August 30th, 2011

Fulton, NY ? Members of the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Campaign Cabinet are busy putting the final touches on the agenda for one of the most anticipated events of the fall, the United Way?s Annual Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast. Scheduled for Wednesday, September 14th, the event, which is being sponsored by Burritt Motors, CENG, Entergy, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and Planned Results, will be held from 8:00 ? 9:00 a.m. at the American Foundry, Route 104 East (behind Fajita Grill) in Oswego.

Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler, said that the United Way?s Campaign Cabinet, under the direction of Chairperson, Jonathan Daniels, has been working diligently to ensure that the United Way?s Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast is an enlightening and inspiring event that will provide community members with a better understanding of the positive impact the United Way has on Oswego County. ?Our Campaign Cabinet is excited about this year?s campaign and are 100% committed to achieving our goals. They are looking forward to sharing their enthusiasm for the United Way and encouraging others to support our mission of improving lives by empowering our community,? said Trexler.

Comprised of a cross section of concerned community leaders, the United Way?s Campaign Cabinet works hand in hand with the United Way staff as they plan, implement, and oversee the United Way?s Annual Campaign. Whether it?s helping to establish employee giving campaigns, arranging company presentations, or speaking with civic groups and other organizations, the members of the United Way?s Campaign Cabinet are dedicated to sharing the United Way?s mission with the community.

?We couldn?t do it without them,? said Trexler. They are the driving force behind our campaign. Their commitment to the United Way and their ability to inspire their fellow community members is what will make this campaign a success. We are truly appreciative of their efforts and are proud to count them among our supporters.?

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will once again serve as a sponsor for the agency?s Annual Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast. “Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is pleased to support the United Way of Greater Oswego County for the fifth consecutive year,” said Arthur Vercillo, M.D., regional president, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “It is our mission to partner with organizations that provide programs and services that benefit the residents of the communities we serve. The United Way of Greater Oswego County is one of those organizations which helps ensure that every dollar donated is used exactly where it’s needed the most to benefit individuals and families in Oswego County.”

The United Way?s Annual Campaign serves as the organizations primary fundraiser as the campaign looks to raise money in support of the many human services programs that the United Way and its member agencies provide for those who live in Oswego County. Open to the public, the Campaign Kick-Off provides community members with the opportunity to learn more about the mission of the United Way and encourage them to support the 2011 / 2012 campaign.

The cost to attend the United Way Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast is $15.00. For more information, or to make reservations to attend the United Way Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast, contact Lois Luber at your United Way office, 593-1900 or via e-mail at loisunitedway@windstream.net.

Cut line for photo: Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler meets with members of the United Way?s Campaign Cabinet in preparation for United Way?s Annual Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast. Scheduled for 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 14th at the American Foundry in Oswego, the event will highlight the United Way?s community partnerships and focus on the agency?s vision of improving lives by empowering our community. For more information or to make reservations, contact your United Way office at 593-1900. Pictured above from left are: Dick Delaney of Novelis; Doug McRae of Bond, Schoeneck & King; Lois Luber, resource development director for United Way of Greater Oswego County; United Way Executive Director, Melanie Trexler; Robert Rolfe of Pathfinder Bank, Jonathan Daniels, executive director of the Port of Authority of Oswego; and Steve Doty of CENG. Absent from the photo is Campaign Cabinet member Brian Finn of Entergy.

August 29th, 2011

Fulton, NY ? Food pantries in the Pulaski, Sandy Creek and Lacona area will receive some much needed support as United Way of Greater Oswego County brings its first ever Stone Soup luncheon to Sandy Creek. Open to the public, the luncheon will be held Sunday, September 18th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Sandy Creek United Methodist Church, 2031 Harwood Drive, just off Rt. 81 exit 37.

Eddy?s Place Restaurant, The River House Restaurant, Rainbow Shores Restaurant, and the Sandy Pond Steak House are providing soups for the luncheon, with other area businesses donating fresh vegetables for salad, rolls, coffee and desert.

The United Way is accepting donations of $5 per person. All proceeds from the luncheon will be used to support the Pulaski Community Ministries Food Pantry, the Sandy Creek / Lacona Community Cupboard, the Richland / Rural & Migrant Ministries Food Pantry, and the Lacona / North Country Christian Church Soup Kitchen. Attendees are encouraged to please bring a donation of non-perishable food items, as the United Way will be collecting donations for those food pantries as well.

Community members who would like to donate fresh produce from their garden are welcome to do so by bringing their donations to the Sandy Creek United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 17th from 9:00 ?11:00 a.m. Businesses wishing to be a part of the United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon may contact Lois Luber at 315-593-1900.

Cut line for photo: Committee members for the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Stone Soup Luncheon recently visited the Pulaski Farmers? Market to help promote the event. Scheduled for Sunday, September 18th, the United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon serves as a fundraiser for area food pantries, and will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sandy Creek United Methodist Church, 2031 Harwood Drive in Sandy Creek. Above from left are committee members, Pat Rossman, with her grandson Diesel Clark; Brian Leary, owner of Lakeshore Hardwoods; and Lois Luber, Resource Development Director for the United Way.

August 18th, 2011

Fulton, NY ? The United Way?s first ever Stone Soup luncheon in Sandy Creek is receiving some solid support from area restaurants and other businesses as committee members prepare the luncheon menu.

According to Lois Luber, resource development director for the United Way, Eddy?s Place Restaurant, The River House Restaurant, Rainbow Shores Restaurant, and the Sandy Pond Steak House will provide soups for the luncheon. ?We are appreciative of the support we are receiving for our Stone Soup luncheon. The concern that these businesses are demonstrating for their community is commendable,? said Luber.

Paula and Ed Ward of Eddy?s Place Restaurant, 3866 Rome Road in Pulaski, who are donating soup, are excited about the event. ?When Lois asked us for a donation to the luncheon we thought, what a great idea. Ed’s soups have become quite popular in this area and his Cream of Mushroom soup, which will be served at the luncheon, is probably the most popular and requested soup we serve.

The United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon is a fantastic, yet simple way to fundraise for our local food pantries. There is always a need for this service and having an affordable, simple luncheon for the public is a great way to do it. We are happy to be a part of it and I encourage everyone to come out to support this worthy cause,? said Paula.

Open to the public, the United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon will be held Sunday, September 18th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Sandy Creek United Methodist Church, 2031 Harwood Drive, just off Rt. 81 exit 37.

The United Way is accepting donations of $5 per person. All proceeds from the luncheon will be used to support the Pulaski Community Ministries Food Pantry, the Sandy Creek / Lacona Community Cupboard, the Richland / Rural & Migrant Ministries Food Pantry, and the Lacona / North Country Christian Church Soup Kitchen. Attendees are encouraged to please bring a donation of non-perishable food items, as the United Way will be collecting donations for those food pantries as well.

?We are still welcoming sponsors and donations from local businesses wishing to be a part of our Stone Soup Luncheon. Community members who would like to donate fresh produce from their garden are welcome to do so by bringing their donations to the Sandy Creek United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 17th from 9:00 ?11:00 a.m.,? added Luber.

Those unable to attend the luncheon, but would like to donate food items, may contact Peggy Manchester at 387-5539 for information on where to drop off non-perishable food donations throughout Oswego County.

For more information contact your United Way office at 593-1900.

Cut line for photo: Resource Development Director for the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Lois Luber (l), meets with Paula and Ed Ward of Eddy?s Place Restaurant, 3866 Rome Road in Pulaski, to plan the menu for the agency?s Stone Soup Luncheon. The luncheon, which serves as a fundraiser for area food pantries, will be held Sunday, September 18th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sandy Creek United Methodist Church, 2031 Harwood Drive in Sandy Creek.

August 10th, 2011

Fulton, NY ? With the need for food subsidy increasing and food pantries throughout Oswego County being hard pressed to meet the growing demand, the United Way of Greater Oswego County is doing its part to raise awareness of the food shortage in Oswego County and encourage the community to help fill the shelves of our area food pantries. On Sunday, September 18th the United Way of Greater Oswego County will hold their first ever Stone Soup Luncheon in Sandy Creek.

Hosted by Sandy Creek United Methodist Church, 2031 Harwood Drive, just off Rt. 81 exit 37, the United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon will draw upon the agency?s theme of ?Live United? as the United Way invites community members to come together to break bread, warm their hearts, gather with friends, and enjoy a delicious lunch of Stone Soup while helping to support Oswego County?s struggling food pantries.

?With the success of our Stone Soup Luncheons in Oswego and Fulton we thought it would be a great idea to introduce it to the Sandy Creek area,? said Resource Development Director for the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Lois Luber. ?There is a dire need for food subsidy in our county and it is becoming increasingly difficult for food pantries to meet this need. Our goal with the Stone Soup Luncheon is to not only raise awareness of this problem, but raise funds and provide food pantries in Oswego County with additional food.?

?The story of Stone Soup dates back to an event that took place in post-war Europe when the residents of an impoverished village all donated what they could to make a delicious meal that could feed the whole village. The moral of Stone Soup is that working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good can be achieved,? explained Luber. ?It is a reflection of the United Way?s ?Live United? concept. We are all connected. When you reach out and help someone in need that action has an effect that reverberates throughout the community. By supporting the United Way you not only bring comfort to those in need, you help inspire others to lend their support and ultimately enable us and our member agencies to serve even more families and individuals.?

?Our Stone Soup Luncheon is an excellent example of this, as a number of caring local businesses have come forward to donate the food and beverages necessary. The River House Restaurant, Rainbow Shores Restaurant, Sandy Pond Steak House, and Eddy?s Place Restaurant will provide soups. Top?s Market will provide cake for dessert. Additional local businesses will be providing salad, fresh rolls, coffee and cookies,? added Luber.

The United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon is open to the public and will be held Sunday, September 18th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Sandy Creek United Methodist Church, 2031 Harwood Drive. The United Way is accepting donations of $5 per person. All proceeds from the luncheon will be used to support the Pulaski Community Ministries Food Pantry, the Sandy Creek / Lacona Community Cupboard, the Richland / Rural & Migrant Ministries Food Pantry, and the Lacona / North Country Christian Church Soup Kitchen. Attendees are encouraged to please bring a donation of non-perishable food items, as the United Way will be collecting donations for those food pantries as well.

?Our food pantries are really feeling a strain this year and it is becoming especially challenging for them as they try to meet the demand for food subsidy throughout Oswego County,? added Luber. ?The food collected, and the money raised at our Stone Soup Luncheon will be greatly appreciated.?

Luber added that United Way is still seeking sponsors and donations for the Stone Soup Luncheon. ?We invite local businesses to be a part of our Stone Soup Luncheon and are welcoming additional sponsors. Community members wishing to donate fresh produce from their garden are welcome to do so by bringing their donations to the Sandy Creek United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 17th from 9:00 ?11:00 a.m.

Those unable to attend the luncheon, but would like to donate food items, may contact Peggy Manchester at 387-5539 for information on where to drop off non-perishable food donations throughout Oswego County.

For more information contact your United Way office at 593-1900.

Cut line for photo: United Way brings Stone Soup Luncheon to Sandy Creek. Committee members for the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Stone Soup Luncheon in Sandy Creek meet to discuss details for the event. Scheduled for Sunday, September 18th the Stone Soup luncheon, which will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sandy Creek United Methodist Church, 2031 Harwood Drive, serves as a fundraiser for area food pantries. Above seated from left are: Oswego County Opportunities? Director of Senior Nutrition, Amy Roland, Resource Development Director for United Way of Greater Oswego County, Lois Luber, Peggy Manchester of the Sandy Creek / Lacona Food Pantry; and Community Volunteer, Pat Rossman. Absent from photo are committee members, Penny Kimball of Rural and Migrant Ministries of Oswego County; Helen Hoefer, director of Emergency Services at Catholic Charities of Oswego County; Brian Leary of Lakeshore Hardwoods; and Kathy Crandall of Community Bank.