December 20th, 2012

Oswego, NY ? In keeping with their tradition of giving back to the community, members of BPO Elks Lodge #271 recently presented United Way of Greater Oswego with a $5,000 donation in support of United Way?s Community Fund. Oswego Elks member, Tom Wuilliez said that the membership was happy to be able to help United Way in its efforts to improve the quality of life in Oswego and its neighboring communities.

?The United Way does a remarkable job helping those in need. The many programs supported by United Way, and administered through United Way member agencies, have a positive effect on those that they serve. From youth to seniors United Way programs make a difference. It is our community and we do take it personal. We are appreciative of what United Way does and are happy to be able to count them among the organizations that the Oswego Elks Lodge #271 supports,? said Wuilliez.

According to Melanie Trexler, executive director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, the agency?s Community Fund serves a wide variety of human services program. ?The Community Fund allows us to providing funding to those programs when they need it the most. The Community Fund is an essential part of our annual campaign and we are thankful that the Oswego Elks Lodge recognizes our efforts and chose us for this generous donation. It is a wonderful example of how the partnerships we create with our area organizations allow us to serve even more families and individuals in Oswego County,? said Trexler.

For more information on United Way of Greater Oswego County, or to contribute to their annual campaign, contact your United Way office at 315-593-1900.

Cut line for photo: Members of BPO Elks #271 in Oswego present Lois Luber, resource development director with United Way of Oswego County with a check for $5,000 for the United Way?s Community Fund. From left are: Tom Wuilliez, AJ Combs, Exalted Ruler, John Pelmear, Lois Luber, and John Rinaldo.

December 20th, 2012

Pulaski, NY – District Manager, John Zeppos of Advance Auto Parts, presents representatives of United Way of Greater Oswego County with a check in the amount of $1,000 during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Advance Auto Parts store, 3840 State Route13 in Pulaski. ?We?re proud to be a part of the Pulaski community and on behalf of Advance Auto Parts we are happy to contribute to the United Way in support of its efforts to aid the community of Pulaski,? said Zeppos. In the front row from left are: Commercial Pro, Justin Whalen; Mobile Pro, Ron Flower; District Manager, John Zeppos; Executive Director of United Way of Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler; United Way Resource Development Director, Lois Luber, and Margaret Clerkin of the Pulaski Chamber of Commerce. Back row from left: Mobile Pro, Eric Stock; and Retail Parts Pro, Tony Ketchum. For more information on the new Advance Auto Parts store in Pulaski contact them at 315-298-4388.

December 10th, 2012

Fulton, NY – In accordance with its mission of raising awareness of human needs in Oswego County and supporting solutions to address those needs, United Way of Greater Oswego County is offering a limited number of mini-grant funding opportunities for community organizations in Oswego County that reflect the agency?s mission and its five funding categories; Emergency Services, Health and Special Needs, Supporting Families and Children, Youth Development, and Senior Services.

Melanie Trexler, executive director of United Way of Greater Oswego County explained that the mini-grants are for not-for-profits serving Oswego County. ?Organizations that wish to apply for a mini-grant must submit a brief narrative that includes; a description of the project and proposed activities, its goals, who it will serve and how it will benefit those served. The project must also have clear, measurable goals and a defined beginning and end. Applicants are also encouraged to partner with other community organizations on the project,? said Trexler.

Not-for-Profits wishing to apply for a mini-grant should contact Melanie Trexler at 315-593-1900, or by e-mail at melanieunitedway@windstream.net. All proposals must be submitted no later than January 31, 2013.
Go back to home page for application link to pdf.

November 30th, 2012

Fulton, NY ? The SUNY Oswego Athletic Department will be accepting donations of unwrapped toys and non-perishable food as part of their United Way weekend, December 7th & 8th.

Hockey fans attending the SUNY Oswego Lakers Men?s Ice Hockey game at 7:00 p.m. on December 7th and the SUNY Oswego Lakers Women?s Ice Hockey game at 7:00 p.m. on December 8th are asked to bring a donation of non-perishable food items, and/or unwrapped toys.

According to Melanie Trexler, executive director of United Way of Oswego County, toy donations will be given to the Children?s Fund, while food donations will be shared with local food pantries.

?Local agencies are experiencing a tremendous amount of requests for toys and food baskets this Christmas. We currently have waiting lists for both toys and food baskets and are doing our best to meet those demands. We are thankful for the support we have received from caring community members and appreciate the thoughtfulness of the SUNY Oswego Athletic Department and the Women?s and Men?s Ice Hockey teams for hosting United Way weekend and asking fans to bring donations to the games. I encourage area hockey fans to come out on December 7th and 8th to enjoy some exciting hockey action and help those less fortunate in Oswego County by donating unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items.?

Cut line for photo: Members of the SUNY Oswego Lakers Women?s Ice Hockey team meet with United Way representatives to discuss United Way Weekend. The SUNY Oswego Athletic Department is asking hockey fans attending the SUNY Oswego Lakers Men?s Ice Hockey game at 7:00 p.m. on December 7th and the SUNY Oswego Lakers Women?s Ice Hockey game at 7:00 p.m. on December 8th are asked to bring a donation of non-perishable food items, and/or unwrapped toys. The items will be distributed to the Children?s Christmas Fund and local food pantries for Christmas food baskets. Seated from left are; Tori Trovato, Jocelyn St. Claire, and Erin Ganley of the SUNY Oswego Lakers Women?s Ice Hockey team. Standing from left are; Melanie Trexler, executive director, United Way of Greater Oswego County; SUNY Oswego Lakers Women?s Ice Hockey Head Coach, Diane Dillon; United Way Board Member, Kathy Fenlon, executive director of the Oswego City / County Youth Bureau; and SUNY Oswego Lakers Women?s Ice Hockey Assistant Coach, Chelsea Walkland.

November 30th, 2012

Fulton, NY – With Christmas just days away, area human service agencies are making their list and checking it twice. The economic challenges that many families and individuals in Oswego County are facing has resulted a record amount of requests from families in need this holiday season. In an effort to meet these requests several agencies have partnered with the United Way of Greater Oswego in an attempt to form an Oswego County Christmas Bureau, and while they have received numerous donations of toys and food there are many more Christmas wishes to fill.

?Our partners have done an excellent job gathering donations and the response that we have received from the community has been encouraging,? said Melanie Trexler, executive director, United Way of Greater Oswego County. ?The Department of Social Services is once again doing a remarkable job with the Children?s Fund, and the efforts of our partners, including Catholic Charities of Oswego County, and Toys for Tots are helping to expand the success of the Children?s Fund. To date we have enough toys for 1,600 children and 500 food baskets, however we are in need for additional donations as we have 400 children on the Christmas toy waiting list and many more families in need of food baskets.?

Trexler added that those wishing to donate unwrapped toys, non-perishable food items, or money for food baskets, should contact Helen Hoefer at 315-598-3980 or drop them off at Catholic Charities of Oswego County, 301 Beech Street in Fulton. Monetary donations for the Children?s Fund Christmas toy drive may be sent to the United Way, attention Doreen Clark, 1 South First Street, Fulton, NY, 13069. Additionally, those who would like to Adopt-a-Family for Christmas may do so by contacting Deanne Myers of Oswego County DSS at 315-963-5246.

?Sharing our good fortune with those in need reflects the true spirit of the season. I?m confident that the generosity of our community will shine this Christmas and we will be able to meet the requests on our wish list,? added Trexler.

November 26th, 2012

Fulton, NY ? Lois Luber, resource development director for United Way of Greater Oswego County accepts a box of food from Ben Turner of Murdock?s Bicycles and Sports in Oswego. Murdock, who had collected 6 boxes of food to date, started collecting food at his store in support of United Way?s annual Stone Soup luncheon and is continuing to do so until Christmas. The food will be delivered to local food pantries including Salvation Army of Oswego County, Human Concerns Center and Catholic Charities. Murdock?s Bicycles and Sports is located at 177 West First Street in Oswego. For more information contact Murdock?s at 315-342-6848.

November 19th, 2012

I extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who lent their support to the United Way?s Annual Stone Soup Luncheon. The event was an excellent reflection of the theme of this year?s United Way campaign, ?It?s our community and it?s personal. ?

I also offer a gracious thank to our many community volunteers who helped make the luncheon possible; Kathy Fenlon, Kathy Cummins, Mary Kay Donovan, Roxanna Gillen, Joleen DiBartolo, SUNY Womens? Hockey Coach Diane Dillon, Assistant Coach Chelsea Walkland, and players, Tori Trovato, Jocelyn St. Claire, and Erin Ganley, Becky O?Kane, Deb Deeb, Ali McGrath, Bernadette Costello, Jackie Thorpe, Dan Hoefer, and of course St. Joseph?s Parish for hosting our luncheon. Additionally, I wish to recognize Lori Parsons, Key Bank and Holy Trinity Parish for their contributions to the luncheon. Their desire to support our local food pantries is a wonderful expression of dedication to their community, their concern for others and their willingness demonstrates that when it comes to supporting United Way, it?s our community and it is personal.

Our Stone Soup Luncheon raised more than $1,100 and collected dozens of boxes of non-perishable foods our local food pantries.

Thank you for being a part of our 7th Annual Stone Soup Luncheon. It was great to see the smiles on familiar faces and first timers as they brought in their food donations. This event shows the caring nature of our community at its best!

Sincerely,
Lois Luber
Resource Development Director
United Way of Greater Oswego County

November 19th, 2012

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, rolls and desserts at the United Way?s ?Stone Soup? Luncheon. The United Way?s Annual Stone Soup Luncheon creates an awareness of hunger in the community and offers a way for the community to come together to share a meal and contribute to local food pantries.

?Our Stone Soup Holiday Luncheon was very successful, as we raised more than $1100 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, Ruby Tuesday, Vona?s Restaurant, Oswego Country Club, C?s Farms, Davis Bros., Bosco & Geers, Dunkin? Donuts, Paul?s Big M, Giovanni Foods, Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, and Cakes Galore,? said Lois Luber, Resource Development Director for the United Way of Greater Oswego County.

?The desire of our committee members, Chairperson, Aaron Thorpe, Shawn Seale, Helen Hoefer, Marion Ciciarelli; our many volunteers who helped prepare, serve and clean-up after the event, and St. Joseph?s Church for hosting the event in their Parish Center, is a excellent example of the importance of supporting United Way because it is our community and it is personal,? added Luber.

All proceeds from the event, along with the food donations and generous donation of $500 from the Oswego Lions Club, will be donated to local food pantries including Salvation Army of Oswego County, Human Concerns Center and Catholic Charities.

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: Director of Human Concerns, Deb Deeb; Community Volunteer, Roxanne Gillen; Joleen DiBartolo, of Pathfinder Bank; Shawn Seale of Key Bank; and Kathy Fenlon, Director of the Oswego City/County Youth Bureau.

November 1st, 2012

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 ring 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 Community Bank building, 1 South First Street in Fulton, and during United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon being held Thursday, November 15th 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 7th Annual Campaign. Tickets are available at the United Way office in the Community Bank building, 1 South First Street in Fulton, during United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon being held Thursday, November 15th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Joseph?s Parish Center, West First Street in Oswego, 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 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Above with the ring are from left: Greg DuFore ,Resource Development Director for the United Way, Lois Luber; and Tom DuFore.

October 29th, 2012

Oswego, NY ? Committee Members for the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s 7th Annual Stone Soup Luncheon welcome C?s Farms and Canale?s Restaurant as food sponsors for the luncheon. C?s Farms, who is providing the salad fixings and Canale?s Restaurant, which is providing one of the many soups, have supported the United Way Stone Soup Luncheon since its inception. This year?s Stone Soup Luncheon will be held Thursday, November 15th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in St. Joseph?s Parish Center, West First Street in Oswego. The United Way will be accepting a donation of $5.00 per person and those attending are urged to bring a donation of non-perishable food items. All proceeds from the event, as well as the food that is collected, will be donated to local food pantries. Above from left are: Joe Farella of C?s Farms; Stone Soup Committee Member, Helen Hoefer, Supervisor of Community Services at Catholic Charities of Oswego County; Nick Canale Jr. of Canale?s Restaurant; and Resource Development Director for the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Lois Luber. Absent from the photo are the owners of C?s Farms, Maria and Dave Johnson.