Established in 1986 by Jeffrey M. Feldman and Paul S. Kleidman, Feldman, Kleidman, Collins & Sappe LLP (FKC&S) is known for its compassionate team of attorneys and staff who have consistently dedicated their time and resources to support a diverse range of charitable causes that reflect the core values of their firm.
In 2016, FKC&S hosted “30 Acts of Kindness” and gave back to the local community in honor of its 30th anniversary. In addition to the firm’s standard annual giving – which includes donations and volunteerism for a range of nonprofits – each team member was given a chance to personally select other causes for the group to support during the campaign. In 2024, the firm launched “38 Acts of Kindness,” reinforcing its commitment to giving back to the Hudson Valley and beyond.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the organizations the FKC&S team has supported through its “38 Acts of Kindness” and we look forward to sharing more about these diverse and impactful organizations. As you consider where to volunteer, donate or shop this yeah, we hope that you’ll keep these worthy causes in mind.
January 17th Spotlights
Walter Hoving Home: Walter Hoving Home is a faith-based substance abuse treatment center for women pursuing long-term recovery. The first location was founded by John and Elsie Benton in Garrison, New York in 1967. Since then, the organization has helped thousands of women reclaim their lives from drug and alcohol abuse. Residents are given the opportunity to apply for a driver’s license, attend vocational, GED and computer classes and prepare for reentry into the community. The Hoving Home has opened additional facilities and programs in California, Nevada, New Jersey and North Carolina. To learn more or donate, visit https://hovinghome.org/.
Beth Greco, president & CEO of Walter Hoving Home, sent a kind note to the FKC&S team to share about the impact of the firm’s donation: “Many of our ladies have spent the holidays without hope and at times, without family. Your kindness helps ladies work through their past, receive God’s forgiveness, and take steps toward emotional, spiritual, and relational healing. Your compassion truly changes lives.”
The Arc Greater Hudson Valley, NY: The Arc Greater Hudson Valley, NY is a not-for-profit agency dedicated to providing supports to more than 2,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Sullivan, Orange and Dutchess Counties. The organization provides innovative, high-quality services including residential services, clinical services, day services, family support services, guardianship services, children’s education services, employment services, recreation, respite and more. To learn more or donate, visit https://arcghvny.org/.
Nicole M. Morris, director of public relations & foundation at The Arc Greater Hudson Valley, NY, expressed the organization’s gratitude for FKC&S’s donation: “Your generous support will help us to implement new and innovative programs and services for people with developmental disabilities to live as valued, contributing members of the community.”
Friends of Animals (FoA): Friends of Animals (FoA) is a non-profit, international animal advocacy organization incorporated in the state of New York since 1957. The organization advocates for the rights of nonhuman animals, free-living and domestic. Its mission is to free animals from cruelty and institutionalized exploitation around the world. To learn more or donate, visit https://friendsofanimals.org/.
Priscilla Feral, president of FoA, thanked the FKC&S team for donating and shared: “As we enter our 68th year, our work to protect and defend animals remains strong. Do know that none of our educational or legal interventions for wildlife would be possible without your support and compassion. Your gift also sustains our unique, nationwide, affordable spay-neuter campaign for dogs and cats, assists rescue and care for hundreds of exotic animals at our Texas-based sanctuary Primarily Primates, and helps sustain the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project in The Gambia, West Africa.”
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital: Located in Valhalla, NY, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is a 136-bed advanced pediatric center that cares for the Hudson Valley’s most ill and injured children. The hospital is home to the region’s only Level I pediatric trauma and burn care programs, pediatric intensive care unit and its regional neonatal intensive care unit (Level IV). The hospital’s pediatric specialties include cardiology services; neurology, neurosurgery and other pediatric neurosciences; hematology and oncology care; organ transplantation (liver, kidney); critical care; emergency care; general surgery and many other pediatric subspecialties. To learn more or donate, visit https://www.mariafarerichildrens.org/.
In a thank you note to the FKC&S team, WMCHealth’s vice president of development, Irene Tsetsekos, penned: “Your donation helps to forge innovation across the WMCHealth Network. WMCHealth will continue to invest deeply in facility construction and renovation, advanced technologies, and clinical expertise in every hospital in our Network, including at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. Every gift from supporters like you makes a difference in the care we deliver.”
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has invested nearly $3.6 billion in groundbreaking research, community health outreach, advocacy and programs in more than 60 countries since its inception 42 years ago. The organization’s vision is to create a world without breast cancer. To learn more or donate, visit https://www.komen.org/.
Check back when we reveal the next five organizations here on January 24.
Previous Spotlights
National Brain Tumor Society: National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) unrelentingly invests in, mobilizes and unites the brain tumor community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments and advocate for patients and caregivers. NBTS is the largest patient advocacy organization in the United States committed to curing brain tumors and improving the lives of patients and families. To learn more or donate, visit https://braintumor.org/.
In a letter to FKC&S, President & CEO of the National Brain Tumor Society David F. Arons, JD wrote: “Our work at NBTS is powered by organizations like yours, who share the same passion and commitment to our vision of conquering and curing brain tumors – once and for all. Thanks to your contribution, NBTS will push one step closer to a world without brain tumors. As a community, we are turning research and advocacy into progress and hope.”
Fresh Air Fund: The Fresh Air Fund is a youth development organization providing transformative outdoor experiences, at no cost, for New York City children from underserved communities. The organization operates six sleepaway camps in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley, where children have new experiences, learn new skills and gain new perspectives. The organization also facilitates year-round leadership, career exploration and educational programs. To learn more or donate, visit https://freshair.org/.
Lisa Gitelson, CEO of the Fresh Air Fund, shared the following sentiments in a thank you note to FKC&S: “Thanks to the support of friends like you, children from New York City’s underserved communities can spend summer trying new things, discovering hidden talents, and growing their confidence with the support of caring counselors and new friends. And through our year-round tutoring, mentoring, and college preparation programs, children and teens gain practical skills that will set them up for a lifetime of success.”
Intrepid Museum: The Intrepid Museum, a non-profit in New York City, celebrates history, science and service through immersive exhibits centered on the historic World War II aircraft carrier Intrepid. Attracting over one million visitors annually, the museum also champions inclusivity with accessible programs for underserved communities, individuals with disabilities and veterans. Its STEM and educational initiatives inspire over 55,000 students each year. To learn more or donate, visit https://intrepidmuseum.org/.
Susan Marenoff-Zausner, president of the Intrepid Museum, wrote a note to the FKC&S team thanking them for their recent donation: “Thanks to your support, the Museum can continue telling the stories of history and innovation that shaped the present – and will continue to shape the future – through our over 20,000 historical artifacts, far-reaching education programs, and engaging exhibitions. We are so grateful that you have joined us in honoring the past and inspiring the future, and I again want to share my deepest and most heart-warming thanks for your gift.”
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York: A member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks, the Regional Food Bank collects donated food from the food industry and distributes it to more than 1,000 partner agencies and programs feeding neighbors in need throughout 23 counties of northeastern New York. The food provided by the Regional Food Bank helps to feed over 350,000 people each month. In 2023 alone, the organization distributed more than 48 million pounds of food (enough for 40 million meals) to those in need. To learn more or donate, visit https://regionalfoodbank.net/.
In a thank you note to FKC&S, Regional Food Bank CEO Tom Nardacci wrote: “Your contribution has made a significant impact in our mission to alleviate hunger and provide support to those in need in our community. As you know, the Food Bank operates numerous food rescue and food distribution programs that help provide nutritious meals to children, seniors and other neighbors. We work with more than 900 partners and travel over 23 countries to distribute millions of pounds of fresh and healthy food.”
Make-A-Wish®: Make-A-Wish® grants life-changing wishes to children who are battling critical illnesses. Founded in 1980 in the United States, the organization aims to bring hope, strength, and joy to children and their families during challenging times. Wishes can range from meeting a favorite celebrity or visiting a dream destination to receiving a special gift or experiencing a unique activity. The organization operates internationally, supported by volunteers, donors and corporate partners who help make these heartfelt wishes a reality. Make-A-Wish believes that granting a wish can have a transformative impact, providing emotional and psychological support that can improve a child’s resilience and well-being. To learn more or donate, visit https://wish.org/hudson.
In the organization’s thank you note, Make-A-Wish® America CEO Leslie Motter shared: “Your gift is so much more than a donation – it ensures that a child’s imagination truly becomes their reality. It opens doors to new possibilities, in which a child can replace fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with hope. Wishes even have proven physical and emotional benefits that can give children with critical illnesses a higher chance of survival. They unite families through life-changing experiences that help them cope and grow stronger, as entire communities ally around them in moments of unforgettable joy. As long as children are facing the devastating realities of fighting a critical illness, they will be counting on us to grant their heartfelt wishes and create the turning point they need in their treatment and recovery. Thank you for your dedication to this important work.”
Putnam Community Action Partnership (CAP): Putnam Community Action Partnership (CAP), a component of Westchester Community Opportunity Program (WestCOP), has proudly been serving the community for more than 35 years. The organization’s mission is to mobilize and efficiently manage resources, through partnerships and collaborations, to help low-income and at-risk populations achieve greater self-sufficiency. Services Include a food pantry, soup kitchen, intervention services, case management, summer youth employment, Thanksgiving baskets, holiday toy program, school supplies and winter coats programs and more. To learn more or donate, visit https://www.putnamcap.org/.
The director of Putnam CAP, Marisa O’Leary, shared about the impact of donations like FKC&S’s in a recent thank you letter to the firm:
“Your commitment to helping those in need is truly heartwarming, and we could not help our clients through this time without your generosity. The holidays are difficult for so many who already live on limited means. We thank you for sharing your holiday joy with someone in need. Please encourage anyone experiencing difficulty to reach out to us.”
Dutchess Outreach: Dutchess Outreach has operated emergency food access and relief programs in Dutchess County for more than 46 years. The organization works to widen community food security and food sovereignty, increase advocacy and provide emergency relief by offering a range of vital programs for those in need to ensure that equitable physical and economic access to safe, nutritious, culturally appropriate and sustainably grown food is available at all times across the community, regardless of income or zip code. To learn more or donate, visit https://dutchessoutreach.org/.
Renee (Fillette) Micchio, PhD, executive director of Dutchess Outreach, shared the following with FKC&S:
“Every day we continue to help individuals and families that face challenges associated with meeting their most basic needs. We are now seeing 1,800 household visits in our Pantry a month and serving an average of 600 meals a day in our Lunch Box. This year, we rescued over 120,000 pounds of food, and our Farm Stand alone distributed over 100,000 pounds of food. These unprecedented numbers reinforce the need to advocate for the people of our community more than ever. We are looking ahead to the future, expanding our reach, and working towards a hunger-free Dutchess. None of this important work could happen without you.”
Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County: Dutchess County Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. The organization is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. To learn more or donate, visit https://habitatdutchess.org/.
In a letter to FKC&S, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County Marueen Brennan Lashlee wrote:
“Amazed, inspired, grateful – that’s how your generosity makes us feel. Every person should have a safe space to call home, and because of your contribution, this will be a reality for more families in Dutchess County.”
Dutchess Chamber Adopt-A-Family: This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Adopt-A-Family program, which provides warm holiday support to families in need. The families are participants from one of the programs offered through the Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Development Center, which includes Youth One Stop, adult Next Step, Career Action Center, Youth Entrepreneur Program and the Next Gen Summer Tech Academy. They put together wish lists highlighting their wants and needs, which are shared with local businesses, club members, committees and individuals who sign up to generously fulfill their requests and spread holiday cheer. Wish lists include household goods, clothing, hygiene items and toys. In 2023 the campaign delivered more than $25,000 in gifts to over 30 families. To learn more about the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce and The Chamber Foundation, visit www.dcrcoc.org.
Sparrows Nest: Sparrow’s Nest is a 501(c)3 charity whose mission is to cook and deliver homemade meals to families facing a cancer diagnosis in Dutchess, Putnam and parts of Orange, Ulster and Northern Westchester counties. Founded in 2012, the charity feeds an average of 400 people each week and has fed more than 3,500 individuals since its inception. To learn more or donate, visit https://sparrowsnestcharity.org/.
Krista Jones, founder of Sparrow’s Nest, penned a note to the FKC&S team thanking them for their recent donation:
“Thank you for your generous gift to Sparrow’s Nest. Your act of kindness helps us feed even more people facing a cancer diagnosis. I would love for you and your colleagues to stop by and see our new building.”
Compassionate Animal Rescue Efforts of Dutchess County (CARE of DC): CARE of DC is a no-kill, nonprofit animal rescue organization located in Wappingers Falls, NY. Its mission is to provide temporary shelter, medical care and find loving homes for stray and abandoned animals. CARE of DC promotes the humane treatment and welfare of animals and advocates for responsible pet ownership. To learn more or donate, visit https://careofdc.org/.
Abilities First: Abilities First provides educational, residential and community-based programs for people with various developmental needs. Based in the Hudson Valley, the organization’s mission is to provide people who face developmental challenges and their families support to attain independence, self-determination, integration and acceptance by others through education, exploration and experience. To learn more or donate, visit https://www.abilitiesfirstny.org/.
Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation: This nonprofit supports individuals affected by breast cancer in the Hudson Valley region. It provides financial assistance, education, outreach and wellness programs for those undergoing treatment or recovering from breast cancer. To learn more or donate, visit https://milesofhope.org/.
Grace Smith House: Grace Smith House offers services to victims of domestic violence in the Hudson Valley. The organization provides safe shelter, counseling, advocacy and education programs to help survivors rebuild their lives and promote awareness about domestic violence. To learn more or donate, visit https://www.gracesmithhouse.org/.
Marianne Bosshart, director of development at Grace Smith House, penned the following in a note to the FKC&S team:
“Thank you for your donation. It is an honor to be part of your 38 Acts of Kindness for your anniversary. We appreciate all of you and your support of our work. Without the donations from our community, we could not survive. Thank you!”
Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary (HVARS): HVARS is a 501c3 non-profit animal rescue, wildlife rehabilitation center and low-cost vet service clinic. Based in Poughkeepsie, NY, the sanctuary offers a safe haven for animals, including wildlife such as squirrels, raccoons, possums, skunks, fawn, fox and woodchucks. Their mission began when they felt there was such a need for affordable vet care in their community. Today they are a multi-vet facility offering everything from wellness clinics to complex surgeries, dentals, x-rays, bloodwork and more. To learn more or donate, visit https://www.hvars.org/.
Social Responsibility
Although we are extremely proud of our reputation for providing top-notch legal advice – we are equally proud of our reputation for social responsibility and for giving back to the communities we serve. Learn more about the firm’s commitment to social responsibility here.
Jeff Feldman and the FKC&S team have received numerous accolades over the years, including the 2016 Headliner Award for Leadership in Business and Community from the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the 2019 Leadership in Corporate Philanthropy Award from the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In 2018, Feldman and his wife, Rona, were honored with The Quality of Life Award at the Family Services’ Family of the Year Awards. Additionally, Feldman serves on the Board of Directors for Family Services Inc. and is the Chairperson of the Hudson Valley Hospice Board of Directors.
FKC&S Partner Kathryn C. Collins was recently awarded The Chamber Foundation’s ATHENA Leadership Award, which is bestowed annually to distinguished professionals in the Hudson Valley community who best embody the ATHENA Leadership Model and make a difference for women by providing guidance, mentorship and encouragement. She serves on the Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation Board of Trustees and is a devoted supporter of Compassionate Animal Rescue Efforts of Dutchess County (CARE of DC), which is where she adopted her dog, Pongo, in 2020. You can read more about Pongo’s adoption here.