It was a festive mood at the central office of the Pine Bush Central School District last week but it wasn’t just the holidays that made it that way.

Representatives of the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region were on hand to accept a ceremonial check from Superintendent Tim Mains in the amount of $7,734, the total amount pledged by district employees.

“The United Way funds so many agencies that benefit our students and families,” said Mains. “It’s especially appropriate that we as educators support the United Way.”

Mains came to the district earlier this year and learned in the fall that the district hadn’t been part of the United Way’s campaign for many years. So, he enlisted Pine Bush Teachers Association President Chris Passudetti to co-chair the campaign with him and they were off and running.

Employees wishing to donate had the option of making a one-time donation or scheduling a donation with each paycheck. In addition, those donating via payroll deduction could select to spread their gift over 20 paychecks (running into next year) or just ten pay periods ending this May.

Those who donate to the United Way help support a wide variety of programs and services focused in the areas of education, income and health. United Way goals are to help people meet their basic needs following disaster or personal crisis, according to the group’s website. Money raised locally is spent locally on a variety of programs, initiatives and collaborations for people in Dutchess and Orange counties.

Pine Bush School Central School District employees gathered to present the ceremonial check to Emily Sassano of the United Way. Pictured here, from left, are Lynn Baldassano, Debbie June, Linda Rogers-Seeley, Elizabeth Sproul, Emily Sassano, Moira Roberts, John Boyle, Stacey Brown, Chris Passudetti, Holly Schader, Steve Charchan, school board member Kristi Kheiralla, Ryan Reed, John Hicks, Tim Mains, and Romulo Gabriel.