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The curtains were among $100,000 worth of stuff that the agency handed out last year through its Day of Sharing program.
The program allows nonprofits, churches, and schools that serve the needy in Dutchess and Orange counties to collect clothing, bedding and other household items for their clients.
The United Way holds the event four times a year.
It will open the doors to its Poughkeepsie offices from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 3.
A representative of The Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse said the girl’s family was moving into a new home and it was the first time that she was going to have her own room.
The curtains, the representative said, made “it special for her.”
Even the simplest items can make a huge difference, said Melissa Clark, a community impact manager for United Way.
“Whether it is new suiting for a job interview or curtains for a room, or needed kitchen utilities for first apartment or home, these items make a huge impact in people’s lives. We advise each organization to make sure they take the supplies they and their clients will get the most use from,” Clark said.
United Way collects donations from individuals and from retailers such as Calvin Klein, Bed Bath & Beyond, Izod, and Van Heusen.
Kimberly Kochem, vice president of Community Impact, praised donors, saying community support helps United Way “provide organizations with many of the necessary goods and services to help improve the lives of their clients.”
Day of Sharing is open to nonprofit organizations, schools, and churches based in Dutchess or Orange counties. It is not open to individuals.
Items vary but may include clothing, accessories, kitchen and household items, bedding, and books.
The program is operated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Any organizations participating in Day of Sharing must fill out United Way’s Gift-In-Kind Policies and Procedures document, available at the event or online at http://bit.ly/dayofsharing-application.
For more information on United Way’s Day of Sharing program, contact Kochem at (845) 471-1900, ext. 3122, or kkochem@uwdor.org.
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