Dreaming Goddess, the esoteric gift shop in Poughkeepsie, has donated more than $15,000 to various Hudson Valley charities since 2012 through its Dreaming Goddess Giveback Program. A critical component of the program is to collect and sell books and donate the proceeds to charity. This quarter’s proceeds will be donated to Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley, says Dreaming Goddess owner, Rhianna Mirabello.

For more than 40 years, Literacy Connections has been dedicated to developing and offering programs and services to support a literate society. It recruits and trains volunteers to provide no-cost, student-centered tutoring primarily for adults, and offer programs and services for children and families that promote independence and enrichment through literacy, which are detailed on LiteracyConnections.org.

The Dreaming Goddess accepts donations of good-condition used books any time during business hours, Rhianna says. “We have been able to cultivate a wonderfully diverse selection over the years—spirituality, the metaphysical, healthy living, science, art and even Tarot and oracle decks. Books are being donated all the time, so there is a constantly evolving selection to choose from.”

Community is the cornerstone of the Dreaming Goddess, she notes. “We want to thank everyone who continues to join us in our efforts to provide aid both locally and in broader communities around the world. There are so many who are in need of our kindness, support and generosity.”

The Dreaming Goddess is located at 44 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY. For more information, call 845.473.2206 or visit DreamingGoddess.com.