February 21st, 2014

Fulton, NY ? Melanie Trexler, Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County has announced that the NBT Bank will serve as the official sponsor for the United Way?s Annual Meeting and Salute to Volunteers. Scheduled for Wednesday, March 12th at 8:00 a.m. the event will be held at the American Foundry, Route 104 West (behind Fajita Grill) in Oswego.

?I am pleased to announce that once again NBT Bank will be the sponsor for the Annual Meeting. Their commitment to United Way and our community is unwavering and I am proud to count them among our supporters,? said Trexler.

Barbara Bateman, Senior Vice President and Oswego Market Executive at NBT Bank, said, ?NBT Bank is dedicated to supporting the United Way of Greater Oswego County. Our staff is committed to the works of the United Way and the agencies that it supports. By providing sponsorship to the annual meeting we are able to supply the community with an avenue necessary to fulfill the mission of the United Way and to promote additional philanthropic opportunity throughout. By assisting the United Way we are able to provide support to so many different agencies, therefore allowing our charitable dollars to reach the places that need assistance. Giving back to the communities that support you is one of the most important commitments a business can make. We take our role in this seriously and will continue to promote and to support our communities,? said Bateman.

The focus of United Way?s Annual Meeting will be the recognition of the United Way?s highly valued volunteers who exemplify the notion that it is our community and it is personal. ?Our volunteers do more than demonstrate their love of community by assisting us at United Way, many share their time, talents, and treasure with other organizations and do more than their part to make our communities a better place to live,? said Trexler.

The United Way?s annual meeting is open to the public. The cost to attend the event is $15.00 per person and includes a complete breakfast. For more information on the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Meeting, or to make reservations, contact your United Way office, 315-593-1900 or via e-mail at: loisunitedway@windstream.net, no later than Friday, March 7th.

Cut line for photo: Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler (r) and United Way Board President, Kathy Fenlon (l), meet with Barbara Bateman (c), vice president at NBT Bank to discuss the United Way?s upcoming Annual Meeting to be held from 8:00 ? 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12th, at the American Foundry, Route 104 West (behind Fajita Grill) in Oswego. NBT Bank is the official sponsor of the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Meeting.

February 19th, 2014

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 offered 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.

In November 2013, 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.

13 grants were submitted and reviewed by the United Way Executive Committee on December 12, 2013. The total allocated for 7 Mini-grants was $5,000.
Grant totals and non-profit projects:
Aurora of CNY $640.00 for the Oswego County Visually Impaired, a transportation fund to assist members to attend monthly social/networking outings for the purpose of peer support and socialization.
Children’s Museum $675.00 for the Power of Produce, to launch a POP club to provide interactive and educational activities to promote healthy eating and lifestyles for our community youth.
Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways $950.00 for College Life 101, a program that exposes at risk teen girls in Oswego County to a collegiate environment and provides beneficial experience and advice from academic staff and students.
Integrative Community Planning of Os. Co. $1000.00, Tobacco Free Baby and Me, a program specific to women who are pregnant or parenting young children, providing diaper incentives for participants with negative nicotine testing.
Move Along, Inc. $1000.00 for Inclusive Sports Training, to raise the general awareness to similarity/inclusive sports options for both disabled and able bodied participants in Os. Co.
Oswego Industries $385.00 for Put Your Best Foot Forward, to develop an empowering strategy that focuses on the health and wellness for intellectual and developmental disabled individuals living in Os. Co. (pedometers)
Oswego County Search and Rescue Team $350.00 for Project Lifesaver, bracelet for one potentially vulnerable adult who is at risk of wandering due to dementia. Clients are identified through the Office of Aging and The Alzheimer’s Support Group.

February 14th, 2014

Oswego, NY ? In keeping with their tradition of giving back to the community, Board Chairperson of the BPO Elks Lodge #271 Carol Dillabough, Board Chair presented, Lois Luber, resource development director with United Way of Oswego County with a $5,000 donation on behalf of the club?s members in support of United Way?s Annual Campaign. ?We are thankful that the members of Oswego Elks Lodge recognize 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 Luber.

February 13th, 2014

Fulton, NY ? When it comes to appreciating the importance of volunteering, no one understands it better than the United Way of Greater Oswego County. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the United Way and play a major role in success of many of the United Way?s initiatives and its annual campaign.

On Wednesday, March 12th, as part of the United Way of Greater Oswego County Annual Meeting, the United Way will pay tribute to its many volunteers. ?We truly value our volunteers. Without them we would not have been able to maintain the many partnerships and collaborations that we have established over the years. Whether it is serving as a Campaign Coordinator for our Annual Campaign, helping out at our Stone Soup Luncheons and Harborfest Breakfasts, or serving on our Community Investment Committee, the time and effort that we receive from our volunteers is essential in allowing us to continue our mission of building a stronger, healthier community. We are proud of our volunteers and I look forward to honoring them at our annual meeting,? said, Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Melanie Trexler.

Sponsored by NBT Bank, the United Way?s Annual Meeting and Salute to Volunteers will be held Wednesday, March 12th at 8:00 a.m. at the American Foundry, Route 104 West (behind Fajita Grill) in Oswego. In addition to honoring the United Way volunteers, Trexler stated that the program for the United Way?s Annual Meeting will also recognize the exceptional individuals and businesses whose efforts help support the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Campaign and the work of the United Way?s member agencies.

Awards at this year?s Annual Meeting are:
– Company Team of the Year ?
– Outstanding Special Event Award ?
– Community Volunteer Award ?
– Spirit of Community Award ?
Lois Luber, resource development director for United Way, said that United Way Campaign Cabinet members would present the awards at this year’s meeting.

The United Way?s annual meeting is open to the public. The cost to attend the event is $15.00 per person and includes a complete breakfast. For more information on the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Meeting and Salute to Volunteers, or to make reservations, contact your United Way office, 315-593-1900 or via e-mail at: loisunitedway@windstream.net, no later than Friday, March 7th.

Cut line for photo: Melanie Trexler, executive director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, meets with the Chairperson for the United Way?s Campaign Cabinet, Rob Rolfe of Harmony Financial Services, to finalize plans for the United Way?s Annual Meeting and Salute to Volunteers. The event, which is open to the public, will be held Wednesday, March 12th at 8:00 a.m. at the American Foundry, Route 104 West (behind Fajita Grill) in Oswego. For more information or to make reservations, contact your United Way office, 315-593-1900 or via e-mail at: loisunitedway@windstream.net, no later than Friday, March 7th.