The Harlem Valley is a special place to be

The advent of 2010 is the time of year to sit back and reflect on how 2009 was for you and your family, your friends and your community. It’s the ideal time to take a deep breath and acknowledge that you gave the year your best effort — whether at home or at work, at school or in your neighborhood.

Certainly those living and working in the Harlem Valley have proven time and again that goodwill abounds. There were countless opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in this dynamic community, donating their time, money and sometimes a little bit of themselves when necessary, be it at local blood drives, food drives, toy drives or clothing drives year round. And volunteers continue to line up and offer their help, even now, with Adopt-a-Family and the Sunday in the Country Food Drive still going strong, until (and sometimes beyond) Christmas.

The tireless volunteers who help create the types of towns and villages everyone wants to be a part of — with charm and character —  year round, must be mentioned here. Sometimes those volunteers accomplish their goals by decorating their streets during the holidays, whether they live in Amenia, Millerton, Pine Plains or Millbrook. When they do so the effect is always magical. Then there are the holiday festivities themselves, which bring neighbors together in celebration. Those who help dress up their towns each year should be proud of their efforts as they do so much to make the holiday season festive. And that extra shimmer seems to linger, like fairy-dust, long after the holidays have passed, just as the volunteer ideology does in these parts — which is one of the season’s true gifts year after year.

And all of the area’s goodwill and charity is not due solely to the holidays; it seems to be an inherent and integral part of life in this region. That is surely part of the attraction for the many people who are drawn to the Harlem Valley.

Throughout the year there have been benefit golf tournaments, softball games, bake sales, turkey “flockings,� poker runs, even a Mr. Pine Plains beauty pageant, all to help raise funds for those in need. The events speak volumes about the generosity of those who live and work in our community. Then there are the volunteers who help out at the food banks every week, year-round, making sure there’s sufficient food for people who otherwise don’t have enough. Those food pantries stretch from Dover to Amenia to Millerton to Pine Plains to Hillsdale and beyond. The volunteers who help stock the shelves and divvy up the food gladly offer their services. And if they can’t provide what’s needed, they know where to look for more support.

This area also boasts special services and programs through the North East Community Center and Astor Head Start, both in Millerton, the Heart of Pine Plains Community Center, the local libraries and schools, as well as churches located in every town this paper covers. It’s quite amazing to reflect on the extensive outreach programs available to those who need the support, much of which is available if one knows where to look. There’s also a 2-1-1 phone number, a social services emergency line linked to the United Way.

There’s so much this area has to offer, but by-and-large it’s the people who make it so special. So give yourself a hand for doing your part to make the Harlem Valley as unique, friendly, supportive and charming as it is — here’s to another exceptional year of growth and goodwill for all.