12/11/2015

Fulton, NY ??Executive Director of United Way of Greater Oswego County Patrick Dewine meets with Heather Bush (l) and Carol Shannon (r) of Pathfinder Bank to congratulate Pathfinder employees for the success of their in-house campaign for United Way.? Pathfinder Bank?s in-house campaign saw an increase in employee participation and total donations.? Additionally, Pathfinder Bank doubled its corporate support for United Way bringing the total donation to more than $12,000. ??Pathfinder Bank has been a faithful supporter of United Way for many years,? said Dewine.? ?The generosity of employees and the concern that Pathfinder Bank has for its community is commendable.? They help make it possible for us to continue to reach results for our three impact areas of ending hunger, helping children and youth succeed, and increasing the health and well-being of our communities.? We are pleased to have them as a community partner.?

12/9/2015

Fulton, NY – When it comes to building healthier communities it?s imperative that community members and businesses collaborate together to make positive results. Robert and Elizabeth McGrath, owners of The Clubhouse Tavern in Oswego, did just that this past Thanksgiving Eve. They set out to ?help those who help others? by organizing and sponsoring A Night of Drinks and Dancing; a fundraiser to raise awareness of the work the United Way of Greater Oswego County does throughout the community to drive positive results.

Held Thanksgiving Eve and hosted by the American Foundry in Oswego attendees danced to the sounds of Brass Inc., a party band featuring a 7 piece horn section, and enjoyed Hors d?oeuvres courtesy of the American Foundry.? Tickets for the event were available via pre-sale or at the door and guests were asked to bring a donation of non-perishable items.

The McGrath?s idea was to organize and sponsor an event for the United Way of Greater Oswego County that the community would enjoy and would benefit the agency?s Community Fund which helps fund 27 programs throughout Oswego County.

?It couldn?t have come at a better time,? said United Way Resource Development Director Ali McGrath.? ?We had recently been approached by the APW School District which was in need of nonperishable food items for its Backpack Program that provides food to students in need with food for weekends and holidays when they are unable to receive a school lunch.? We thought that Robert and Elizabeth?s idea of A Night of Drinks and Dancing would be a perfect opportunity to help those who help others.?

?It was a great evening,? added McGrath.? ?The food items were donated to the APW School District Backpack Program, and the event raised more than $2,400 in support of United Way.? Everyone enjoyed themselves and even the winner of our 50 / 50 drawing donated back their winnings.? We are thankful for the support we receive from our small businesses and appreciative of the efforts of Robert and Elizabeth McGrath of The Clubhouse Tavern and the American Foundry for making this event possible and the many community members that joined us for a fun night that helped bring awareness to a great cause.?

Cut line for photo: Robert McGrath (r), owner of The Clubhouse Tavern in Oswego presents Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County Patrick Dewine (l) with a check for $2400.? McGrath and his wife Liz planned and organized the recent ?Helping Those Who Help Others? fundraiser at The American Foundry in Oswego.

12/06/2015

Mexico, NY ? There?s nothing quite like the look of a child?s face on Christmas morning as they discover their presents under the tree.? It?s an experience that many remember for a lifetime.

To ensure that that scene plays out in as many Oswego County homes as possible the Oswego County Children?s Fund has begun their annual drive to collect toys for less fortunate children in Oswego County.

Established through collaboration with Catholic Charities of Oswego County, the Department of Social Services, United Way of Oswego County, and Toys for Tots, the Oswego County Children?s Fund provided over 800 families with children?s toys for Christmas 2014.

We are excited to be a part of this collaboration.? The combinations of everyone?s efforts continue to make our Christmas distribution a great success, with more and more families assisted each year.

As it has in the past, Catholic Charities will gladly pick up donations from businesses, organizations, or church groups that would like to make Christmas a little more enjoyable for children in need.? Monetary donations are also being accepted for the purchase of toys.? The toys will be distributed through the Oswego County Children?s Fund, Inc. on December 19 at the SUNY Oswego campus.? Families must be pre-registered to receive toys and will be contacted with a specific date and time when they can choose their toys.

Families in need of food assistance for Christmas should contact Helen Hoefer at Catholic Charities?of Oswego County, 315-598-3980.

For more information on donating toys, non-perishable food items or to make a monetary donation, contact Helen Hoefer at 315-598-3980 or Marcia Birdsell at 315-963-5478.? Monetary donations for toys may be mailed to The Oswego County Children?s Fund, Attn: Pam Austin, P.O. Box 496; Mexico, NY 13114.

12/1/2015

Fulton, NY ? Executive Director Patrick Dewine and the staff and board members of United Way of Greater Oswego County invite you to ?Dine With Us.?? To raise awareness of United Way?s impact area of ending hunger in Oswego County, Bistro 197 on West First Street in downtown Oswego and Fajita Grill, 451 South Second Street in Fulton will host United Way ?Dine With Us? nights.

Friday, December 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Bistro 197 will donate 10% of all proceeds to the United Way Annual Campaign.? Fajita Grill in Fulton will host the second ?Dine With Us? night on Monday, December 14 with 10% of all dine-in and take-out orders being donated to United Way.

Each restaurant will have information and talking points on the tables highlighting the many ways in which United Way positively affects its impact areas of ending hunger, helping youth succeed, and improving the overall health and well-being of Oswego County.

Resource Development Director Ali McGrath and other United Way representatives will also be dining at each event and will be available to answer questions regarding United Way and the many human services programs the agency supports.

For more information on United Way?s ?Dine With Us? nights contact Ali McGrath at 315-593-1900 or visit oswegounitedway.org.

11/30/2015

Fulton, NY ? Executive Director Patrick Dewine and the staff and board members of United Way of Greater Oswego County invite you to ?Dine With Us.?? To raise awareness of United Way?s impact area of ending hunger in Oswego County, Bistro 197 on West First Street in downtown Oswego and Fajita Grill, 451 South Second Street in Fulton will host United Way ?Dine With Us? nights.

Friday, December 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Bistro 197 will donate 10% of all proceeds to the United Way Annual Campaign.? Fajita Grill in Fulton will host the second ?Dine With Us? night on Monday, December 14 with 10% of all dine-in and take-out orders being donated to United Way.

Each restaurant will have information and talking points on the tables highlighting the many ways in which United Way positively affects its impact areas of ending hunger, helping youth succeed, and improving the overall health and well-being of Oswego County.

Resource Development Director Ali McGrath and other United Way representatives will also be dining at each event and will be available to answer questions regarding United Way and the many human services programs the agency supports.

For more information on United Way?s ?Dine With Us? nights contact Ali McGrath at 315-593-1900 or visit oswegounitedway.org.

11/19/2015

Fulton, NY ? Executive Director of United Way of Greater Oswego County Patrick Dewine meets with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Regional President James Reed to discuss how United Way?s Health and Well-Being impact area has on programs such as the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Rural and Migrant Ministry?s Open Hands Health Clinic.? Excellus BlueCross BlueShield recently donated $3,500 to the United Way in support of health and well-being.? The donation will help the Rural and Migrant Ministry continue to offer free visits to its medical clinic.? A long-time supporter of United Way, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is one of the sponsors for United Way?s upcoming Salute our Leaders in Volunteering and Giving Reception.? ?We?re fortunate to count Excellus BlueCross BlueShield among our elite Admiral Society donors.? They help make it possible for us to continue to reach results for our three impact areas of ending hunger, helping children and youth succeed, and increasing the health and well-being of our communities,? said Dewine.

Cutline for photo:? Executive Director of United Way of Greater Oswego County Patrick Dewine (left) and?Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Regional President James Reed (right).

11/10/15

Oswego, NY – With the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Campaign well under way businesses throughout the county are currently conducting their own in-house employee campaigns in support of United Way.? One of United Way?s most generous supporters, Novelis, whose in-house campaign is coordinated by Brian Gigon, is looking to build upon the success of last year?s campaign and surpass its goal for this year.? To achieve that goal Gigon and his campaign team are using creative ideas to engage their co-workers and inspire them to support United Way.

The Novelis in-house campaign team consists of 13 volunteer members, a fact that Gigon says makes for a productive and involved group of individuals that are driven to reach a common goal.? ?We are all in it for the betterment of our community which makes it very easy to collaborate and come up with new ideas to make our campaign successful.? We?re fortunate that the ideas and incentives that we have put forward this year have been well received by our co-workers,? said Gigon.

Some of the most popular incentives have been a drawing for tickets to key Syracuse University basketball games against North Carolina and Pittsburgh; a drawing for a prime parking pass that allows an employee the opportunity to park inside of the plant during the winter rather than enduring a long cold walk; plus a variety of inter-departmental events ranging from drawings to bake sales.

Gigon said that this year they will also be conducting a boot drive similar to what the local fire departments do.? Novelis plant management volunteers will be at each entrance to the plant during both shift changes encouraging employees to help ?fill the boot? for United Way.

Additionally, Novelis hosted guest speakers representing United Way partner agencies.? Guests such as Helen Hoefer and Tim Archer of Catholic Charities addressed Novelis employees and spoke of the positive impact that donations to United Way has on the programs and services offered through Catholic Charities and on the lives of the community members that access them.

?We at Novelis realize that we are fortunate to enjoy good health and have good jobs.? We are also aware that there are many people in our community that are not as fortunate.? Some of these people may be family or friends ours or our co-workers.? I feel that supporting United Way is our way of saying thank you to those organizations that help people when they need it the most.? We at Novelis are proud to do our part in helping United Way have a positive impact in the areas of ending hunger, helping children and youth succeed, and increasing the health and well-being of our communities,? said Gigon.

Cutline for photo: Representatives of Novelis in Oswego meet with representatives from United Way of Greater Oswego County to discuss their workplace campaign in support of the United Way?s Annual Campaign.?? United Way?s Annual Campaign serves as a major fundraiser to help support the many human services programs currently offered through the United Way?s member agencies.? The programs serve thousands of families and individuals throughout Oswego County and have a positive impact in the areas of ending hunger, helping children and youth succeed, and increasing the health and well-being of our communities.?? Clockwise from lower left are Novelis Human Resources Director Malcolm Gabriel; Novelis employee Erin Lennox, United Way Resource Development Director Ali McGrath (standing in stairway); Novelis Plant Manager Chris Smith; Coordinator of Novelis? United Way Employee Campaign Brian Gigon; United Way Executive Director Patrick Dewine; and Novelis employees Kathy Harrington, Eva Drake, Gabrielle Izard, Dave Domicolo, Laura Pohl, and Carol Whipple.? Standing upper left are Helen Hoefer and Tim Archer of Catholic Charities.? Absent from photo are Novelis campaign team members Cindy Finnegan, Desiree Allen, Erin Nalle, Heidi Powers, John Glauser, Karen Cloonan, and Julie Becker.

11/6/2015

Fulton, NY -?Resource Development Director for United Way of Greater Oswego County Ali McGrath welcomes Sean Ohnmacht, owner of Greene?s Ale House as the newest restaurant to take part in the United Way?s 10^th Annual Stone Soup Luncheon.? Greene?s Ale House will spice up the menu with the addition of its Buffalo Wing Chili.? The menu for the Stone Soup Luncheon also includes past favorites from Canale?s Restaurant and The Oswego Country Club; Italian Wedding Soup from Vona?s Restaurant; Chicken Tortellini from The Press Box; and Broccoli & Cheddar from Bridie Manor.

United Way invites community members to join them for the 10^th Anniversary Celebration of its Annual Stone Soup Luncheon beginning at 11:30 am on Thursday, November 12 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 luncheon and all food donations will benefit the food pantries at Human Concerns, Salvation Army, and Catholic Charities of Oswego County as well as the Hannibal food pantry.? For more information, or to make reservations to attend the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Stone Soup Luncheon, contact your United Way office at 315-593-1900 or visit oswegounitedway.org.

11/5/2015

Oswego, NY ? Members of VEGA, SUNY Oswego?s Junior and Senior Women?s Honors Society, recently hosted a Walk-A-Thon in support of the United Way of Greater Oswego County.? The Walk-A-Thon raised more than $600 towards the United Way?s Community Fund.? ?It?s inspiring to see how dedicated the students are to the university and the community they live in.? The members of VEGA and everyone involved with the Walk-A-Thon are to be commended for a job well done!? said Resource Development Director Ali McGrath.

Pictured with the VEGA members are SUNY Student and United Way Intern Kay Duguay (third from left), Ali McGrath (fourth from left), Walk-A-Thon Coordinator and SUNY Oswego Faculty Member Dr. Laura Brown (immediately right of table), and Executive Director of United Way of Greater Oswego County Patrick Dewine.? For information on the United Way of Greater Oswego County visit oswegounitedway.org.

11/3/2015

Fulton, NY ?The United Way of Greater Oswego County invites community members to join them for the 10^th Anniversary Celebration of its Annual Stone Soup Luncheon.? This year?s luncheon will be held at 11:30 am on Thursday, November 12 at St. Joseph?s Parish Center, West First Street in Oswego.

The menu for this year?s Stone Soup Luncheon will include a variety of hearty soups, including past favorites from Canale?s Restaurant and The Oswego Country Club; Italian Wedding Soup from Vona?s Restaurant; Chicken Tortellini from The Press Box; Broccoli & Cheddar from Bridie Manor; and house favorites from the luncheon?s newest soup providers, Greene?s Ale House, and The American Foundry.?? The menu also includes salad from C?s Farms, desserts from Cakes Galore, and more!

There will also be door prizes and other surprises as United Way celebrates the 10^th anniversary of its Stone Soup Luncheon.

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 luncheon and all food donations will benefit the food pantries at Human Concerns, Salvation Army, and Catholic Charities of Oswego County as well as the Hannibal food pantry.

For more information, or to make reservations to attend the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Stone Soup Luncheon, contact your United Way office at 315-593-1900.

Cutline for photo:? Committee members from the United Way?s Annual Stone Soup Luncheon meet at St. Joseph?s?Parish Center?in Oswego to discuss details for this year?s Stone Soup Luncheon.? Pictured above from left are: Shawn Seale of Key Bank, Marion Ciciarelli of Oswego Health, Fr. Greg Kreinheder, Pastor of St. Joseph and St. Stephen?s Churches in Oswego, and United Way Executive Director Patrick Dewine.? Absent from photo are committee members Aaron Thorpe of Vanguard Title Research; United Way Resource Development Director Ali McGrath, United Way Intern Alyssa Barrett of SUNY Oswego, and Helen Hoefer of Catholic Charities of Oswego County.