Dutchess County has announced the launch of the Dutchess Frontline award program, which will honor local residents who have assisted their community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Honorees will receive a certificate recognizing their effort from the County Executive.

“If you know someone who’s made a difference in the community during the pandemic, I encourage you to nominate that person for our Dutchess Frontline award,” said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro in a press release.

Residents can nominate candidates for the Dutchess Frontline award here.

“So many Dutchess residents came together to support one another and provide care on the front lines of COVID,” said Rebecca Edwards, Minority Leader of the Dutchess County Legislature. “Dutchess County should find as many ways as possible to express gratitude to those who risked their lives or went above and beyond the call to help.”

Dutchess County reported its first confirmed case of Coronavirus/COVID-19 on March 12. Since then, countless residents and organizations have worked to inform and educate the community and contain the spread of Coronavirus. 

Volunteer members of the Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess County, for example, have supported the Department of Behavioral and Community Health by staffing the County’s Coronavirus Call Center, assembling thousands of Personal Protective Equipment kits for distribution and driving food and medication to residents in isolation, among other essential tasks.

The Dutchess Responds Food Connection, a collaboration between Dutchess County Government, Dutchess Outreach and Community Action Partnership of Dutchess County, provided 13,959 meals to 581 local households impacted by the pandemic over a 10-week span.

Residents from throughout the County donated to the Dutchess Responds Fund, administered by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, which totaled more than $500,000 and provided grants to community-based, non-profit organizations that experienced a higher demand during the pandemic, including community-based health clinics, food banks and pantries, meal delivery programs, homelessness services and prevention programs. 

“There has been such an outpouring of selflessness and community spirit since the pandemic first touched Dutchess County, and it’s important we acknowledge residents’ efforts,” said Dutchess County Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver.

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