May 29th, 2012

Fulton, NY ? Staff and friends of the Oswego County Department of Social Services (DSS) gathered to show their support for one of Oswego County?s most vital agencies, United Way, as they participated in the Second Annual DSS Hospitality Gathering & United Way Bowling Fundraiser. Held recently at Lakeview Lanes in Fulton, the DSS employee bowl-a-thon raised more than $500 in support of United Way. ?It was a great way to raise money for United Way, said John Ferry of DSS. ?Our planning committee members Jill Wood, Brooke McLymond, Jenn Delmar, Mandi Tice, Ted Bomgren, and Denise Bowering did great job putting this event together. Nine teams participated and everyone had a good time. To make it even more enjoyable we awarded prizes for best team spirit and most money raised.? Ferry added that DSS recognizes the positive impact that United Way has in Oswego County. ?Many of our partner agencies receive funding through United Way and in these times of ever shrinking resources, we know that many of these agencies rely on United Way to help fund critical programs that many county residents rely on. We understand the need for these programs and see first hand the benefits of supporting the United Way. I would also like to recognize In Vogue Salon, Pizza Villa, Monroe Muffler, Justin Jaskula, Licensed Massage Therapist, Running with Scissors Hair & Nail Salon, Bev’s Dairy Treat, and Sandi Beshures, Mary Kay Consultant for donating prizes for the event,? said Ferry. Working through 23 local partner agencies, United Way of Greater Oswego County supports 35 programs in five areas of service: emergency services, children and family services, health and special needs, senior services, and youth development. For more information on your United Way, contact their office at 315-593-1900. Cut line for Unfounded Fear Photo: Staff and friends of the Oswego County Department of Social Services (DSS) gathered to show their support for one of Oswego County?s most vital agencies, United Way, as they participated in the Second Annual DSS Hospitality Gathering & United Way Bowling Fundraiser. Held at Lakeview Lanes in Fulton, the event raised more than $500 in support of United Way of Greater Oswego County. Above are members of the Unfounded Fear team, which was recognized for raising the most money. Brooke McLymond, Heather Myers, Jenn Delmar, Mandi Tice, Stephanie Tassone, and Jeremy Tassone.

May 29th, 2012

FULTON, NY ? Cut line for Bipolar Rollers Photo: Team Spirit Award. The Bipolar Rollers were recognized for Best Team Spirit during the Second Annual DSS Hospitality Gathering & United Way Bowling Fundraiser. Staff and friends of the Oswego County Department of Social Services (DSS) participated in the event that raised more than $500 for United Way of Greater Oswego County. Above are team members, Steph Hoxie, Alexa DiFabio, Chris Fletcher, Susie Miller and Beth Salisbury.

May 25th, 2012

Fulton, NY – Resource Development Director for the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Lois Luber has announced that a number of area businesses have signed on as sponsors for the United Way?s 17th Annual Golf Classic. ?I am happy to welcome National Grid, Novelis, Oswego County Federal Credit Union, Entergy, CENG, and Burritt Chevrolet as major sponsors for this year?s Golf Classic,? said Luber. Scheduled for Monday, July 16th this year?s United Way Golf Classic will be held at the Oswego Country Club, one of the premier golf tournaments in Oswego County. The event offers businesses and community members the opportunity to enjoy a fun day of golf and while helping to support their local United Way. Luber said that the event will once again feature everything golfers have come to expect from the United Way Golf Classic including; a continental breakfast courtesy of Dave Mirabito / Met Life, and Stewart?s Shops, a classic golf shirt, golf cart, 18 holes of golf, lunch courtesy of Canale?s Restaurant, beverages courtesy of Eagle Beverage, and a steak dinner following the tournament, said Luber. There will also be plenty of raffles, a silent auction, a putting contest, skins competition, prizes for longest drive and closest to the pin, and much more. ?We are pleased to have one Central New York?s finest private courses host this year?s tournament. We have received positive feedback and much needed support from several businesses and organizations. There are still a limited number of sponsorship opportunities available at levels up to $3,000 for those interested in being a part of the United Way Golf Classic, including $100 hole sponsorships that offer an affordable option for small businesses. We are also accepting items for the silent auction, takes place immediately following the tournament, for businesses who would like to lend their support at that level,? added Luber. For more information on the 2012 United Way Golf Classic, or to help sponsor the event, visit the agency?s website at oswegounitedway.org or contact Lois Luber at your United Way office, 315-593-1900, ext. 202. Cut line for photo: United Way Golf Committee Member John Nelson of Nelson Funeral Home meets with major sponsors for the United Way of Oswego County?s 17th Annual Golf Classic. To be held, Monday, July 16th at the Oswego Country Club, United Way Golf Classic provides businesses and individuals with the opportunity to enjoy a fun day of golf and while helping to support their United Way. From left are: John Nelson, Cheryl Ascenzi of Novelis; Wally Dengos of National Grid; Colleen Caramella of Entergy; Rich Burritt of Burritt Motors; and Jill Lyon of CENG. Absent from the photo is Bill Carhart of the Oswego County Federal Credit Union. For more information, or to help sponsor the event, contact Lois Luber at your United Way office, 315-598-1900, ext. 202.

May 24th, 2012

Fulton, NY ? One of the area?s most anticipated and largest golf tournaments, the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Golf Classic will be held Monday, July 16th at one of Central New York?s finest private golf courses, the Oswego County Club. Now in its 17th year, the United Way Golf Classic provides community members with an opportunity to enjoy a fun day of golf while supporting their local United Way. According to United Way Resource Development Director, Lois Luber the new location has created a new level of excitement for the tournament. ?We have received a tremendously positive response regarding the new location for our golf classic. We have already registered several teams and have welcomed a number of area businesses and organizations as sponsors,? said Luber. According to Planning Committee Chairperson, Dave Lloyd of Novelis, the committee has worked diligently to make this year?s United Way Annual Golf Classic the best ever. “We are excited about our new location and are happy to have the Oswego Country Club hosting the United Way Golf Classic. The dedicated members of this year?s golf committee have planned a wide range of activities to ensure that everyone from the scratch golfer to the golfer who scratches their head has a great time. The United Way Golf classic is an excellent opportunity for people to gather and support the United Way while enjoying a round of golf on a fine private course.” Luber added that there are still a limited number of sponsorship opportunities at levels up to $3,000 for those interested in being a part of the United Way Golf Classic, including $100 hole sponsorships that offer an affordable option for small businesses. United Way is also accepting items for the silent auction, takes place immediately following the tournament, for businesses that would like to lend their support at that level. For more information on the 2012 United Way Golf Classic, or becoming a sponsor for the event, contact Lois Luber at your United Way office, 315-593-1900 x202, or via e-mail at loisunitedway@windstream.net. Cut line for photo: Dave Lloyd of Novelis, chairperson for the 17th Annual United Way Golf Classic meets with committee members to discuss details of the event. Scheduled for Monday, July 16th, the tournament will be held this year at the Oswego Country Club. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for businesses and organizations wishing to be involved with the event. Seated from left are: United Way Board Member, Connie Smith; Mary Ann Schreck of AXA Financial; and Nancy Concadoro of Oswego Health. Absent from the photo are committee members, Perry Noun, of WVOA 103.9FM; Jeff Grimshaw of SUNY Oswego; Bill Crist, Superintendent, Oswego City School District; John Nelson of Nelson Funeral Home; and Bernadette Costello of Pathfinder Bank. For more information, contact Lois Luber at your United Way office, 315-593-1900 x202, or via e-mail at loisunitedway@windstream.net.

May 21st, 2012

Fulton, NY ? Over the past 5 years United Way of Greater Oswego County has given away hundreds of children?s books at the Fulton Memorial Day Parade. Thanks to the support of Oswego Cub Scout Pack 888 the agency will be able to continue the tradition. Over the past several months, members of Oswego Cub Scout Pack 888 have been busy collecting children?s books for United Way of Greater Oswego County. Their efforts paid off as they recently presented United Way with approximately 1,500 books. That United Way will distribute to children during Fulton?s Annual Memorial Day Parade.

?We have been fortunate that Cub Scout Pack 888 as well as Dr. Laura Brown?s students at SUNY Oswego that collected books as part of the service learning component of her courses, and Granby Walmart, have been very good to us by hosting book drives and collecting children?s books for us,? said Melanie Trexler, executive director of United Way of Greater Oswego County. ?Additionally, Chirello Advertising and Cornell Cooperative Extension have supplied us with bookmarks and Burritt Chevrolet will be providing transportation for us during the parade.?

Trexler added that United Way is proud to once again be part of the Fulton Memorial Day Parade and helping to raise awareness of the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County.

?It?s heartwarming to see the looks on the children?s faces when they receive the books. It is a great opportunity for us to promote literacy as we provide parents with books they can read to their children and children with books they can read themselves. Strong literacy skills such as reading, writing, and the ability to communicate effectively are the building blocks for success. By promoting early childhood development we are helping children develop essential literacy skills,? added Trexler.

A coalition of more than 36 local organizations, the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County is dedicated to supporting and expanding literacy services in Oswego County by working together to address the literacy needs of people of all ages.

?Our presence in the Memorial Day Parade is just one example of how United Way supports the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County and is working collaboratively with Chairperson, Jon Spaulding, publisher of the Palladium-Time and Jennifer Cook, chief of staff for Assemblyman Will Barclay to raise awareness of the Literacy Coalition and the work that they do to improve literacy in Oswego County.

Community members wishing to donate books may do so by dropping them off at the United Way office, 1 South First Street in Fulton. Arrangements for pick-up can be made for donations of large quantities of books. For more information on the United Way book drive contact your United Way office at 315-593-1900.

Cut line for photo: Local Cub Scout Pack Collects Books. Cub Scouts of Oswego Cub Scout Pack 888 present Melanie Trexler, executive director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County (seated front left) with approximately 1,500 children books that they have collected over the past several months. The books will be distributed to children during the Memorial Day Parade in Fulton on Saturday, May 26th. In existence since 1990, Cub Scout Pack 888 meets at Charles E. Riley Elementary School on Tuesday nights. The Pack does many community service projects throughout the year such as ringing of the bell for the Salvation Army and collecting can goods for Human Concerns. For more information on the book distribution, or to donate new and gently used children?s books, contact your United Way office at 315-593-1900.

May 10th, 2012

Fulton, NY ? Port Authority Buoys United Way. Representatives from the Board of Directors for the Port of Oswego Authority express their concern for their community by presenting United Way of Greater Oswego County with a check in support of the agency?s Annual Campaign. Working through 23 local partner agencies, United Way supports 34 human services programs throughout Oswego County. Above from left are: Oswego Mayor, Tom Gillen; Al Archer, Mike Shanley, legal counsel; John Kares Smith, Terry Hammill, Melanie Trexler, executive director, United Way of Greater Oswego County; Jonathan Daniels, executive director, Port of Oswego Authority; Gerald Brown, Dave Schermerhorn and Tom Schneider.

May 10th, 2012

Fulton, NY – Organizations looking for new ways to find volunteers are welcome to attend a free seminar on VolunteerCNY.org. A United Way initiative, the www.VolunteerCNY.org website serves as a hub for volunteer activity and promotes volunteerism in Oswego County as well as Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, and Madison Counties.

Hosted by the United Way of Greater Oswego County, the seminar will be held Wednesday, May 23rd from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the community room of the Oswego County Federal Credit Union at 5828 Scenic Ave. in Mexico, the seminar will demonstrate how to use the www.VolunteerCNY.org site to list volunteer opportunities and recruit volunteers.

According to UWCNY Coordinator, Justin Lynch, who will facilitate the seminar, VolunteerCNY.org offers resources that help organizations recruit, manage, support and retain individuals to serve in high quality volunteer assignments. Objectives of the initiative include:

Developing and expanding a sustainable network of national and community service agencies that will provide services and resources to communities throughout New York State.

Engaging one million New Yorkers in active service in order to increase New York’s volunteer rate and help address our State?s most pressing needs.

Delivering volunteer management training that will strengthen the capacity of non-profit agencies statewide and strategically engage national service programs and volunteer resources as a solution to critical local problems.

Increase the overall impact of skill-based volunteers to meet community needs.

?We are happy to be able to offer this seminar,? said Melanie Trexler, executive director of United Way of Greater Oswego County. ?Our Resource Development Director, Lois Luber has been instrumental in working with Justin and VolunteerCNY.org to make it possible for us to host this event. VolunteerCNY.org is an invaluable resource for agencies in need of quality volunteers. We encourage non-profits to attend this free seminar and discover how VolunteerCNY.org can benefit their organization.?

For more information, or to register to attend the seminar, contact your United Way office at 315-593-1900 or via e-mail at loisunitedway@windstream.net.