POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and County Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver have announced the launch of the “Dutchess Frontline” Award program, which honors local residents who have assisted their community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents can nominate candidates for the “Dutchess Frontline” Award online at dutchessny.gov/dutchessfrontline, and honorees will receive a certificate recognizing their effort from the County Executive.
“As we’ve seen over the past months, the face of a frontline responder has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic,” County Executive Molinaro said. “So many in our community have answered the call to keep their neighbors safe and healthy – be it the nurse who’s worked countless 12-hour shifts, the family who continually checks in on their elderly neighbor feeling isolated, or the supermarket employee who’s ensured shelves are stocked with essential products – and Dutchess County wants to recognize them for their unfailing devotion. If you know someone who’s made a difference in the community during the pandemic, I encourage you to nominate that person for our ‘Dutchess Frontline’ Award.”
Since the start of the pandemic in March, countless residents and organizations have assisted the County in its efforts to inform and educate the community and contain the spread of Coronavirus.
Volunteer members of the Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess County, for example, have supported the Department of Behavioral and Community Health by staffing the County’s Coronavirus Call Center, assembling thousands of Personal Protective Equipment kits for distribution and driving food and medication to residents in isolation, among other essential tasks.
The Dutchess Responds Food Connection, a collaboration between Dutchess County Government, Dutchess Outreach, and Community Action Partnership of Dutchess County, provided 13,959 meals to 581 local households impacted by the pandemic over a 10-week span.
Residents from throughout the County donated to the Dutchess Responds Fund, administered by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, which totaled more than $500,000 and provided grants to community-based, non-profit organizations that experienced a higher demand during the pandemic, including community-based health clinics, food banks and pantries, meal delivery programs, homelessness services, and prevention programs.
Just as importantly, untold residents contributed to the community’s efforts in myriad ways – each worthy of recognition through the “Dutchess Frontline” Award program.
Chairman Pulver said, “There has been such an outpouring of selflessness and community spirit since the pandemic first touched Dutchess County, and it’s important we acknowledge residents’ efforts. We look forward to honoring those who have made a difference with our ‘Dutchess Frontline’ Award. While current safety protocols don’t allow for gatherings to celebrate our heroes as we’d like this award is the first step in honoring those who have given so much to Dutchess County during these unprecedented times.”
