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.