December 1st, 2011

Fulton, NY ? Supporters of the United Way of Greater Oswego County filled the Parish Center of St. Joseph?s Church in Oswego as the community came together to enjoy a delicious meal of soup, salad and breads at the United Way?s ?Stone Soup? Holiday Luncheon. The United Way?s Annual Stone Soup Luncheon provides member agencies and their employees with an opportunity to get together and share a meal with the staff and board members of the United Way as well as community members who proudly support the efforts of the United Way.

?Our Stone Soup Holiday Luncheon was a great success, with more than 150 people in attendance we raised more than $1500.00 and collected hundreds of food items for our local food pantries. I want to thank the community members who attended, and our many caring sponsors who donated the food for our luncheon: The American Foundry, Bridie Manor, Canale?s Restaurant, GS Steamers, Oswego Country Club, Ruby Tuesday, Vona?s Restaurant, C?s Farms, Davis Bros., Bosco & Geers, and Cakes Galore; and those who donated gift cards for door prizes Cam?s Pizzeria, Advantage Carpet/Taylor Rental, Tesoriero Chiropractic, and Key Bank Oswego.

I especially extend thanks the Oswego Lions Club, Oswego Rotary International, and Boilermakers Union Local #5 for their generous monetary donations to our food pantries; the businesses who donated food or hosted food drives including; Oswego Health, 24-Hour Record Retriever & Abstract, Inc., Oswego Price Chopper, Shapiro Motors, Realty USA; and our dedicated volunteers: Dan, Helen and Christie Hoefer, Kathy and Kerrigan Cummins, Cathy Burt, Mary Kay Donovan, Jim McGann, Roxanna Gillen, Amanda Race, Chrystal Hoyt, Coach Diane Dillon, Lauren Gilpin and Jillian Bergeron of the SUNY Oswego Laker Women?s Ice Hockey Team, Laree Pease, Jackie Thorpe, our committee members; Chairperson, Aaron Thorpe, Shawn Seale, Helen Hoefer, Marion Ciciarelli and Deb Deeb, who helped prepare, serve and clean-up after the event which was graciously hosted by St. Joseph?s Church in their Parish Center. Their desire to support our local food pantries is a wonderful expression of dedication to their community, their concern for others and their willingness to ?Live United.?

All proceeds from the event, along with the food donations will be donated to food pantries throughout Oswego County.

Cut line for Vols photo: United Way Serves Up Stone Soup. Pictured above are some of the many volunteers who helped host the United Way?s ?Stone Soup? Holiday Luncheon. From left are: Catholic Charities Volunteer, Dan Hoefer; Human Concerns Volunteer, Jim McGann; Director of Human Concerns, Deb Deeb; and Community Volunteer, Roxanne Gillen.

December 1st, 2011

Fulton, NY ? Supporters of the United Way of Greater Oswego County filled the Parish Center of St. Joseph?s Church in Oswego as the community came together to enjoy a delicious meal of soup, salad and breads at the United Way?s ?Stone Soup? Holiday Luncheon. The United Way?s Annual Stone Soup Luncheon provides member agencies and their employees with an opportunity to get together and share a meal with the staff and board members of the United Way as well as community members who proudly support the efforts of the United Way.

?Our Stone Soup Holiday Luncheon was a great success, with more than 150 people in attendance we raised more than $1500.00 and collected hundreds of food items for our local food pantries. I want to thank the community members who attended, and our many caring sponsors who donated the food for our luncheon: The American Foundry, Bridie Manor, Canale?s Restaurant, GS Steamers, Oswego Country Club, Ruby Tuesday, Vona?s Restaurant, C?s Farms, Davis Bros., Bosco & Geers, and Cakes Galore; and those who donated gift cards for door prizes Cam?s Pizzeria, Advantage Carpet/Taylor Rental, Tesoriero Chiropractic, and Key Bank Oswego.

I especially extend thanks the Oswego Lions Club, Oswego Rotary International, and Boilermakers Union Local #5 for their generous monetary donations to our food pantries; the businesses who donated food or hosted food drives including; Oswego Health, 24-Hour Record Retriever & Abstract, Inc., Oswego Price Chopper, Shapiro Motors, Realty USA; and our dedicated volunteers: Dan, Helen and Christie Hoefer, Kathy and Kerrigan Cummins, Cathy Burt, Mary Kay Donovan, Jim McGann, Roxanna Gillen, Amanda Race, Chrystal Hoyt, Coach Diane Dillon, Lauren Gilpin and Jillian Bergeron of the SUNY Oswego Laker Women?s Ice Hockey Team, Laree Pease, Jackie Thorpe, our committee members; Chairperson, Aaron Thorpe, Shawn Seale, Helen Hoefer, Marion Ciciarelli and Deb Deeb, who helped prepare, serve and clean-up after the event which was graciously hosted by St. Joseph?s Church in their Parish Center. Their desire to support our local food pantries is a wonderful expression of dedication to their community, their concern for others and their willingness to ?Live United.?

All proceeds from the event, along with the food donations will be donated to food pantries throughout Oswego County.

Cut line for Food Photo: Stone Soup Committee Member, Aaron Thorpe of 24-Hour Record Retriever & Abstract in Oswego and Jackie Thorpe of the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce were on hand to collect food donations during the United Way?s Annual Stone Soup Luncheon. Held November 10th at St. Joseph?s Church Parish Center, the event served more than 150 people and raised over $1,500.00 to help stock the shelves of food pantries throughout Oswego County.

December 1st, 2011

Fulton, NY ? Union Supports United Way Luncheon. Jim Waldron of the Boilermakers Union, Local # 5 presents United Way Stone Soup Committee Member, Aaron Thorpe of 24-Hour Record Retriever & Abstract in Oswego, with a check in support of the agency?s ?Stone Soup? Holiday Luncheon. Held Thursday, December 10th at St. Joseph?s Parish Center in Oswego, the annual event helps to raise funds and food donations for food pantries throughout Oswego County. Pictured above from left are: Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler, Aaron Thorpe, Jim Waldron, and Deb Deeb of Human Concerns.

November 11th, 2011

Fulton, NY – As part of United Way Night, representatives from the SUNY Oswego Athletic Department invited representatives from the United Way of Greater Oswego County to take part in the ceremonial puck drop prior to the SUNY Oswego Lakers Men?s Ice Hockey game November 5th at the SUNY Oswego Campus Center.

The SUNY Athletic Department also collected food before the Men?s and Women?s hockey games. Pictured to left dropping the puck from left Captain of the Brockport Men?s Ice Hockey Team, Adam Shoff; Executive Director of the United Way Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler; Melanie?s daughter, Kate Kahanovitz; Assistant Athletic Director, Cora Brumley; and Captain of the SUNY Oswego Lakers Men?s Ice Hockey Team, Andrew Mather.

November 11th, 2011

Fulton, NY ? Members of the SUNY Oswego Lakers Women?s Ice Hockey team demonstrated their support for the United Way of Greater Oswego County by volunteering to serve soup during the United Way?s Annual Stone Soup Luncheon. Held November 10th at St. Joseph?s Church Parish Center, the event raised more than $1,500.00 to help stock the shelves of food pantries throughout Oswego County. Pictured above from left are: Lauren Gilpin, Jillian Bergeron, and Head Coach, Diane Dillon.

November 3rd, 2011

Oswego, NY ? The United Way of Greater Oswego County and DuFore?s for Diamonds will be making one lucky person?s Christmas extra special this year. DuFore?s has donated a half-carat total weight diamond ring, valued at $1,200, which will be used for a drawing in support of the United Way?s Annual Campaign. The pendant is currently on display at DuFore?s.

?We appreciate DuFore?s support of our campaign with this very generous donation,? said Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler. ?It?s wonderful to see small businesses come forward and show their concern for the community by helping their local United Way. The support that we receive from community minded businesses such as DuFore?s Jewelers plays an important part in allowing us to meet our goals and continue to offer financial support to the many member agency programs that mean so much to so many in our county.?

Tickets for the diamond ring drawing are only $1.00 and are available at DuFore?s Jewelers, 94 West Second Street in Oswego, your local United Way office in the HSBC bank building, 1 South First Street in Fulton, and during United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon being held Thursday, November 10th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The drawing will be held at 11:00 a.m. on December 24th at DuFore?s. Proceeds will benefit the United Way of Greater Oswego County.

Cut line for photo: The Perfect Gift. DuFore?s Jewelers in Oswego is holding a drawing for a half-carat total weight woman?s diamond ring in support of the United Way?s Annual Campaign. Tickets are available at the United Way office in the HSBC bank building, 1 South First Street in Fulton, during United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon being held Thursday, November 10th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and at DuFore’s Jewelers, 94 West Second Street in Oswego, where the ring will be on display during DuFore?s Holiday Open House to be held, Saturday, November 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 12th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Picture above with the ring are from left: Resource Development Director for the United Way, Lois Luber, Mark DuFore, Executive Director of the United Way, Melanie Trexler, and Greg DuFore.

October 27th, 2011

Oswego, NY ? The United Way of Greater Oswego County will be hosting the 6th Annual Stone Soup Luncheon on Thursday, November 10th at St. Joseph?s Parish Center on West 1st Street in Oswego. The United Way invites community members to come together to enjoy a luncheon that will aid local food pantries. Food pantries throughout Oswego County are feeling a strain this year and this holiday season will be prove to be especially challenging as they struggle to meet the increased demand for food subsidy in Oswego County.

To assist the food pantries this holiday season the United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon will serve as the kickoff for United Way?s Fill-A-Bag program. Resource Development Director for the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Lois Luber, explains. ?We are asking attendees to keep the shelves of our local food pantries well stocked by bringing with them a bag full of non-perishable food items that will be distributed to the pantries.

Luber said that the United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon would also feature an opportunity to win some great door prizes. ?Businesses and organizations will be eligible for a drawing to win lunch for the office. Each bag donated receives a chance to win one of three $100 restaurant gift cards courtesy of Tesoriero Chiropractic, Advantage Carpet / Taylor Rental, and Cam?s Pizzeria. Additionally, individuals who donate a bag full of food items will be eligible for $10 and $25 restaurant gift cards,? explained Lois Luber, Resource Development Director for United Way of Oswego County.

?Our Stone Soup Luncheon is an excellent example of the ?Live United? concept as a number of caring local businesses have come forward to donate the food and beverages necessary. This year we will be expanding our soup choices as others restaurants will join our returning soup providers, Canale?s Restaurant, Vona?s Restaurant, and the American Foundry. The luncheon will also include salad, fresh baked rolls; a variety of desserts; and fresh brewed hot coffee,? added Luber.

The United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon is open to the public and will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, November 10th at St. Joseph?s Parish Center, West First Street in Oswego. Those unable to attend the luncheon but would like to donate food items may contact Helen Hoefer, director of Catholic Charities of Oswego County?s Emergency Services program at 598-3980 for information on where to drop off non-perishable food donations throughout Oswego County. The United Way will be accepting a donation of $5.00 per person to enjoy a delicious luncheon of Stone Soup. All proceeds from the event, as well as the food that is collected, will be donated to local food pantries.

For more information, or to make reservations to attend the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s contact your United Way office at 315-593-1900 x 202.

Cut line for photo: Soup?s On! Stone Soup Planning Committee Member, Marion Ciciarelli of Oswego Health receives a cup of soup from a member of the SUNY Oswego Women?s Ice Hockey Team at last year?s United Way Stone Soup Luncheon. Scheduled for Thursday, November 10th the luncheon will at held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in St. Joseph?s Parish Center, West First Street in Oswego. All proceeds from the event, as well as the food that is collected, will be donated to local food pantries. Also serving as members of the planning committee are: Shawn Seale of Key Bank; Helen Hoefer of Catholic Charities of Oswego County, Deb Deeb of Human Concerns, community volunteer Pat Benjamin, and Aaron Thorpe of 24-Hour Record-Retriever-Abstract.

October 13th, 2011

Oswego, NY ? When it comes to helping their community and supporting their local United Way nobody knows its importance more than the employees at Novelis Oswego Works. To ensure the success of their in-house campaign for the United Way of Greater Oswego County, they decided to get off to an early start and have planned a number of unique incentives.

?I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Novelis kicked off their in-house campaign early by hosting a chicken barbeque and a drawing for a gas grill,? said Lois Luber, development director for the United Way of Greater Oswego County. ?They raised more than $500 and got their campaign off to a fast start.?

According to Carol Dillabough of Novelis the company?s United Way campaign team was excited to get the campaign underway. ?Novelis Oswego Works is united as a team for the purpose of reaching our goal for the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Campaign. Our internal United Way team LIVE UNITED with the same goals and objectives of the United Way. Our Novelis United Way team was happy to get a jump-start on our campaign. Thanks to the support we received from the community, the Oswego Elks Club and the efforts of our volunteers, our chicken barbecue was a success.?

Dick Delaney, a member of the Novelis internal United Way campaign team added that the team is dedicated to keeping their fellow employees informed of the United Way?s impact on their community. ?We talk about our community needs and how we are proud of Novelis supporting the needs of people throughout Oswego County. Our employees understand the needs of our community, as our teams are able to find examples of families and individuals within our own organization that have benefited from services offered through United Way agencies and present those examples to our workforce. We keep our teams updated on the status of the campaign and adjust our strategy as needed to reach our goal. Additionally, Cindy Schremp administers a very successful retiree campaign.

Delaney also credited the friendly competitions between departments as an incentive to support their campaign. ?We have contests between departments involving management personnel relating to participating levels for each department. One example of such is currently underway in our Cold Mill department. If the Cold Mill department leads the plant in employee participation for our United Way campaign, the Cold Mill manager, who is a loyal Buffalo Sabers fan, will wear a Rangers jersey for a day! Novelis recognizes the many benefits of being socially responsible and management strongly supports our internal United Way campaign. They also allow the employees to be creative with the campaign and let us conduct it in a hands-off manner. Novelis? encouragement and our employees enthusiasm are the keys to our success!? said Delaney.

Cut line for photo: Lois Luber, resource development director with United Way of Greater Oswego County recently met with Novelis Oswego Works? internal United Way campaign team to discuss team?s efforts. The Novelis team got their campaign off to a fast start and are well on their way to reaching their goal. Above from left are: Cindy Finnegan, Lois Luber, Carol Dillabough, Tim Foster, Thomas Ware, Joyce Pritchard, Cheryl Greer, Bree Simoneau and Dick Delaney.

September 29th, 2011

Fulton, NY ? When it comes to the United Way?s mission of raising awareness of the human needs that exist in Oswego County, the efforts of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of Oswego County focuses on one of the most important.

Located at 301 Beech Street in Fulton and 4822 Salina Street in Pulaski, the CAC is a non-profit charitable organization that provides a range of services to children who have been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused. Working together with area law enforcement agencies, the Department of Social Services, and a multi-disciplinary team, comprised of a cross section of law enforcement investigators, child protective services, medical providers, therapeutic professionals, victim support professionals, probation officers, and the district attorney?s office, the CAC assists in reviewing each case and establishes an effective approach for the child abuse investigation and prosecution, and service provision to families and individuals affected by child abuse. In 2010 the CAC evaluated more than 240 children and provided over 4,650 services to children and their families in Oswego County. Most sexual abuse crimes still go unreported. Experts believe as few as 1 in 10 children will ever disclose. Now more than ever, it is important for people to be aware of the signs of child abuse and to speak up if they believe something unsafe is happening to a child.

Executive Director of United Way of Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler, was pleased to highlight the work of the CAC at the United Way?s Campaign Kick-Off breakfast. ?When Lauren Daniels, who produced our videos for last year and this year?s campaign kick-off, approached me about a video spotlighting the CAC, I thought it was very appropriate as the CAC?s mission and goals align nicely with our mission by raising awareness of local human needs and supporting solutions that address those needs. One of our newest member agencies, the CAC is vital to our community as it protects and helps victims recover from an extremely traumatic situation. Children are our future, the CAC advocates for our children and provides vital services that help abused children recover and lead productive lives,? said Trexler.

Once Daniels received word that her choice of the CAC for the video was welcomed by both the United Way staff and the Campaign Cabinet, she was ready to learn more about the CAC and excited to begin filming the video. ?I suggested the CAC as the agency for the video because I knew they provided a much needed service for the children of our community. It was enlightening to see the wide range of services that are available to children who have suffered abuse and their families and learn about those services in-depth,? said Daniels.

Upon her first visit inside the offices of the CAC, Daniels was impressed with what she saw. ?The atmosphere is very comforting, as soon as I walked in I felt completely at ease. It was easy to imagine how a child and their parents would experience a similar feeling. Executive Director, Karrie Damm and her staff were wonderful to work with and I was amazed at the amount of resources that they offer for victimized children and their families. The facility is designed and decorated perfectly with plenty of toys for the children and allows the examination process to be as stress free as possible. They are truly amazing at what they do and I am very pleased to have been able to highlight the positive impact the CAC has on our community,? said Daniels.

For Executive Director of the CAC, Karrie Damm, the recognition was a humbling experience. ?We are honored that United Way chose to highlight the CAC at their campaign kick-off and I appreciate the time and effort Lauren put into producing the video. United Way truly does take care of those who take care of others by supporting agencies who are in the trenches and meeting needs everyday. These agencies and programs ensure that people are fed, clothed, supported, and protected. The funding that we receive from United Way enhances our ability to ensure that children and families can find justice, hope, and healing after child abuse. There are so many wonderful agencies in Oswego County who receive United Way support, we sincerely appreciate being part of such a terrific group,? said Damm.

For more information on the Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County contact their main office at 315-592-4453 or visit their website www.oswegocac.org.

Cut line for photo: United Way of Greater Oswego County recognized the Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County during its Annual Campaign Kick-Off breakfast with a video highlighting the work of the CAC. A non-profit charitable organization, the CAC provides a range of services to children who have been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused. Above seated from left are: Lauren Daniels; Executive Director of the CAC, Karrie Damm; Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler; and Chairman of the United Way?s Campaign Cabinet, Jonathan Daniels, Executive Director of the Port of Oswego Authority. Standing from left are: United Way Campaign Cabinet Members, Brian Finn of Entergy; Dick Delaney of Novelis; Vice President of the CAC?s Board of Directors, Ray Cruz; United Way Campaign Cabinet Member. Doug McRae of Bond, Schoeneck & King; United Way Board President, Wendy Tetro of Fulton Savings Bank; United Way Campaign Cabinet Member, Rob Rolfe of Pathfinder Bank; and CAC staff members Melanie Proper, Jennifer Bray, Jennifer Glowacki, and Stacy Austin-Root.

September 28th, 2011

Fulton, NY ? The United Way of Greater Oswego County is once again offering its donors the opportunity to be rewarded for helping their community. The United Way?s Donor Incentive Program offers those who donate to the agency?s 2011 / 2012 Annual Campaign the opportunity to win special prizes as an incentive for supporting the United Way?s campaign.

Resource Development Director for the United Way, Lois Luber explains, ?We established our incentive campaign in 2008 in response to a suggestion by our Campaign Cabinet, due to the feedback we received from our donors and our campaign coordinators, we have decided to continue the incentive campaign and have once again partnered with a number of area business to offer our supporters the opportunity to win some great prizes. Those pledging a minimum donation of $1.00 per week for one year to the United Way?s 2011 / 2012 Annual Campaign will be automatically entered into the drawings, which will take place in the spring. These incentives are a nice way for us to do something for our donors and hopefully increase the number of first time pledges.?

Luber said that this year United Way is focused on having gift cards to area restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations as the prizes that donors to the United Way?s 2010 / 2011 Annual Campaign will be eligible to win. ?We are pleased to be able to offer these prizes to our donors and are appreciative of the support we have received from those who helped make these prizes available including; Burritt Motors, CENG, Entergy, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Planned Results, DuFore?s Jewelers, and Bosco & Geers,? said Luber.

Those interested may also register on line by visiting the United Way website, oswegounitedway.org. The prize drawings will be held in February. For more information on the United Way of Greater Oswego County or to make a donation to the 2011 / 2012 Annual Campaign, you may contact them at 593-1900.