POUGHKEEPSIE – In honor of National Volunteer Week, County Executive Marc Molinaro expressed gratitude to everyone who has donated their time and efforts to supporting Dutchess County’s coronavirus efforts.
Through #DutchessResponds or the Medical Reserve Corps, county residents have volunteered thousands of hours of time to support their community. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess County already boasted one of the most robust and active volunteer ranks in the entire state of New York. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the MRC has seen a dramatic rise in its’ already active membership.
The MRC of Dutchess County has over 700 active members, 200 of which have joined since March 2020. The time and effort these members (both with and without formal medical training) have put in so far has helped to keep Dutchess County residents healthy and safe. The MRC is active in multiple coronavirus endeavors in the county, including:
- Staffing more than 230 shifts at Dutchess County’s coronavirus Call Center totaling nearly 1,000 hours,
- Delivering groceries and/or medication orders to those in isolation,
- Assisting in monitoring and testing hundreds of individuals exposed to COVID-19,
- Over 70 volunteers trained to staff Dutchess County’s Recovery Center at Dutchess Community College,
- 15 MRC members trained to assist in the Medical Examiner’s Office,
- Providing medical assistance to guests at the homeless shelter currently located at the Dutchess County Jail and Law Enforcement Center campus,
- Assembled hundreds of Personal Protection Equipment kits, and
- Assisted with a number of other logistical operations and in the Emergency Operation Center.
The Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess County is part of a national network of more than 200,000 volunteers dedicated to supporting public health infrastructure as well as disaster preparedness and response in the community.
