UNION VALE - The Union Vale Fire Company began collecting aluminum beverage tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities in Albany the end of 2024. To date, 169 pounds of aluminum tabs have been collected for the charity.

Union Vale Fire District Public Information Officer Kathy Welsh has partnered with the Eastern District Home Bureau of NYS Federation of Home Bureau Inc. which includes Home Bureau Eastern District Chairperson Alice Dickson, Dutchess County Home Bureau Chairperson Anne Christmas, and Eastern District/Dutchess County Home Bureau Community Service Chairperson Marie Elliott to collect aluminum tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Welsh said, “When I heard the Home Bureau was collecting aluminum tabs for a worthy cause, it occurred to me that we could help to collect even more aluminum tabs and invite the public to participate.” And the public has come through in flying colors!  

“For example, 2nd Asst. Chief Travis Floyd of Wassaic Fire Rescue "The Blue Crew" noticed our campaign on social media and decided they would collect tabs for us,” said Welsh. As a surprise in December 2025, they delivered 5 pounds of tabs right to the firehouse!

“These tabs will be given to the Ronald McDonald House in Albany to help with their heating expenses. We are very grateful to Kathy Welsh, the fire department, and the entire community for partnering with us and helping to support this project,” said Community Service Chairperson Marie Elliott.

Elliott added, “As a result of Dutchess County sharing this collaborative effort at a state meeting, other areas have begun to initiate their own collaborations to benefit their local Ronald McDonald houses.” 

Welsh said the fire company will continue their campaign. As a courtesy, and for the public’s convenience, there is a drop-off container at the Union Vale Town Hall, 249 Duncan Road, where the public can bring their aluminum tabs Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm.

“We are very happy to help the Eastern District Home Bureau of NYS to ultimately help Ronald McDonald House Charities,” said Welsh. 

The Union Vale Fire Company is located in Dutchess County, NY. www.UVFDNY.org

Dutchess County Home Bureau, part of the New York State Federation of Home Bureaus, is a women’s organization centered around crafting with a focus on community service, fellowship, and family life. Their local community service efforts focus on helping veterans, those in nursing care facilities, and babies born at Northern Dutchess Hospital and Albany Medical Center.