04/29/15

Fulton, NY ? One of the area?s most anticipated and largest golf tournaments, the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Golf Classic is looking to be bigger than ever this year. Scheduled for Monday, July 13th, the United Way Annual Golf Classic will be held at one of Central New York?s finest private golf courses, the Oswego County Club.

Celebrating its 20th 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. ?We?re proud to be having our 20th Golf Classic at such a beautiful course as the Oswego County Club. This is the third year that the Oswego County Club has hosted the event and keeps getting better every year,? said United Way Resource Development Director Ali McGrath.

According to Planning Committee Chairperson, John Nelson of the Nelson Funeral Home, the committee is working diligently to ensure that all golfers and sponsors will enjoy a great day of golf for a great cause. “We are excited to be returning to the Oswego County Club for the United Way 2015 Golf Classic. The United Way Golf classic is an excellent opportunity for people to gather and support the mission of the United Way while enjoying a round of golf on one of New York’s finest private courses,? said Nelson.

The 2015 United Way Golf Classic will follow last year?s successful format by offering two flights of golf, an 8:00 a.m. tee off and a 2:00 p.m. tee off. Registration for the four man captain and crew teams includes: golf cart, goodie bag, breakfast, snacks, and a chicken and steak lunch for morning flight; Sandwiches, snacks and a chicken and steak dinner for the afternoon flight.

Each flight will feature a variety of on course games including a chance to win a car at the designated Burritt Motors Hole-In Hole hole, closest to the pin, putting contest, longest drive and beat the pro, along with a 50 / 50 drawing, silent auction and a drawing to win two Adirondack chairs.

Major sponsors for this year?s United Way Golf Classic include Novelis, Entergy, National Grid, Exelon Generation, Planned Results, and Burritt Motors. McGrath added that there are sponsorship opportunities available for those interested in being a part of the United Way Golf Classic including corporate foursome sponsorships and hole sponsorships. United Way is also accepting items for the silent auction that takes place immediately following the tournament, for businesses that would like to lend their support at that level.

For more information on the 2015 United Way Golf Classic, register a team, or become a sponsor for the event, visit oswegounitedway.org or contact Ali McGrath at your United Way office, 315-593-1900 x202, or via e-mail at aliunitedway@windstream.net.

Cut line for photo: John Nelson, chairperson for the 20th Annual United Way Golf Classic, meets with committee members to discuss details of the event. Scheduled for July 13th, the tournament will be held at the Oswego Country Club. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and organizations wishing to be involved with the event. Seated from left are: Kim McPherson of Eastern Shore Associates, John Nelson of Nelson Funeral Home, Dave Lloyd of Novelis and United Way Resource Development Director Ali McGrath. Absent from photo are committee members Community Volunteers Connie Smith, and Perry Noun.

4/21/15

Fulton, NY ? One of the benchmarks for a strong community is the overall health of its residents. United Way of Greater Oswego County helps to fund 16 human services programs that focus specifically on improving the health and well-being of Oswego County residents. One of the most vital programs to that mission is the Rural and Migrant Ministry of Oswego County.

Founded in 2000 by a group of women religious, the Rural and Migrant Ministry of Oswego County, provides free primary medical care to uninsured families and individuals. Located at 14 Stewart Street in Richland, the Rural and Migrant Ministry of Oswego County is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and hosts a free medical clinic each Wednesday from 5:00 to7:00 p.m. In 2014 the clinic received more than 200 doctor visits.

As the major funding source, United Way makes it possible for the Rural and Migrant Ministry of Oswego County to offer health care services. ?We serve the working poor,? said Executive Director Selena Hoyt. ?Many are working minimum wage jobs. The Affordable Care Act doesn?t make health care affordable for them. We are their only option for health care. United Way funding and our caring volunteer health providers make it possible.?

Each week uninsured Oswego County residents age 64 and younger have the opportunity to receive primary medical care from Dr. Laura Hamilton who takes time from her practice in Baldwinsville to volunteer her services to the Rural and Migrant Ministry?s medical clinic. Sharon Ellis, LPN also volunteers at the medical clinic and Pat Bellanger, LPN works with pharmaceutical companies to provide patients with prescription assistance.

In addition to the medical clinic, Hoyt said that she and staff member Amy Jackson provide patients with referrals and, when necessary, advocate on their behalf. Thanks to partnerships with other agencies such as Cornell Cooperative Extension, Oswego County Opportunities, BlueCross BlueShield, and the Pulaski Health Center, Rural and Migrant Ministries provides patients with the opportunity to receive more than just primary health care.

When needed Hoyt said that patients are referred to other sources of medical care such as OCO?s Cancer Services Program. Additionally, Dr. Hamilton does whatever she can with her colleagues. ?Thanks to the efforts of the clinic?s all volunteer staff, patients have received medical care for cases of throat cancer and breast cancer, issues that if not for our medical clinic would not have been diagnosed,? said Hoyt.

While the free medical clinic is their focus, Rural and Migrant Ministries of Oswego County also offers nutritional education, classes on healthy cooking, and houses a small emergency food pantry, which served 3,000 meals last year.

?We are very grateful for the support we receive from United Way. We are a poor area and there is a lot of need here. Our free medical clinic is the only one of its kind in Oswego County. Without it there would be many people that would not have medical care. There is nothing better you can do for your community than support the United Way. Donations stay in Oswego County and help people right in your own backyard,? added Hoyt.

As for the future, Hoyt said she would like to be able to serve more patients by welcoming another volunteer physician and a dentist, and secure additional funding to purchase the necessary medications for its patients and food for the agency?s emergency food pantry.

For more information on the Rural and Migrant Ministry of Oswego County, or to tour their facility contact them at (315) 298-1154 or via e-mail at rmmoc@yahoo.com.

For more information on the United Way and the programs it funds contact them at (315) 593-1900 or visit oswegounitedway.org.

Cut line for photo: Selena Hoyt, executive director of the Rural and Migrant Ministries of Oswego County is shown in one of the agency?s examination rooms. Located in Richland, Rural and Migrant Ministries hosts a weekly free medical that provides free primary medical care to uninsured Oswego County residents. United Way of Greater Oswego County provides major funding for the clinic.

4/7/15

Fulton, NY ? When it comes to the future of United Way it?s all about helping others. That?s the vision of new Executive Director of United Way of Greater Oswego County Patrick Dewine.

A native Oswegonian, Dewine is well versed in the United Way?s mission and share?s the agency?s vision of building stronger communities by ending hunger, helping children and youth succeed, and improving Oswego County?s overall health and well being.

?It all starts with education and collaboration,? said Dewine. ?Untied Way has a tremendous impact on Oswego County. Programs funded through United Way and administered by our member agencies touch the lives of our neighbors and our loved ones. It?s important that we educate the community about the vital role that United Way plays in improving the quality of life in Oswego County.?

Dewine brings with him fifteen years of business management experience. For many of those years he served as campaign coordinator for Friendly?s Restaurant?s in-house campaign in support of United Way. In that role he learned much about what United Way does and developed a greater understanding and appreciation of the agency?s importance to the county.

?When I spoke to my fellow employees about United Way it was surprising to hear them share stories of how loved ones and family members had benefited from United Way funded programs. It was an enlightening experience that made the United Way?s mission come to life. We may have an idea of what United Way does, and we may have heard about some of programs it funds, but when you hear real stories of how these programs can transform lives, and can put a face to those who are receiving services, it really drives the message home that United Way is an essential part of our community,? said Dewine.

It?s this concept of education that Dewine will expound upon as he begins his tenure as executive director. He said that he will soon be visiting area business and reaching out to community members to increase the visibility of United Way and the many ways in which the agency, and the human services programs it helps to fund, positively impact Oswego County.

In addition, Dewine stated that United Way would expand its involvement with social media to better connect with young adults. It?s a project that will be spearheaded by Resource Development Director Ali McGrath. ?Ali has a thorough understanding of social media and the many and varied platforms that are available. It may sound clich?, but today?s young adults really are tomorrow?s leaders. We need to be creative and forward thinking when it comes to educating them about how they can make a difference in their community and that supporting United Way is one of the best ways to do so. More importantly they are an excellent resource that can offer new and innovative ideas that may benefit United Way as well as those we serve, ? said Dewine.

Partnerships and collaborations have always been an integral part of United Way. Whether it?s working with campaign coordinators at their work place, coordinating volunteer efforts, or partnering with sponsors for the agency?s golf tournament or stuff-a-bus campaign, collaboration is the key to success. ?We are fortunate to have established such rewarding partnerships,? said Dewine. ?My intent is to nurture these partnerships and explore opportunities to establish additional partnerships throughout Oswego County.?

?It?s an honor to be chosen for this position,? added Dewine. ?It provides me with an opportunity to share my compassion and concerns for others. I won?t be doing it alone however; myself, the United Way board of directors, our dedicated staff, and our member agencies are working toward the same goal?to make Oswego County a better place to live, work and raise a family.?

4/7/15

Fulton, NY – The United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Salute to Leadership Giving and Volunteers Reception held recently was a celebration of many sorts. The reception, which combined the agency? annual meeting with the leadership reception, gave members of the United Way?s campaign cabinet and board of directors a chance to personally thank individuals that contribute to the impact of the United Way within the community. Leadership Givers, corporate sponsors, campaign coordinators, and community volunteers were all recognized as the heartbeat of the United Way of Greater Oswego County.

Among our volunteers recognized were the group of individuals that make up the Harborfest Breakfast Committee. Celebrating their 10th year this summer, their ongoing efforts have helped aid in providing school supplies to more than 15,000 children throughout Oswego County. ?We are proud of our Harborfest Breakfast Committee and the many volunteers that have donated their time and talents to make the event a success story that benefits less fortunate children and their families year after year,? said Executive Director Patrick Dewine.

?The volunteers and donors are truly the backbone of our organization. Their commitment and dedication has a deep impact on our success,? added Dewine. ?It was wonderful to see them thanked for their service; they carry out the mission and vision of the United Way.?

United Way Board President Bill Crist said United Way also chose the annual meeting as a time to express its gratitude to those who strongly support United Way. ?These exceptional businesses, individuals, and donors demonstrate remarkable dedication to United Way and its mission. Their care and concern for our community is inspirational and their generosity is paramount to the success of our Annual Campaign. Our ongoing relationships in the community that continue to strengthen and unite set the pace and get the campaign off to a strong start. We couldn?t do it without them,? said Crist.

?We were pleased to be able to shine the spotlight on our cherished volunteers, Leadership Givers, corporate sponsors, and campaign coordinators; and to acknowledge them on a personal level. They truly are the backbone of United Way,? said Dewine.

Cut line for photo: Members of the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Board of Directors along with the agency?s Campaign Cabinet recognized its many valued volunteers, leadership givers, campaign coordinators, and corporate sponsors during the United Way?s annual meeting. In front from left are: Campaign Cabinet Chairperson Rob Rolfe of Harmony Financial Services; United Way Board President Bill Crist; United Way Resource Development Director Ali McGrath, and Terry Syrell of Exelon. In back from left are: Brian Finn of Entergy; United Way Executive Director Patrick DeWine; Doug McRae of Bond Schoeneck and King; and Brian Cummings of Oswego County Federal Credit Union.

4/1/15

Fulton, NY ? Supporters of the United Way of Greater Oswego County gathered at Holy Trinity Church in Fulton to enjoy a delicious meal of soup, salad, rolls and dessert at United Way?s Stone Soup Too Luncheon. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for food pantries in Oswego County.

According to United Way Resource Development Director Ali McGrath, the Luncheon was a great success. ?We raised approximately $1000 and collected several bins of food for our local food pantries. I want to thank the community members who attended, and our many caring sponsors who donated the food for our luncheon: Mimi?s Drive-In, Blue Moon Grill, The Foursome Dinner, and Tavern on the Lock for our soups; C?s Farms & Davis Bros. for the salad fixings and Red Baron for the rolls; Kathy?s Cakes, Joe?s Corner Market, and Springside at Seneca Hill for our desserts; Hudson?s Dairy for the water and Dunkin? Donuts for the ?Boxes of Joe.?

?I would also like to thank Holy Trinity Parish for hosting the luncheon, the Fulton Lions Club for their generous donation of $500, Struppler?s Shurfine Market for donating canned soups to be displayed as centerpieces, and later distributed with the rest of the nonperishable food items, Price Chopper and Blue Moon for donating our door prizes, and of course our hard working volunteers and committee members, who helped to make our Stone Soup Luncheon a success,? added McGrath.

All proceeds from the event, as well as the food that is collected, will be donated to local food pantries including Catholic Charities of Oswego County, Salvation Army of Oswego County, and the Hannibal Resource Center Food Pantry.

Cut line for photo: United Way of Greater Oswego county Executive Director Patrick Dewine (l), accepts a food donation from Fulton Mayor and Rod Woodard (c) and fifth ward councilman Jay Foster (r). City of Fulton employees collected several boxes of food in support of United Way?s Annual Stone Soup Too luncheon. The luncheon is one of the many ways that United Way is working to stop hunger in Oswego County.