Dutchess County is partnering with Afya Foundation to collect needed donations at the former JC Penney site (lower level) 2001 South Road (Route 9) in Poughkeepsie. Who would have predicted that this retail destination would have been a life-saving destination for the past two years. Donations over the next two weekends with the help of and Dutchess County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers. No appointment is necessary.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “This is a horrifying and heartbreaking time for Ukraine, and I know many people in Dutchess County are anxious to help. The generosity of our community has always been strong, and there are specific needs we can help meet. Knowing the heart of this community, let us all come together to help the people of Ukraine, donate what you can and pray for peace.”

Donation Collection Days/Times:

Saturday, March 12th from 9am-1pm
Friday, March 18th from 1pm-5-pm
Saturday March 19th from 9am-1pm

Specifically, What To Donate

Afya has provided a specific list of needed items. Only new, unopened and non-expired goods will be accepted from the list below. No other supplies are being collected at this time. Needed supplies are as follows:

Flashlights and Flashlight batteries
Baby and Adult Diapers
First Aid Kits
Face Masks
Hand Sanitizer
Personal Hygiene Kits (Soap, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Floss, Deodorant, Shampoo, Razors and Shaving Cream)
Basic Health Supplies (Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Cough medicine, Oximeters, Ace bandages and Compression bandages)

The Dutchess County Departments of Emergency Response and Public Works will assist at collection site operations, including transporting donations to Afya’s Yonkers location. Afya is working in partnership with US-Ukraine-Foundation and others to support the Ukrainian medical community and refugees seeking aid.

About The Afya Foundation

The Afya Foundation was created to serve as a center for giving back and has become a backbone of goodness for the greater New York community. Afya collects unused medical supplies and equipment from throughout the New York metro area and gives them a second life. These critical materials are shipped to under resourced and compromised health systems all over the globe thereby improving access to healthcare, the quality of care delivered, and the retention of local providers. Since their start in 2007, they have successfully established engagement programs and opportunities for volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and capacity to build community at home while supporting healthcare abroad.

Please share this flyer to spread the word about the humanitarian supply collection site and find out about other ways to support the people of Ukraine. If you would like to donate supplies, but cannot get to the JCPenney location on the collection dates, the Afya Foundation has created an Amazon wish list that can be found at https://amzn.to/3q7hUE7. Groups and organizations who would like to coordinate their own collections and add the donations to the county’s collection, please call 845-486-2000 or email counteyexec@dutchessny.gov.