October 31st, 2013

Oswego, 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 Tuesday, November 12 the United Way of Greater Oswego County will hold it?s 8th Annual Stone Soup Luncheon at St. Joseph?s Parish Center, West First Street in Oswego.

Drawing upon the agency?s theme of ?It?s Our Community?and It?s Personal? 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. Held annually the United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon helps to support food pantries throughout Oswego County. Local pantries are finding it difficult to keep their shelves filled and are bracing for a holiday season that will prove to be especially challenging as they struggle to meet the increased demand for food subsidy in Oswego County.

According to Lois Luber, resource development director for United Way of Greater Oswego County, this year?s Stone Soup Luncheon is once again receiving strong support. ?We are fortunate to have such generous, community minded sponsors,? said Luber. ?Since the inception of our Stone Soup Luncheon, Canale?s Restaurant and Vona?s Restaurants have provided their signature soups; Bosco and Geers, fresh baked rolls; and Cake?s Galore, a custom designed cake for dessert. Additionally, C?s Farms and Davis Bros. have provided fresh tossed salad and dressing for all of our ingredients for all Stone Soup events.?

The menu for this year?s Stone Soup Luncheon will also include: soups from Oswego Country Club, GS Steamers, Bridie Manor, and Ruby Tuesday; coffee courtesy of Dunkin? Donuts; water from Paul?s Big M; cookies from NY PENN Pathways Girls Scouts and the American Foundry. Additionally, Giovanni?s Foods has donated 6 cases of spaghetti sauce to support the food drive.

?The Mantra for United Way?s Annual Campaign is: It?s Our Community and it?s Personal! It?s one that our sponsors and our host for our Stone Soup Luncheon clearly believe in,? added Luber.

Open to the public, the United Way Stone Soup Luncheon will be held Tuesday, November 12th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at St. Joseph?s Parish Center, West First Street in Oswego. 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 including Human Concerns Center, Catholic Charities of Oswego County, and Salvation Army of Oswego County.

Those unable to attend the luncheon but would like to donate food items may contact Helen Hoefer, supervisor of Catholic Charities of Oswego County?s Emergency Services program at 315-598-3980 for information on where to drop off non-perishable food donations throughout Oswego County.

Cut line for photo: Committee members and sponsors for the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s 8th Annual Stone Soup Luncheon meet finalize plans for this year?s event. Scheduled for Thursday, Tuesday, November 12th 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. From left are: committee members Shawn Seale, of Key Bank; Committee Chair, Aaron Thorpe of Vanguard Title and Research; and Marion Ciciarelli of Oswego Health; and luncheon sponsors Nick Canale of Canale?s Restaurant and Chris Carpenter of the Oswego Country Club, and Lois Luber, resource development director for the United Way.

October 25th, 2013

Oswego, NY ? Representatives from a number of Oswego County?s human services agencies will host an Oswego County Youth Program Forum on Friday, November 15th at the SUNY Oswego Phoenix Extension Site. Sign-in begins at 8:30 a.m. with the program starting promptly at 9:00 a.m. Open to anyone interested in learning about the many services and programs that are available to youth in Oswego County, the Youth Program Forum will provide youth service providers with an opportunity to share information on their programs while learning about other youth programs that exist in Oswego County. ?The Youth Forum is an excellent example of our human services agencies working together to help achieve a common good?helping our youth and their families. This kind of collaboration truly demonstrates the Live United concept that we are all connected,? said Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler. Interim Director of the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau, Brian Chetney, co-chairperson of the event?s planning committee, explained that the format of the forum would allow for participants to select from a series of workshops where agency representatives will present a synopsis of their program. The different workshops will touch on a number of the youth services that are available. Additionally, there will be an information area where attendees may learn more about many of the other youth services offered in Oswego County.

?The Oswego County Youth Program Forum is an excellent opportunity for youth agencies to come together and discuss the different services they offer to youth and families in Oswego County. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to network and ask questions,? added Chetney. For more information on the Oswego County Youth Program Forum you may contact Melanie Trexler at the United Way of Greater Oswego County 593-1900 ext.201 or at melanieunitedway@windstream.net.

Cut line for photo: Members of the planning committee for Oswego County Youth Program Forum meet to finalize details for the event. Scheduled for Friday, November 15th, the informative program will highlight the many services and programs that are available to youth in Oswego County. From left are: Heather Tebidor, Employment Specialist Oswego County Workforce NY; Jennifer Losurdo, Oswego City County Youth Bureau; Brian Chetney, interim director, Oswego City County Youth Bureau; Melanie Trexler, executive director, United Way of Oswego County; Karen Meyer, Senior Caseworker, Os. Co. Department of Social Services Youth Service Unit; and Gail Cooper, supervisor, Catholic Charities Children’s Mental Health Services.

Absent from the photo are committee members, Linda Brosch, Cornell Cooperative Extension; Gloria Weeks, Oswego County Opportunities; Christine Weaver, Workforce Development; and Kelly Otis, Oswego County.

October 22nd, 2013

Fulton, NY ? Walter Dengos, National Grid CNY Community & Customer Manager, presents Kathy Fenlon, president of the United Way board of directors, with a check for $5,000, representing National Grid?s corporate support for the agency?s Annual Campaign. “National Grid is proud to support the United Way of Greater Oswego County,” said Walter Dengos, “This year we are asking employees to contribute 10% more than previous years. The more we can give, the greater the benefits and the greater the impact to the lives of friends, neighbors, customers, and local communities. National Grid promotes programs where we each can make a difference. It is our community and we do take it personal.? Also pictured are United Way board members Melissa Miller (l) of Pathfinder Bank; and Wendy Tetro of Fulton Savings Bank.

October 14th, 2013

Oswego, NY – One the United Way?s most generous supporters, Novelis, officially kicked off their in-house employee campaign with an informational and inspiring meeting where they announced their goal for the United Way?s 2013 ? 2014 Annual Campaign.

Novelis campaign coordinator, Dick Delaney addressed those present, including; employee campaign committee members, team leaders, and Novelis plant officials, and congratulated his co-workers for their generous support of previous campaigns.

?In 2008, despite a very challenging economy, Novelis employees set a record with a total contribution of $86,000. Since that time we have exceeded our goal every year and set a new record with $88,000 in employee donations. I am confident that this year we will once again exceed our goal,? said Delaney.

United Way Resource Development Director, Lois Luber, echoed that praise and spoke of the many ways in which employee donations impact the lives of those served by United Way agencies.

?Your donations touch the lives of countless families throughout Oswego County. From seniors receiving hot meals and enjoying each other?s company at OCO?s Dining and Activity Centers, to providing homes with wheelchair accessible ramps, and after school youth programs offered in the safe environment of Catholic Charities? CYO, these programs are made possible by the generous donations we receive through employee campaigns like yours,? said Luber.

Following a moving video that highlighted the tremendous impact of United Way supported agency programs, Delaney asked how many of those in attendance ever personally, or know someone who has benefited from a United Way supported agency. Surprisingly a number of hands were raised as Novelis employees shared their stories. One spoke of his autistic daughter and how support she received services through ARC?s Early Intervention Program. Another spoke of his grandparent?s experiences.

?After my grandmother passed away my grandfathers? health was declining and he needed help cooking. Fortunately he was able to have meals delivered to him through the Meals on Wheels program. He also was able to receive rides to his doctor?s appointments when he could no longer drive. The people we dealt with regarding these programs were the nicest people you?d ever meet. I have supported the United Way since I became employed here and I will always support United Way because of what they did for my grandfather,? said another employee.

Delaney added that the campaign team at Novelis is looking forward to this year?s campaign. ?What helps to make our campaigns successful is that we approach it as team. We develop and communicate a vision for achieving our goal for the United Way Campaign. We are constantly updating our progress and make adjustments as need to make sure we meet or exceeded our goal. It?s important for us to support United Way because the agency helps and supports so many organizations that provide services for those in need in our community. Novelis employees recognize the many benefits of being socially responsible to our community and our efforts are encouraged and supported by Novelis corporate. We feel that United Way is the best agency to handle our support for our community and we are proud to be able to United Way reach its goal and continue its mission in Oswego County. We are well aware that it is our community and we do take it personal,? said Delaney.

For more information on the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Campaign visit their website at oswegounitedway.org.

Cut line for photo: Team leaders for Novelis? Annual Employee Campaign recently welcomed Lois Luber, resource development director for United Way to discuss the important work that United Way does in Oswego County and their strategy for this year?s employee campaign. Seated from left are: Novelis Campaign Coordinator, Dick Delaney, Tom Lilienthal, Dave Nuener, Erin Nalle, Ernie Tresidder, Larry Ogorchock, Kim Losurdo. Standing from left are: Novelis Oswego Works Plant Manager, Chris Smith, Pet Sheftic, Dennis Brady, Graig Lewis, John Dorshack, Leo Burns, Sam Patane, Steve Adams, and Jen Sater.

October 14th, 2013

Oswego, NY ? Thanks to the generous support of the Vega Honor Society and Professor Laura Brown the United Way of Greater Oswego County received close to $500 for the “Community Fund”. It was a sunny day and students arrived early for the 5K race which winds it’s away through the campus.

Kathleen Fenlon, United Way Board President spoke to students before the start of the walk, thanking them for taking part and supporting the community. Registrants received a T-shirt and water and snacks. A drawing was held and 10 lucky winners recieved $20 gift certificates from the college bookstore. A total of $480 was raised for the “Community Fund” which supports 34 human service programs in Oswego County.

October 2nd, 2013

Oswego, N.Y. (Story provided by PRSSA) ? SUNY Oswego is proud to be hosting its 22nd annual United Way Walk-A-Thon. Each year it is sponsored by Auxiliary Services and is now coordinated by VEGA, a women?s honor society. All proceeds of the walk will go to United Way of Greater Oswego County and will ultimately benefit various programs within the community.

?United Way of Greater Oswego County applauds SUNY Oswego students and staff in their volunteer efforts to support the community. Their commitment to the walk-a-thon event has helped to raise awareness of local human needs and the programs that address them,? Lois Luber, resource development director at United Way of Greater Oswego County said.

The 5K walk will take place Saturday, October 12, 2013. The $5 registration fee for the walk will be a direct donation to the United Way. Registration will take place right before the walk at noon in front of Lanigan Hall. There are no pre-registrations. The first 150 participants to register will receive a free T-shirt.

The walk will circle campus, passing Sheldon Hall during its 100th anniversary year, and the newly opened Richard S. Shineman Center for Science, Engineering & Innovation. At the end of the race there will be a drawing for prizes. Supporters who are unable to participate, but wish to contribute, can do so by making a donation online at oswegounitedway.org.

United Way of Greater Oswego County raises funds from the community each year for specific programs that help thousands of people right here in Oswego County. United Way of Greater Oswego County is part of a national network of 1,300 United Ways. United Way of Greater Oswego County is located on South First Street in Oswego. Additional information is available at OswegoUnitedWay.org.