The Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals presented Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation with its Hudson Valley Leadership Award for Corporate Philanthropy. The award is presented to a local corporation or business “that demonstrates an outstanding commitment through financial support, executive and employee involvement, and which encourages others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and community involvement,” and is available to corporations or businesses of any size or mission. 

“We are truly honored to be recognized for this award, and pleased to support the communities in which we serve. The spirit of philanthropy is a part of all of us at Central Hudson, and our employees are consistent volunteers and supporters of local community service organizations,” said Denise D. VanBuren, Corporate Secretary and Vice President of Corporate Communications, who accepted the award on behalf of Central Hudson.

"Throughout their history of serving our region, Central Hudson has demonstrated their commitment to improving the quality of life for those most needy.  They are a very worthy recipient of the Leadership Award for Corporate Philanthropy and we were delighted to recognize their many contributions to our communities,” said Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter President Serena Marrero.

Central Hudson, its employees and the shareholders of CH Energy Group, Inc. donated nearly $630,000 toward local not-for-profit agencies and organizations that provide human services and small business support to Hudson Valley residents and communities during 2011 alone.

“Our employees are strongly supportive of non-profits in our communities, and together with Central Hudson and shareholders contribute each year in many ways,” said VanBuren, who administers the utility’s community relations activities. She noted that it takes several forms:

• Individual employee contributions to community agencies are matched by Central Hudson’s Employee Matching Gift program. “This program allows Central Hudson to support organizations with which our employees are involved and to spread our contributions throughout the communities we serve,” said VanBuren. Central Hudson will match employee gifts made to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services within the utility’s eight-county service territory of up to $500 per employee annually.
• Employee contributions made to the Community Fund of the United Way during the annual campaign are also matched. In 2011, nearly $376,000 in employee contributions and matching shareholder funds was raised in support of local agencies and programs.
• In 2011, Central Hudson matched up to $50,000, a 25-percent increase above last year, in customer contributions to the Good Neighbor Fund, a last-resort grant toward utility bills for families and individual facing financial hardship though a program administered by the local corps of the Salvation Army.
• In addition to employee and shareholder donations, Central Hudson extended $221,000 in 2011 to local agencies and business groups by sponsorship of community events that raise awareness, promote the local economy and support non-profit programs.

“Our local service organizations work to improve our quality of life and to protect the health and well-being of our region,” said VanBuren. “As a community we depend upon one another, and Central Hudson and our employees recognize that we must all do our part.” Since 2005, Central Hudson and its employees and shareholders have together contributed more than $4.7 million in donations and sponsorships to local agencies and organizations.

“Just as important as their financial contributions, Central Hudson employees donate their time and talents, and volunteer thousands of hours each year to many worthwhile causes here in the Hudson Valley to make our region a better place to live and work,” said VanBuren.

In addition to receiving an award this year, Central Hudson also sponsors the annual Award for Outstanding Philanthropist on behalf of the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, for individuals who demonstrate outstanding civic responsibility.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents nearly 30,000 members in more than 200 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy through education, training, mentoring, research, credentialing, and advocacy. The Hudson Valley chapter, covering Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster, was formed in 2006.

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Central Hudson was presented the Hudson Valley Leadership Award for Corporate Philanthropy by (left) Theresa Kerin, Director of Development and Public Relations at the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie and Co-Chair of National Philanthropy Day; and (center) Serena Marrero, Director of Development at Abilities First and President of the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Accepting on behalf of Central Hudson is (right) Denise D. VanBuren, Corporate Secretary and Vice President of Corporate Communications.