftime raised almost $20k! Please support the United Way's Kindness Champion fundraising campaign!
Shaniesha is a devoted early childhood education teacher and community leader who works tirelessly to advocate for her students, their families, and the greater Poughkeepsie community. As a preschool teacher at DAY NE, she has launched initiatives such as "Birthday in a Bag", “Class in a Bag”, and "Laundry Care Packages” which help celebrate children, support their learning at home, and address families’ basic needs. These transformative programs not only bring joy and comfort but also alleviate the burden of everyday challenges faced by people within her community.
Shaniesha is an active volunteer with several organizations and has demonstrated a profound commitment to serving those in need. She contributes her time and energy to JS Self-Care, providing crucial support to victims of abuse; Life Flows through Everybody, where she raises awareness for sickle cell disease; Springfield Baptist Church, where she assists with the food pantry; Elante Nursing Home, where she brings companionship and care to the elderly; and has helped in planning the city’s Martin Luther King celebration, honoring Dr. King's legacy through community service. Furthermore, Shaniesha is involved with G.E.M.M.S (Growing Empowering Myself & My Sisters), helping to empower young women and foster personal growth.
Despite her extensive contributions, Shaniesha rarely seeks recognition for her efforts. She is always putting others first and using her platforms to spread awareness and amplify messages on behalf of those around her. She epitomizes the spirit of kindness and selflessness and her commitment to serving her students and community is nothing short of extraordinary.
