Famous Amos Inaugurates Campaign

(Poughkeepsie) - The United Way of Dutchess County kicked-off their 2006 campaign season last Friday at The Grandview.
Campaign Chair Charlie North of the Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce was excited to announce that Dr. Wally Amos, founder of Famous Amos Cookies, would be the keynote speaker at this year’s event. Wally Amos, the face that launched a thousand chips, is the father of the gourmet cookie industry. As inventor of Famous Amos cookies, his story is the quintessential American success story.

Dr. Amos has appeared on hundreds of television and radio shows, appeared in various network sitcoms and acted as spokesman for Hush Puppies, Untied Airlines and many more. He has been host and teacher of 50 adult basic learning programs on PBS, and has authored four books, his most recent being The Cookie Never Crumbles, Inspirational Recipes for Everyday Living. He devotes a great deal of time and passion for literacy causes, serving as national spokesman for Literacy Connections and acting as Chair of the B oard for the National Center for Family Literacy and Communities in Schools.
Dr. Amos is the recipient of numerous national awards, including the President’s Award of Entrepreneurial Excellence and the National Literacy Honors Award.

United Way’s Campaign season began with the kick-off last Friday and will continue through the fall. Monies raised during the Campaign will help address some of the most vital and critical needs in Dutchess County. Through extensive community-wide assessment, Untied Way has identified four key community impact areas: Improving the health, education and safety of children and teens; reducing family violence and neglect; supporting the health, independence, and socialization of seniors; and helping people overcome crisis.
Untied Way then mobilizes community resource to support programs which address these critical community needs, which will create lasting and meaningful change in the community.
If you would like to make a contribution to United Way’s Community Funds, call 471-1900, extension 115. Pictured Above: From Left to Right Dr. Wally Amos, founder of Famous Amos Cookies, was the keynote speaker for the kick-off of this years campaign for the United Way of Dutchess County. Charlie North, campaign chair, Dr. Wally Amos, Richard Mitchell and County Executive Steinhaus attended the 2006 campaign kick-off for the United Way of Dutchess County.