Altruism at its best

All hail the kind-hearted. They’re at it again. That’s right, those who are able to think beyond themselves and express concern for others are once again stepping up to the plate and doing what they can to help out.

In Dover, Library Director Susan Totter organized a “food fight� among all libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System, although not all of the libraries are participating, as some have other fundraising commitments. The “fight� includes a challenge to collect as much food as possible for the libraries’ local food pantries during the month of November (to read the full story, turn to Page A1). Some of the participating libraries are even offering amnesty in the form of forgiven late fees to those patrons who bring in nonperishable food items.

Millerton Library Director Midge Quick and Pine Plains Library Director Marguerite Hill are both participating in the food fight. Their decision to do so should be lauded, as it will not only help their town’s food banks, but also their community’s sense of cooperation and compassion, which they both have in spades.

Next up is the annual coat drive at the North East Community Center (NECC) in Millerton. The community center, with support from Dutchess Outreach, collects coats to be handed out to those in need. It’s a great program and provides outerwear to keep young and old alike warm and dry.

Year after year the community center offers its coat giveaway. People get to stop by NECC, located on South Center Street, and browse through a collection of coats, without criticism and without judgment. Then they get to take what they need. This is how it should work — it’s the ultimate form of recycling. Kudos to the North East Community Center for its continued efforts to take care of the people of the Harlem Valley, while showing by example how and why it’s so important to think about others (for full story, turn to Page A1).

In Amenia, meanwhile, there’s a fundraiser going on for a woman who lost everything she owned last week when the house she was renting went up in flames. Monique Montaigne may be feeling lost, but she’s likely also feeling somewhat buoyed up by the fact that her friends and neighbors have rallied to organize a collection in her name.

Montaigne’s neighbors made calls to the local papers, set up a fund at one of the local banks and organized a drop-off location for checks or cash at the bank or the Amenia Free Library, as well as a mailing address to one of the group’s organizers in a matter of a few days in order to get Montaigne the help she needs as quickly as possible. It speaks loudly of the community’s ability to put politics aside and work together when the need arises (for full story, turn to Page A1).

Meanwhile, back in Millerton, the American Legion Post 178 played host to the weekend’s barbecue chicken cook-off, a favorite in these parts. But the event offers more than just good eats. It’s a fundraiser for the Sunday in the Country Food Drive, organized by “NASCAR� Dave MacMillan and others, who work tirelessly to ensure food banks in the Tri-State region are stocked with enough food to provide for full meals come Thanksgiving and Christmas (for full story on the cook-off, turn to Page A3).

MacMillan has organized the drive for more than a decade, and it’s helped to provide countless families with holiday meals. What’s incredible about the many fundraising events leading up to the actual distribution of the food is that so many people are willing to offer their help and donate their time and money for the cause. The Sunday in the Country food drive is an amazing feat in these parts, as well as a great showcase for the exemplary behavior we should all strive for.

These are just a few examples of the humanity that can be found in the Harlem Valley. With luck, they will encourage even more people to be altruistic in their actions. We should also send a much deserved thank-you to all who work so hard to make sure they “pass it on.� Their kind thoughts and considerate ways help to create a world where the “haves� share their riches (in whatever form they may be) so the “have nots� become the “have somes,� and that just makes the world a better place.