October 28th, 2014

SUNY Oswego, NY – Students from SUNY Oswego recently demonstrated their support for United Way of Greater Oswego County through their participation in the annual Walk-a-thon for United Way. More than 150 students and faculty walked through the pouring rain to assist United Way in its mission to end hunger, help youth succeed and improve the overall health and well-being of Oswego County. Organized by Vega, the Women?s Junior/Senior Honor Society, the Walk-a-thon raised $745. Above from left are Faculty Advisor for Vega and Professor and Chair of Human Development and Gerontology Minor Coordinator, Laura Hess Brown, Ph.D., and Walk-a-thon organizers and Vega members Brittni Switser and Annmarie Griffith

October 14th, 2014

Oswego, NY ? In keeping with is mission of ending hunger, helping youth succeed, and improving the overall health and well-being of our communities 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 November 13^th United Way of Greater Oswego County will hold its 9^th Annual Stone Soup Luncheon at St. Joseph?s Parish Center, 240 West First Street in Oswego.

The United Way invites community members to come together to break bread, warm their hearts, gather with friends, and enjoy a delicious lunch.? 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 Ali McGrath, Interim Resource Development Director for United Way of Greater Oswego County, this year?s Stone Soup Luncheon is once again receiving strong support from some of Oswego?s favorite restaurants, eateries, and grocers.

?We are fortunate to have such generous, community minded sponsors.? This year, we are pleased to announce that a new restaurant has joined us for our Stone Soup Luncheon.? The Press Box will add their famous Sausage Vegetable soup to a menu that includes signature soups from long time donors Vona?s Restaurant, and Canale?s Restaurant; Oswego County Country Club and Bridie Manor.?

McGrath added that the luncheon menu also includes fresh baked rolls from Bosco and Geers; tossed salad and dressing from Davis Brothers; coffee courtesy of Dunkin? Donuts, water from Paul?s Big M. cookies from the American Foundry and a custom designed cake compliments of Cake?s Galore.

Open to the public, the United Way Stone Soup Luncheon will be held November 13^th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at St. Joseph?s Parish Center, 240 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. .? ?Giovanni?s Foods has gotten our food collection underway with a donation of several cases of spaghetti sauce and we hope to add much more to that with the donations we receive at our Stone Soup Luncheon,? added McGrath.

All proceeds from the United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon, 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 Tim Archer at 315-598-3980 x 253 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 9^th Annual Stone Soup Luncheon meet to discuss plans for this year?s event.? Scheduled for Thursday November 13^th the luncheon will at held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in St. Joseph?s Parish Center, 240 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 Marion Ciciarelli of Oswego Health; Ali Scanlon with son Dominic Scanlon from the Press Box; Ali McGrath and Lois Luber with the United Way of Greater Oswego County; and Aaron Thorpe of Vanguard Title and Research. Absent from photo are committee members MaryLue Ferguson and Helen Hoefer.

October 14th, 2014

Oswego, NY – One the United Way?s most generous supporters officially kicked off their in-house employee campaign with an informational and inspiring meeting where they announced their goal for the United Way?s 2014 ? 2015 Annual Campaign.

Novelis United Way employee campaign committee members and campaign coordinators Erin Nalle and Gabrielle Izard are excited about this year?s campaign and are looking forward to continuing its run of exceeding the previous year?s contributions.

?Novelis employees feel strongly about the work that United Way and its member agencies does to improve the quality of life in Oswego County,? said Nalle.? ?Many of our co-workers have their own personal stories on how a friend, a loved one, a family member, or perhaps even themselves have benefited from United Way supported programs.?

To signify the kind of impact that United Way has on the community Nalle and Izard invited representatives from a number of Oswego County human services agencies to speak with Novelis employees and to explain what their organization does and the positive results that its programs provide.

In an effort to ensure the success of their campaign Nalle and Izard have planned a number of incentives and activities to engage the employees including a chicken barbecue and a chance to win tickets to the Syracuse vs. Duke game.? ?The chance to win tickets to that intense rivalry game was a big boost to last year?s campaign and anticipate it will be so again this year,? said Izard.

Novelis? chicken barbecue, which is available to the public, will be held November 15 at Lighthouse Lanes, 295 East Albany St. in Oswego from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m.? Dinners are $10.00 each and include BBQ beans, salt potatoes, roll, and dessert.? Pre-orders are available by contacting Erin Nalle at (315) 349-0237 or via e-mail at nalle@novelis.com.

?Novelis has a generous history of supporting the United Way,? added Nalle.? ?We are fortunate to work for a company that gladly gives back to its community.? United Way?s campaign slogan of ?Positive Community Impact?, and its focus on ending hunger, helping youth succeed, and improving the overall health and well-being of our communities aligns nicely with the vision we share at Novelis; building a brighter future by donating our time and sharing our good fortune to ensure a better tomorrow for generations to come.?

Cut line for photo: Supporting United Way.? Coordinators and committee members for the Novelis in-house employee campaign in support of United Way of Greater Oswego County recently met with United Way representatives to discuss the details and activities regarding their campaign.? Seated from left are: Craig Formoza, Dennis Brady, Kevin Shutt, Mark Nice, Craig Lewis, and Greg Dufore.? Standing from left are: United Way Resource Development Director Lois Luber, Warren Smith, Steve Schrecengost, Plant Manager Chris Smith, Interim United Way Resource Development Director Ali McGrath, Larry Ogorchock, Erin Nalle, Gabrielle Izard, and Malcolm Gabrielle

October 2nd, 2014

Fulton, NY – ?The City of Oswego and the Oswego City Fire Department continue to be faithful supporters of United Way. Their in-house campaigns to benefit United Way exemplifies their generosity and concern for those less fortunate not only in the City of Oswego, but throughout our county as well. They understand that their support of United Way is the most effective way for them to have a positive impact on their community. We are proud to count them among our valued partners as we continue our mission of ending hunger, the success of our children and youth, and the overall health and well-being of Oswego County, ? said Trexler.

Interim Resource Development Director for United Way of Greater Oswego County Ali McGrath added that in-house campaigns from businesses and organizations both large and small are always welcome and are the most convenient way for their employees to donate to United Way. ?I?m happy to meet with those interested in developing an in-house campaign for United Way at their convenience. I?m able to provide the materials they need and assist their campaign coordinator with establishing and conducting a successful in-house campaign,? said McGrath.

For more information on United Way or to establish an in-house campaign in support of United Way, contact Ali McGrath at 315-593-1900 or visit oswegounitedway.org.

Cut line for photo: Ali McGrath, interim resource development director for United Way of Greater Oswego County (c) presents representatives from the City of Oswego and Oswego Fire Firefighters? IAFF Local #126 with certificates of recognition for their in-house campaigns in support of United Way of Greater Oswego County. From left are: Department Chief C Group Jon Chawgo, Jennifer Losurdo of the Oswego City / County Youth Bureau, Oswego Mayor Tom Gillen, Ali McGrath, Oswego Fire Department Chief Jeff McCrobie, and firefighters Eric Hitchcock and Andy Rockwood.