8/22/2018

Fulton, NY ? The Rural Health Network of Oswego County, a consortium of health care providers and human service providers in Oswego County, recently provided United Way of Greater Oswego County with a donation of $2,500 in support of United Way?s Stuff-A-Bus program.

?The Stuff-A-Bus campaign?s efforts to reduce disparities for Oswego County residents is directly in line with the mission of the Rural Health Network (RHN), which is to facilitate partnerships and planning that contribute to a healthy and thriving Oswego County,? said RHN Coordinator Leanna Cleveland.

?The Stuff-A-Bus campaign provides relief to families who may struggle to afford school supplies. It builds a sense of community and demonstrates how we can lift each other up and help one another in Oswego County. By providing families with these supplies the RHN hopes to allow families the opportunity to focus on health and wellness rather than become consumed with the worry of how to afford school supplies. We are dedicated to closely examining social determinants of health and finding ways to address them to contribute to a healthy and thriving community.?

United Way Executive Director Patrick Dewine said he is grateful for the donation which will aid the Stuff-A-Bus campaign in filling the need for more expensive items.

?Our community does a tremendous job in donating so many school supplies but there is always a gap for items such as calculators and backpacks. After sharing that with Leanna the RHN decided to assist us in that area.?

?Students know when they have different items than their classmates,? said Cleveland. ?In considering the mental and emotional health of students it was important to the Rural Health Network to provide all students with the same opportunities across the board. We can provide students with pens, pencils, highlighters, etc., but if they don?t have a backpack to carry them in students are still ?othered? in a way that can affect students tremendously.?

?The work that United Way does for Oswego County is imperative to the health and wellbeing of our community. United Way touches so many lives both directly and indirectly through their initiatives. They are a great community partner of Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) and The Rural Health Network.?

Operating under the auspices of OCO the members of the Rural Health Network work together to take a collaborative approach to addressing major health issues in Oswego County.? For more information on the Rural Health Network of Oswego visit the Rural Health Network (RHN) pages on the OCO website at www.oco.org.

Cut line for photo: Rural Health Network of Oswego County Director Leanna Cleveland presents United Way of Greater Oswego County Executive Director Patrick Dewine with a check for $2,500 in support of United Way?s Stuff-A-Bus campaign. Held annually the Stuff-A-Bus campaign collects school supplies for distribution to economically disadvantaged children throughout Oswego County so that they may have the necessary supplies to successfully begin the school year.

8/22/2018

Fulton, NY – United Way of Greater Oswego County Executive Director Patrick Dewine has announced that Lexie Wallace has been chosen as the agency?s director of resource development. ?A native of Skaneateles, Wallace holds a bachelor?s degree in communication from Nazareth College and a master?s degree in communication from Southern New Hampshire University.

Wallace, who most recently worked as a reporter for The Valley News, has spent several years working with non-profit agencies. She had previously worked with New Hampshire Catholic Charities through the AmeriCorps VISTA program and was the community engagement coordinator for the Syracuse Northeast Community Center. She is excited about joining United Way and the opportunity to work with a non-profit organization.

?When I was growing up I volunteered at a soup kitchen,? said Wallace. ?Seeing that need first hand left an impression on me. It?s a good feeling to know that now in my professional life I am able to once again help fill that need.?

Wallace became familiar with United Way during her tenure at the Syracuse Northeast Community Center where she was involved with two of the Community Center?s programs that received funding from the United Way of Central New York, its Basic Needs Pantry and Senior Day Center.

?That funding was essential to those programs,? said Wallace. ?As the one speaking on the Community Center?s behalf to encourage donations to the United Way, I was able to share how impactful United Way can be and the positive difference it makes.?

As resource development director Wallace will take the lead on the United Way?s Annual Campaign, its Golf Tournament, and Stone Soup Luncheons. Additionally, she will be working with the United Way campaign cabinet as well as campaign coordinators to ensure successful in-house company campaigns.

?We are pleased to welcome Lexie as part of our team,? said Dewine. “Her background in communication combined with her work experience and knowledge of non-profits will prove to be a tremendous asset to United Way.?

?I?m excited about my role at United Way,? said Wallace. ?Supporting my community is important to me, and strengthening the pillars that United Way focuses on – ending hunger, helping youth succeed, and improving the community?s overall well-being – is a perfect way to do so.?