Eileen Hickey Holiday Dinners focuses on bringing community together

The holiday season is about celebrating family, friends and blessings. But, for those struggling — physically, financially, emotionally — the season can be especially tough.

This Thursday, volunteers and those in need will gather for the Eileen Hickey Holiday Dinner. Now in its 33rd year, the program, held on Thanksgiving and Christmas, provides 1,000 dinners.

The greatest impact, Dan Hickey said, is for those “who wouldn’t normally be able to celebrate” and now can. But, he added, the impact goes even further than that.

“There are literally hundreds of people who volunteer their time to help prepare, serve and deliver,” Hickey said. “They give up time with their families. It’s a pretty impressive gathering of people.”

This year, through Holiday Helping Hand, the dinners are receiving $2,000 to help provide these meals.

Holiday Helping Hand is a joint project by the Poughkeepsie Journal and the United Way of the Dutchess County-Orange Region and was started 34 years ago. Its mission is to raise funds for local charities and organizations during the holiday season. Last year, Holiday Helping Hand raised more than $36,700, which will be distributed to 30 community organizations throughout this holiday season. In addition to holiday dinners, the organizations organize events including children's programs, gift card distributions to those in need, and more.

The food for each of the dinners consists of about 800 pounds of turkey and 300 pounds of ham, along with potatoes, corn, pies and other food and drinks. The meals are prepared at Vassar College for the Thanksgiving dinner and at Marist College for the Christmas dinner. The people are either delivered the food to their homes or fed at The Lunchbox in Poughkeepsie.

Earline Patrice was the creator of the dinners, after initially cooking in her own kitchen for those in need.

“It showed the rather humble beginnings of what she did,” Hickey said. After her death, Hickey and his wife, Eileen, a former state assemblywoman, took over the dinners. When Eileen passed away 17 years ago, Hickey renamed the dinners in her honor.

Hickey said that one of his favorites part about the dinner is “seeing the excitement” of the people that are there. “There is so much good will,” he said. “We have enough division in our country and it’s nice to see people come together regardless of economic status or social standing and enjoy one another.”

Jeannie Montano, president and CEO of United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, called the Eileen Hickey Holiday Dinners “an outstanding tradition for our community."

“For around 1,000 residents, these meals may be their only holiday celebration," she stated. “The holiday dinners truly are giving a holiday helping hand to individuals and families in need by providing a delicious meal, a festive atmosphere, warm smiles, laughter, and joy — and are as fulfilling for those who are volunteering as for those who are enjoying the food. Every donor to Holiday Helping Hand helps ensure that these dinners continue to be served.”

One of those “helping hands” is Donise English, who has volunteered for the holiday dinners for over a decade alongside her husband. The two have known Hickey for a long time, and once he became the coordinator, the couple asked how they could help. Their job is usually “whatever is needed,” which is often to carve the turkey or ham.

“I know we’re doing a good thing for people,” English said. “And honestly, we have such a great time doing it. There’s a wonderful sense of camaraderie and great Thanksgiving spirit. It’s a wonderful place to be with great people who care about other people; it’s contagious.”

An added bonus, English said, is working alongside Hickey. “He does a wonderful job and is just wonderful to be around,” she said. “He makes it so much fun.”

While she does not attend the dinners, English said that when the photos of the dinners are released, she sees “so many people happily enjoying their meals,” adding that it’s “great” being able to bring so many people together. “There are so many people doing such a wonderful thing,” English said.

The first dinner will be on Thanksgiving Day at The Lunchbox at 29 N. Hamilton St. in Poughkeepsie.

Inside

Holiday Helping Hand donation coupon, 2C

On the Web

Visit pojonews.co/hhh to read the history of the Holiday Helping Hand campaign, view videos and photos, read profiles on partner organizations and learn how to donate this holiday season.

Whom to Call

If you or someone you know needs help during the holidays, dial 211 for free access to information and referrals to services that provide basic needs including food, clothing and shelter; legal services; drug treatment; employment support; child care and elder care. The confidential help line, funded by United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, is available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. It is staffed by knowledgeable and caring call specialists who can communicate in more than 150 languages, as well as TTY for the hearing impaired. For information, visit www.uwdor.org.

How to Help

To donate, visit www.uwdor.org/hhh and click on “Donate to Holiday Helping Hand now,” or send a check to Holiday Helping Hand, United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, 75 Market St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Checks should be made payable to Holiday Helping Hand. All donations will
benefit Dutchess County residents.