Turkey On Every Table 2025 - Interview With Group Leaders For This Collaborative Distribution

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The Thanksgiving Meal bag that went with the turkey for “Turkey on Every Table.”
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

This year's request for turkey meals for the annual Turkey on Every Table initiative grew by 330%, said Reuben Simmons to A Little Beacon Blog. "Last year, we had 90 signups. This year, we had 395 signups." There were four distribution points and organizations involved in the city-wide effort, including I Am Beacon, Fareground, Key Food, Salem Tabernacle and Knights of Columbus #446. This year, LaStar Gorton, incoming Councilmember for Ward 1, also participated in the distribution.

Kenya Gadsden holding a donated turkey before she services people in the line to receive the meals. Kenya wore her I Am Beacon sweatshirt this day, but wears several other sweatshirts:
- member of the Beacon Board of Education
- Councilwoman for Fishkill Town Board
- jointly oversees the Open Arms Christian Ministries International Food Pantry with distribution point here at Beacon Parks and Recreation Building
- supports the “Class in a Bag” Initiative, which supplies backpacks filled with school supplies for children in the Beacon City School District
- Ran for Dutchess County Clerk
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, registered people lined up to receive one turkey and a bag of food to prepare at home from one of the four distribution locations: Fareground at 37 Lamplight (the old Mary Kelly's building that is now the Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church), the Beacon Parks and Recreation Building at 23 West Center Street, Salem Tabernacle at 7 Delavan Ave., and St. Andrew & St. Luke Episcopal Church at 15 South Avenue.

Meals included a 14lb turkey, the infamous Kings Hawaiian dinner rolls, Stove Top stuffing, Key Food brand Urban Meadows apple pie, Kraft Mac and Cheese, Urban Meadows’s jelly, a bag of fresh apples, a bag of rice, and Green Giant mixed greens.

Families were in line to receive, some who walked there with metal push carts and strollers, and some who drove.

Knights of Columbus #446 members gathered around Junior Dabashi’s (Key Food) truck for another loading in of Thanksgiving Meals at 23 West Center Street, the Beacon Parks and Recreation Building.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

The total number of meals distributed from each location was 123 at Fareground, 127 Beacon Parks and Recreation, 61 at Salem Tabernacle, and at least 10 distributed directly by I Am Beacon to those who could not make the line. Reuben of I Am Beacon and Junior Dabashi of Key Food, with the assistance of Salem Tabernacle’s van of helpers which includes Ian, Frank and Pastor Bill, collect and distribute the food to each location, with the assistance of the Knights of Columbus offloading the food from the trucks.

ALBB visited the West Center Street location to talk to the group leaders to learn the origins of Turkey on Every Table - to get more from the story and see behind the flyer that asks for food donations each year.

How long has the program been going on?

Before this interview, the group leaders conferred among themselves to track back the origins, as this initiative is a collaborative effort with the groups.

This interview is with: Reuben Simmons of I Am Beacon; Ian Zrodlowski of Salam Tabernacle Church; Junior Dabashi of Key Food; and Bernard Gadson, married to Kenya Gadsden who was leading the distribution with families to get the turkey meals. A member of Knights of Columbus served as cameraman for this video.

LaStar Gorton, incoming City Councilmember for Ward 1 in Beacon, assisting in distributing the Thanksgiving Turkeys.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Reuben Simmons greeting a Knights of Columbus #446 member before Distrobution begins.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

I Am Beacon started Turkey on Every Table in 2014 and continued it for 4 years. Reuben, a co-founder of I Am Beacon told ALBB: "We got away from it [Turkey on Every Table] in 2018/19 as we saw there were multiple organizations doing distributions. The impact we felt was already being met. As an organization, I Am Beacon stepped back from it...And then COVID hit, and there was more time for people to regroup. One of I Am Beacon's missions is to do things in a collaborative effort."

Ian Zrodlowski of Salam Tabernacle Church carrying bags of food from their van.
PHoto Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Reuben went onto let the other explain. Ian told of how Salem Tabernacle Church has been in Beacon since the 1950s. "Every Thanksgiving, the women of the church would get together and put baskets together for people in need. Usually by word of mouth." He said that a dozen families would usually be reached. "It was not a formal thing, just something that we've always been doing."

More Salam Tabernacle Church members carrying Community-donated food from their van.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Reuben explained that Junior Dabashi was a key part of why the initiative started back up again. Junior had met with Salem Tabernacle, Reuben said, and who learned that Salem Tabernacle wanted to get more involved with the Beacon community. Junior asked Reuben to bring back the Turkey on Every Table program. "The only way I said I'd do it is if it was on a collaborative effort." They met with Salem Tabernacle, as well as Kenya and Bernard Gadsden with Open Arms Ministry, who run the weekly food pantry out of the Beacon Parks and Recreation building every Saturday.

In 2021, the Turkey on Every Table program revived, and has been happening ever since.

Fried Turkeys and Home-Bound Senior Citizens

During the distribution, ALBB heard Bernard talking about his schedule this week for frying turkeys. We asked him to tell us more about the process, and who he was cooking for. Bernard is passionate about caring for the seniors to provide for them an experience that can easily pass them over.

Bernard works at a Senior Apartment Complex. "A lot of seniors don't get a chance to go out. So they stay home and probably make a cornish hen. On Thanksgiving. I just felt that's ludicrous," Bernard told ALBB. "So I said, I want to bring my equipment. I want to fry turkeys for them." His boss gave him the green light to fry the turkeys, and he's been doing it for the last 5 years. "I did 3 turkeys yesterday. One for my grandson's school in Poughkeepsie, and 2 for my job. There was nothing left. They love it every year. And I look forward to it." This year, he's doing two more turkeys on Tuesday for another senior apartment complex in Newburgh.

Bernard then describes how he likes to fry the turkey. He prefers a turkey that is 15lb or under. "Forty-five minutes to an hour, and they are done," Bernard stated.

Kids Coat Distribution From Knights Of Columbus

Coats for kids came through the Knights of Columbus, who have been doing the coat distribution for 40 years in Beacon from their building before they sold it, member Kevin Allison told ALBB. One year, a group from Peekskill was doing a toy drive distribution where Sue Serino arrived to help. "One of Sue’s office people was at the door. One kid came through the door with no coat. I said 'where is your coat?' He said he didn't have one. I made sure he had a brand new coat.”

Knights of Columbus, Trinity Council #446 logo on sweater swag
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Knights of Columbus member Kevin Allison
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Knights of Columbus Logo on Jacket
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

SATURDAY: I Am Beacon's Back 2 School Block Party :: Free Food, Music, Facepainting!

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This Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, the community organization I Am Beacon & local grocery store Key Food present the 10th Annual Back 2 School Block Party at South Avenue Park (Loopers), Beacon, NY from 12pm-3pm. (Rain Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025).

South Avenue Park overlooks Loopers Plaza, where Beacon Dental and Sal’s Pizza are located. Thanks to grant funding allocated to the City of Beacon, South Avenue Park received a new bathroom that has been painted with an elaborate mural. The basketball courts have been improved, and up the hill is a kids park with equipment to climb.

This long-standing community tradition brings together families, neighbors, and local organizations for a day of Free fun, connection, and school-year readiness.

This year’s event will feature

  • Free Food, Music, Face Painting, and Basketball. A Little Beacon Blog will be Face Painting!

  • School Supply Starter Kits: The first 150 children in attendance will receive a free bag (child must be present).

  • Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive: Donations are being collected now through August 23rd at:

    • Howland Public Library (regular hours)

    • Key Food Marketplace (regular hours)

    • On-site at the Block Party

The Block Party kicks off with Beacon Hoops All-Star Games starting at 10:30 AM, featuring:

  • 10:30 AM – Girls Game

  • 11:30 AM – Rookie Division vs. Albany

  • 12:30 PM – Junior Division vs. Newburgh

  • 1:30 PM – Girls Game: Beacon vs. Newburgh

In addition, I Am Beacon has joined forces with Fareground Food + Community for a School Supply Giveaway on Thursday, August 28th from 11:00AM – 12:00PM at 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY. Registration required; child must be present.

This event continues to highlight the power of community collaboration to support children and families as they prepare for the school year ahead.

I Am Beacon gives a special thanks to their partners and sponsors

Beacon City School District • Beacon Recreation • Beacon Hoops • Stewart’s Shops • Beacon Teachers Association • Mountainview Dental • Fidelis • State Farm (Catlin McVicker) • Salem Tabernacle Church • Joker Inc • Yanarella School of Dance

Beacon's City Administrator Blocks NAMI's Mental Health Ribbon Campaign To Preserve Lamppost Health

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During last night’s City Council Meeting (3-18-2024) in what was expected to be a easy passage of two requests from NAMI Mid-Hudson to pass a Proclamation to make May Mental Health Awareness Month in Beacon, as well as NAMI’s once-annual public service ribbon and yard sign campaign to promote awareness about their services for families living with special needs from mental health considerations, as well as to reduce the stigma on mental health which can reduce the likelihood that people seek out support, the executive team at NAMI Mid-Hudson was met with resistance by Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White, stating that he wanted to preserve Beacon’s lampposts from the PSA ribbons, and intended to restrict NAMI’s temporary PSA lawn signs from being distributed, citing zoning code, without identifying which code number or how the code was being interpreted.

Executive Director George Czornyj and Program Director Jo Ann Brown were presenting. NAMI’s ribbon and sign campaign has happened in Beacon from 2014-2022. During the meeting, it was also discovered that NAMI had been denied permission in 2023 to hang their white ribbons in Beacon. NAMI’s ribbon work in other municipalities continues.

After NAMI Mid-Hudson’s presentation on why the ribbon campaign was so crucial to reaching new people, City Administrator Chris told the Council: “I would like to have a conversation at Workshop because the lawn signs are not allowed under a code. We have also had a multi-year campaign to try get our lampposts back into shape. Some of those are being painted. We did not approve this last year. I would like the opportunity to chime in at a Workshop.”

Mayor Lee Kyriacou, who has a daughter with Autism, did not disagree, replying: “Great. We can certainly do a Proclamation. That is certainly not a problem.”

Councilmember Amber Grant spoke up: "Yeah, I would like to discuss. I appreciate the lampposts and all that. Maybe there's some trees or other things we can identify that would be a way to show support without necessarily impacting the light posts and all of that. I look forward to discussing."

Councilmember Paloma Wake agreed: "I would like to second what Amber said."

The impact of ribbons on the lampposts will be discussed at a later Workshop. City Administrator Chris did not cite which zoning code the lawn signs did not comply with. Could be 183-2, or 223-15 Signs. City Administrator Chris has been known to target other signs of other entities. It is unclear if his sign targeting is balanced to all who put out signs for designated reasons, or targeted to his digression. For instance, temporary green shamrocks were secured onto lampposts by the Parade of Green, a committee member of that organization said, which was granted by the City of Beacon.

Which Zoning Code In Question Disallows the Lawn Signs?

Possible sign codes City Administrator Chris is referring to may include 223-15, and do not seem to indicate that the white ribbons and lawn signs would be in non-compliance:

F. Temporary signs.

(1) A temporary sign is a nonilluminated sign that is used in connection with a circumstance, situation or event that is designed, intended or expected to take place or to be completed within a reasonably short or definite period after the erection of such sign, such as signs displayed during campaigns, drives or events of civic, political, philanthropic, educational or religious institutions. If such sign display area is permanent but the message displayed is subject to periodic changes, that sign shall not be regarded as "temporary." Unless otherwise provided in this section, signs shall not be considered temporary if they are effectively displayed on an ongoing basis, interrupted by short intervals when they are not displayed. Temporary signs shall not require a permit under this section, unless located in the public right-of-way or on public property.

For instance, a grand opening looks to be protected in Section F 4-C:

Signs indicating that a special event such as a grand opening, fair, carnival, circus, festival or similar event is taking place on the lot where the sign is located, not exceeding 40 square feet in area in nonresidence districts and six square feet in residence districts, and limited to one sign for each street frontage of the lot. The sign shall not be posted sooner than two weeks prior to the special event and shall be removed by the individual or organization which posted, or caused to be posted, such sign within three calendar days following the special event.

Perhaps the City’s Attorney will have a different interpretation at the next Workshop Meeting.

Partnership Background on NAMI Mid-Hudson and Beacon

“To be continued on how the health of the lampposts will be maintained or impacted by a PSA campaign to increase awareness about how to improve and maintain the mental health of humans.”

NAMI partners with the local organization I Am Beacon, which was co-created by Reuben Simmons, a 22 year employee of the City of Beacon in the Highway Department, who is mixed race and identifies as Black. City Administrator Chris has spent close to $200,000 in Employee Discipline to terminate Reuben, for reasons not clear or proven in hearings.

According to I Am Beacon, in 2023, NAMI Mid-Hudson independently requested permission from the City of Beacon to run their ribbon campaign. NAMI has partnered on the campaign with I Am Beacon since 2014, and was on the Planning Committee for the mental health awareness concert that I Am Beacon organized, called Rock Out 4 Mental Health, of which A Little Beacon Blog also participated on the Planning Committee. “Last year,” said I Am Beacon, “we thought permission for the campaign would be pretty straightforward. We told NAMI to just go ask for permission. We were surprised when they were denied last year.”

This year, I Am Beacon decided to present with NAMI Mid-Hudson during a public City Council Meeting on 3-18-2024, so that everyone could learn about NAMI Mid-Hudson and learn about why their ribbon and lawn sign campaign is necessary. This slide-deck was produced, that contains many resources for families, and testimonials from individuals who have benefited from NAMI’s resources.

Mental Health Needs Are Large In Beacon

Beacon citizens know each other on the sidewalk. Whether they live in houses or apartments or not. Beacon citizens know which of us need a little extra help and compassion. It is not always very obvious who to call when someone is in distress.

For instance: ALBB witnessed what looked to be a father/son (or caregiver/young adult) in a combative situation coming out of the Telephone Building on S. Brett and Main Street. The man dragged the younger man out of the building in a chokehold, and then punched him in the face. A struggle ensued, where the younger man fell to the ground, was mainly calm and limp, until being stuffed into a car, where he resisted. The younger may have be Autistic. ALBB got it on video and a civilian called the police. The police arrived and were told by the man that it was a family situation, and was handled.

ALBB sent the video to the police in the hopes of filing a Police Report, not knowing if that was even the best thing to do. Information was submitted to the police, but no followup has happened. It left those of us who saw the incident feeling helpless for the young man, and for the older man who seemed to not be handling the situation in an educated manner. Hitting someone into obedience is not the answer.

During NAMI’s presentation last night, they stressed the value of calling the Dutchess County Help Line to get guidance to resources by calling 988 or 845-485-9700. The ribbons and lawn signs can help provide the visual for this awareness.

NAMI Mid-Hudson Answers Mental Health Needs In Beacon City School District.

NAMI Mid-Hudson presented to Beacon High School for their United Way Audit in November 2021, which you can read in their packet. Right after the presentation, a teacher, sent NAMI this success story:

"I am writing this letter hoping those that read it will understand the value of NAMI Mid-Hudson's ETS program along with Jo Ann Brown and her young adult presenters to the Beacon City School District Community. In my 15 years of teaching, I have not found a more valuable resource. ETS gives students real life examples. It extends what we teach in health class with relatable real life stories. They literally get resources and a Trusted Adult List in their hands. The students are listening! This presentation gave me the tools to work with students and what I have learned helped me to save a student.”

The letter went on to say how a student on a hybrid call reached out to the teacher during the call because they were feeling very troubled and needed help. The teacher said they felt comfortable asking the student questions in order to get answers that got the student help. The teacher said that the questions they asked were because of the information they got from NAMI.

To Be Continued…

To be continued on how the health of the lampposts will be maintained or impacted by a PSA campaign to increase awareness about how to improve and maintain the mental health of humans.

I Am Beacon's "I Run Beacon" 2023 Is On Rain Or Shine - Sunday September 24

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A Little Beacon Blog is a proud Media Sponsor of the I Run Beacon 5K this year. Registration are still open to run or walk the day, which is a Rain or Shine event with no rain date. This run is on the same day as the Spirit of Beacon Day. The two events compliment each other, and don't interfere. The I Am Beacon crew will be participating with 3 tables in the Spirit of Beacon Day with food and podcasting.
Register To Run Here >

Beacon Back 2 School Block Party Invites Community To Celebrate & Prepare For School

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South Avenue Park at Loopers Plaza is firing it up again with the Beacon Back 2 School Event from I Am Beacon and Key Food on Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 12-3pm. This event is known for signalling the final days of summer with a cookout in the park, accompanied by several vendors at tables providing information to kids, parents and caregivers, as well as basketball games being played down below at Loopers Court.

Co-founder of I Am Beacon, Reuben Simmons told the Beacon Free Press this week: “Although we host with Key Food, this event is a true collaboration in every sense of the word. Beacon Recreation Department, Beacon City School District, and the Beacon Hoops Summer Basketball program. I enjoy providing a platform for so many of our community organizations to come out and share their information.”

Participating Organizations

Participating organizations this year include: Girl Scouts of the Hudson Valley, Cub Scouts Pack 1, Boy Scouts Troop #41, Brain and Body Coalition, Tradition Christmas Tree Lighting, Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, St Andrews & St. Lukes Episcopal Church, Growing & Empowering Myself and My Sisters (GEMMS), A Little Beacon Blog, Beacon Elks Lodge #1493, Salem Tabernacle, Tara’s Mission| Flip !t 4 Human Rights, Highlands Current, Conservation Advisory Committee, Staples, Beacon Climate Action Now, City of Beacon Police, Beacon Dental, and Contender eSports Gaming Center Hudson Valley.

Food and Entertainment

Key Food will be providing burgers, hot dogs and drinks for sale or by donation but is not required for those in need. HOPE Church is bringing the grill. “It takes a village!” co-founder Brooke Simmons told A Little Beacon Blog. Proceeds from the sale of food will go to I Am Beacon’s Class in a Bag program, which provides full backpacks and school supplies to students in need in the Beacon City School District grades K-12.

All Star Games from the Beacon Hoops Summer program start at 10am and go through the morning.

School supplies will be collected throughout the day. A small bus will be on-site, and attendees are encouraged to help "stuff the bus" with donated school supplies. DJ King Cyrus will be playing music throughout the event, which will end with a raffle draw.

A Little Beacon Blog will be offering face painting. A portion of the sales will be donated to I Am Beacon, and the rest helps us publish this publication. Donation recommended but not required. We will paint anyone.

How It Works

To get a free bag of school supplies, students will be given a “Student Passport,” and are required to collect “stamps” from each vendor’s booth. Cards will only be handed out for the number of bags available.

South Avenue Park | South Avenue Park is located at 9D and South Avenue. The address is 98 South Avenue, Beacon, NY 12508. The event takes place in the open area between the tennis court and basketball court, and below the climbing playground and Beacon Recreation Center.

I Am Beacon Hosts Mixer & Opens Membership To Gain Access To Volunteer Opportunities

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The non-profit group, I Am Beacon, has opened a membership program for the first time after serving the the community of the City of Beacon for a number of years in a wide-ranging list of efforts, which include producing the Back To School Block Party, and many years ago, organizing the city’s 4th of July event. To celebrate and grow the new membership, I Am Beacon is hosting a Mixer on May 17 at Two Way Brewing Co. The mixer is open to the public, and the ticket price is discounted for members and for sale online here.

When launching the membership, I Am Beacon said in a press release: “In today’s world, it is more important than ever to foster community connections. At I Am Beacon, we understand the importance of building strong relationships with our neighbors and are committed to creating opportunities for people to come together and learn from one another.”

To date, I Am Beacon has awarded $31,000 in scholarships, run 3,113 miles for charity, held more than 50 community events, gotten more than 700 supply kits to students, and distributed 327 turkeys in their annual Turkey on Every Table collection, according to their website. Hear them directly in their “This Is Beacon” podcast.

Reuben Simmons shared about the new membership: ”For the past two years we have piloted a membership program with great success! I am happy to get to this point where we can offer membership to all.” Benefits include volunteer opportunities, discounts on Thursdays at Key Food, and discounted tuition at Marist College for active volunteers.

Board member and branding designer for all of I Am Beacon’s materials, Brianna Rascoe, had this to say about her commitment to I Am Beacon: "Becoming a board member at I Am Beacon has helped me engage with my community in an intuitive way. The organization has fostered collaboration in a way that provides ample opportunity to give back in any capacity, from a helping hand to bringing our outside skill sets together to catalyze both our longtime events and the creation of new youth programming."

Tickets to the mixer are $30 for members, and $40 for non-members. Two Way Brewing is located at 18 West Center Street, next to Brett’s Hardware. The event is Wednesday, May 17th from 6-8pm. Tickets include one free drink and a chance to win a door prize. Buy tickets online here.

I Am Beacon Is Offering A Summer Youth Art Program & It Has Been Added To ALBB's Summer Camp Guide - Only 8 Seats - Reserve A Spot Now

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ALBB is constantly working to update the Summer Camp Guide to make sure we are getting you the information you need and getting it to you ASAP!

If you run a Summer Camp and want to add more details and photos, consider upgrading to a sponsored listing so that we can show those lovely photos and gush about the themed weeks you have planned! Learn more here >

But first, we wanted to share with you that I Am Beacon is offering a Summer Youth Program!

They will be offering the program on Saturday mornings from 11am - 12:30pm to explore digital art using iPad Pros and Procreate.

Sessions run on Saturday mornings from July 9 to August 13

Over 6 weeks, you will work on iPad illustration, create a digital poster design, create in augmented reality (AR), and then show it all off and display them at the back to school block party!

Spaces in the program will be limited with only 8 spots! However, if you own an iPad and Apple Pencil, you can be accommodated too.

There is no cost to participate in this course.

You can find more info in ALBB’s Summer Camp Guide or click here >

Last Days To Donate Grocery List To "Turkey On Every Table" From Key Food, Salem Tabernacle, I Am Beacon

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The “Turkey on Every Table” initiative from I Am Beacon, Key Food, and Salem Tabernacle has opened for collection again, hoping to reach families as it did last year. Created in 2014 by I Am Beacon, the three organizations came together last year during the pandemic when soup kitchens could not operate, and pre-packaged and delivered bags of dinner meals for people to cook.

Said Ginger Dandreano, Administrative Assistant for Salem Tabernacle when ALBB asked how the distribution will work: “All the food will come already packaged in a grocery bag. The idea is to make this as easy for people as possible, especially for those who may be walking. The bag will consist of a full Thanksgiving dinner.”

Pickup points will be Salem Tabernacle (7 Delavan Ave), Open Arms Food Pantry (based at Beacon’s Recreation Department at 25 Center Street) in Beacon, NY.

How The Organizations Coordinate The Food Giving

Ginger elaborated to ALBB: “The turkeys are being purchased by Salem Tabernacle. Salem Tabernacle does a yearly fundraiser that raises money for this outreach. So far this year, $5,000 has been raised. Key Food in Beacon also contributes with a fundraiser that helps offset the cost. Salem Tabernacle purchases the food from Key Food at cost. I Am Beacon also promotes the Key Food fundraiser and creates awareness amongst the community. I Am Beacon also has provided the connections with Open Arms Food Pantry and St. Andrews. Key Food is a generous, community oriented store that makes this complicated process much easier. They get the food at cost and also refrigerate the food up until the day of distribution. I Am Beacon and Key Food truly make this possible.”

How People In Need Can Sign Up For The Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving Dinner Signup at Salem Tabernacle.

Families or Friends can call Salem Tabernacle at 845-831-0114 Mon-Th from 10am-3:30pm. They can also go to www.salemtabernacle.com and follow the prompts to sign up (or click here directly). You can sign up yourself or sign up a family in need. Available while supplies last, but you must sign up. Their goal is to feed 100 families this year.

This year the drive is heating up again, with collections being made at Key Food at checkout. You can specify that your donation of food or cash/credit card be for this project at the checkout counter. Volunteer opportunities are available with Salem Tabernacle for those looking to pack bags, deliver them to destinations, and facilitate getting them into hands.

Requested Items Include:

Peanut Butter Jars, Jelly Jars, 16-Pack hot Chocolate Mixes, Canned Yams, Mac and Cheese Boxes, Stuffing Boxes, 1LB Rice Bags, 14OZ Canned Vegetables, 3LB Apple Bags, Baked Pies, Reusable Grocery Bags

People Working With The Organizations

I Am Beacon is run by brother and sister Rueben Simmons, Brook Simmons, and Brandon Lillard. Open Arms Food Pantry is managed by Kenya Gadsen, who served on Beacon’s Board of Education years ago and was of the few Black board members serving. Kenya moved to Fishkill, and currently serves as an elected Councilwoman for the Town of Fishkill. Key Food is a franchise run by the Dabashi and Said families.

Trade Us A Plastic Bag For An ALBB Tote Bag At Back To School Block Party

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This Saturday is the 5th Annual Back To School Block Party and School Supply Drive from I Am Beacon, in partnership with Key Food at the South Avenue Park, just up the hill from the basketball courts and Beacon Dental. There will be games, food, music, and basketball!

A Little Beacon Blog will also be there, and wants to trade you one of our tote bags for a plastic bag! While supplies last (we have 19!), you can have a free tote bag when you bring one plastic bag. One tote bag per person. We’ll collect the plastic bags and stuff them into the plastic bag collection bin at Key Food.

Plastic bags don’t go into home recycling cans because they float around the recycling center and get into the machines, causing major problems. Start carrying a collection of totes, and skip the plastic bag - from anywhere! It’s a tricky habit to start when you’re in a restaurant or a store, and pulling out a tote bag isn’t commonplace. Or if you’re in Walmart with those rotating wheels of plastic bags. But give it a try!

Free tote bags for the first 19 plastic bag trades, and then we’ll have them on sale for $10 (normally $18 on this website).

See you soon!

Open Letter From I Am Beacon Re Mental Health Information In Dutchess County

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The week before the Rock Out 4 Mental Health concert, Brooke Simmons from I Am Beacon circulated this Open Letter to all of her contacts, in the hopes that it would reach far and wide. We are publishing it here as well to help make that happen:

Rock Out 4 Mental Health-Open Letter.jpg

Dear Neighbors, Allies, Friends, and Family,

As we celebrate our veterans this Memorial Day weekend and close out Mental Health Awareness month this May, please take a moment to reflect on your service to the community.

In recent years, we seen far too many families fractured by issues related to mental health.

With 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiencing a mental illness and 50% of all cases beginning by age 14 it is critical that begin to recognize mental health impacts us all.

When it comes to the Hudson Valley, it is our belief that our area is services rich yet information poor.

Despite the valiant efforts of many organizations addressing mental health there is a lack of awareness and knowledge which result in many in our community being left to suffer in silence.

With our upcoming event, Rock Out 4 Mental Health, it is our vision to bridge the gap between the community and available services in order to highlight the importance of knowing where to go for help and to empower individuals to take action in order to help themselves or others.

In addition to learning about services, there will also be free, walk-up NARCAN training providing by Dutchess County giving all participants the ability to be certified in administering this life saving treatment.

I Am Beacon believes in the power of a collaborative effort to address issues impacting our community.

It is my ask of you, to come out on June 1st 12PM– 4PM at Pete & Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park - Beacon, NY.

Join us in ending the silence and taking the first step toward a better tomorrow for all Hudson Valley residents.

With gratitude and many thanks,
Brooke M. Simmons, I Am Beacon
www.facebook.com/iambeacon
***Please note Rain Date: Sunday, June 2