The Three-Time Five Star
​Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter

Our Families

Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of Jack and Jill of America has stood the test of time boasting more than 30 years of working, playing, and living Jack and Jill of America's national aims and goals of fundamental educational, cultural, civic, social, and health service programs to improve the lives of children.
Today, MHVC is led by Chapter President Dawanna Veneable, and is comprised of 34 Mother Members,
14 Associate Jewels, an active Fathers Auxiliary, and 65 children and teens. The Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter’s theme this year is Serving in Unity; Rooted in Love!
In 2023, under President Dawanna’s leadership, the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter was awarded the Eastern Region Chapter of the Year award in addition to two awards for our record-setting 30th Anniversary fundraiser. MHVC also earned JJOA’s Five Star
Chapter of Excellence certification for the past three biennium. These awards acknowledge our progress toward the ever-aspirational goal of delivering exceptional programming befitting our chapter’s rich legacy and history of excellence. In this new program year, we are excited to see not only how our children will continue to develop, but also how our mothers, fathers, children, and teens will grow
through dedicated service to the Hudson Valley community

Foundation

Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc. is the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Since its inception in 1968, the Foundation has distributed millions of dollars to communities all across America. In doing so, the Foundation is fulfilling its shared vision with Jack and Jill of America, Inc., to invest in the future of our children.

Save The Date

April 5, 2025

The Inaugural
Illuminating Excellence Gala

Visit the Illuminating Excellence Gala page on this site for more information. 

Some of the highlights of our storied history include:

  • In March of 1997, MHVC hosted the Eastern Regional Metropolitan Cluster (now known as Area Workday) in Fishkill, NY. Ossie Davis was the Special Guest and Workshop Facilitator.
  • In October of 2002, MHVC celebrated its tenth anniversary with a gala fundraiser in Somers, NY.
  • MHVC Mother Robin Williams was elected to two terms on the Eastern Regional Nominating Committee. She served in 2008-2010 and 2010-2012.
  • In the fall of 2010, MHVC hosted the Metropolitan Area Workday in Tarrytown, NY.
  • In 2011, the chapter received a trophy for its Program Handbook, the first award of many for MHVC’s Program Handbooks. Our Program Handbooks have been recognized every year since.
  • MHV Mother and Past President Margaret Gibson was elected as Eastern Regional Secretary at the 2015 Regional Conference. Past Regional Secretary Margaret served two terms in this office.​
  • In November of 2017, the chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary at a formal fundraising gala themed: “Shimmering, Shining, and Serving our Community.”​
  • ​At the 2021 Regional Conference, then-President De-Angela Watt was elected to the Eastern Regional Nominating Committee. She served from 2021-2023.
  • ​MHVC was awarded the Five Star Chapter of Excellence certification at the 2020, 2022, and 2024 JJOA National Conventions.
  • On October 17, 2021, the Mid-Hudson Valley Associate Group was chartered. Four Life Members and three Associate Jewels were installed on the chapter’s 29th anniversary.
  • In 2021 and again in 2022, our two-term Chapter Treasurer Natalie Rawlinson received the third-place Eastern Region Treasurer of the Year award.
  • On October 8, 2022, MHVC celebrated 30 years of leadership and service to the Hudson Valley at a gala event that was held in the same location as the chapter was chartered thirty years before.
  • In 2023, at the 33rd Eastern Regional Conference in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, MHVC earned the following awards:
  1. ​2023 Eastern Region Chapter of the Year
  2. 2023 First Place Eastern Region Foundation Contribution per capita
  3. 2023 Second Place Eastern Region Overall Foundation Contribution
  4. 2022-2023 Program Handbook Meets Requirements

In addition, a number of MHVC Mothers have been appointed over the years to Regional and National positions, including :

  • Joann Richardson - 2003 Regional Program Director
  • Margaret Gibson – 2011 Eastern Regional Scribe
  • Margaret Gibson – 2012 AIM for Healthy Living Coordinator
  • Margaret Gibson – 2013 Community Service Chair
  • Margaret Gibson – 2014 Regional Protocol Chair
  • Dawanna Veneable – 2018 National Rules & Regulations Committee
  • Karen St. Vil – 2020 National Historical Task Force
  • Robin Williams – 2021 National and Regional Protocol Chair
  • Dawanna Veneable – 2023 Eastern Regional Chaplain & Chair, Chaplain’s Council and 2024 National Small but Mighty Chapter Support Task Force