Oswego, NY ? Jodi Lawton of Mexico, NY was recently announced the winner of the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s drawing for a stunning diamond ring.

The 14 karat yellow gold ring with a ? carat brilliant cut diamond and 12 baguette diamonds valued at $2,500 was generously donated by DuFore Jewelers in Oswego. The local business has been an active supporter of the United Way for many years, with the Christmas Eve raffle drawing a longstanding tradition many locals look forward to.

United Way Resource Development Director Stacey Morse said this year?s raffle generated a record high in ticket sales, raising more than $3,300 to support the United Way?s Annual Campaign.

?We cannot thank DuFore Jewelers enough for continuing to support the United Way?s mission of ending hunger, building successful youth, and ensuring wellness throughout Oswego County,? said Morse. ?This partnership is truly a shining example of what can be accomplished when we live united.?

To learn more about the United Way of Greater Oswego County and the 31 local programs it helps fund, visit www.oswegountiedway.org or www.facebook.com/OswegoUnitedWay

Fulton, NY ?Seven local businesses recently took part in a countywide Giving Thanks, Giving Back initiative by donating a percentage of their sales from Nov. 27 to the United Way of Greater Oswego County.

Barado?s on the Water in Central Square, GJP Italian Eatery in Oswego, Gibby?s Irish Pub in Oswego, Fajita Grill locations in both Fulton and Oswego, Phoenix Sports Restaurant in Phoenix, and Bombadil?s Tavern in Phoenix collectively raised more than $1,000 to support the United Way?s mission of ending hunger, supporting children and youth, and ensuring wellness across Oswego County.

Stacey Morse, United Way resource development director, said they were thrilled with the level of participation seen during the second year of Giving Thanks, Giving Back.

?This event was a true illustration of what can be accomplished when we live united,? said Morse. ?We are so grateful that these community champions joined us to make a difference in our county.?

According to Morse, the United Way hopes to expand Giving Thanks, Giving Back and make it an event that community members can look forward to.

?We hope to see this initiative grow in the coming years,? she said, adding they plan to continue holding the event on the day before Thanksgiving to make it easy for locals to give back at the start of the holiday season.

?The timing of Giving Thanks, Giving Back is intentional,? said Morse. ?We chose the day before Thanksgiving so people who are home visiting family for the holiday have the opportunity to give back to their hometown while supporting local establishments.?

All funds raised by Giving Thanks, Giving Back go toward the United Way?s Annual Campaign. The United Way touches the lives of all ages in all corners of Oswego County by providing funding to 31 programs run by 20 different nonprofit agencies. To learn more about the United Way of Greater Oswego County, visit oswegounitedway.org or call 315-593-1900.

Oswego, NY ? DuFore?s Jewelers is once again serving as a shining example of a community-minded small business by continuing the annual tradition of donating a diamond ring to be raffled in support of the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Campaign.

This year?s diamond ring is 14 karat yellow gold with a .50 carat brilliant cut center diamond and twelve baguette diamonds. The ring is currently on display at DuFore?s Jewelers, 94 West Second Street in Oswego.

?This year?s ring is absolutely stunning and the continued support and generosity from Dufore?s is truly remarkable,? said Stacey Morse, United Way resource development director. ?The unwavering support we receive from local small businesses is incredible. It takes an entire community working together to create positive change, and I believe we have that level of dedication here in Oswego County.?

This year?s diamond ring is valued at $2,500, but locals can take a chance on winning the ring for as little as $1 per raffle ticket or $5 for six tickets. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the United Way?s mission of ending hunger, supporting children and youth, and ensuring wellness throughout Oswego County.

Tickets are available at DuFore?s Jewelers, the United Way office located inside the Community Bank building at 1 South First Street in Fulton, and from United Way staff and board members. The winning ticket will be drawn at noon on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

For more information, visit the United Way?s website at oswegounitedway.org or call the office at 315-593-1900.

Oswego, NY ? The Oswego Lions Club recently showed its commitment to supporting the local community by contributing $1,000 to help the United Way of Greater Oswego County fight hunger.

The donation will go toward the United Way?s annual Stone Soup Luncheon coming up on Nov 7 at St. Joseph?s Parish Center. Each year the event brings together area businesses and community members to collect monetary and nonperishable food donations which are used to fill the shelves of local pantries as the holiday season quickly approaches.

?We are extremely thankful for the continued support of the Oswego Lions Club,? said Stacey Morse, United Way resource development director. ?Over the years they have given thousands of dollars to food pantries throughout Oswego County, allowing agencies to provide nutritious meals to countless families in need.?

Morse said the sponsorship from the Lions Club, combined with donations collected from event attendees, results in hundreds of dollars and boxes of nonperishable food items going to three local pantries: the Human Concerns Center, Catholic Charities of Oswego County, and Salvation Army of Oswego County.

Along with the contribution from the Lions Club, Morse said the annual event would not be possible without help from generous local businesses and teams of dedicated volunteers.

?We are grateful for the many local businesses that are stepping up to provide soup and sides for the event,? said Morse. ?We are also fortunate to have groups of volunteers from Novelis and the SUNY Oswego Women?s Hockey Team who have helped in past years with everything from setup and salad prep to sorting nonperishable food donations and serving soup. I think this event really showcases how much can be accomplished when people come together for a shared cause.?

Ending hunger in Oswego County is one of the United Way?s three main target areas. To learn more about the organization and find updates about future events, visit oswegounitedway.org.

Oswego, NY ? The United Way of Greater Oswego County will hold the 14th annual Stone Soup Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7, at St. Joseph?s Parish Center, 240 W. First Street in Oswego, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Stone Soup Luncheon began as a social event to bring together individuals, agencies, and businesses in an effort to increase awareness around hunger in Oswego County. Over the years it has transformed into a fundraiser and food drive that local agencies rely on.

Stacey Morse, United Way resource development director, said all profits and nonperishable food donations from the event will be divided between local pantries that provide food for hundreds of hungry individuals.

?We are asking people to come together to help end hunger,? said Morse. ?We hope this event will shine a light on the very real issue of food insecurity in our county, and will generate resources to support agencies that are providing food to families in need.?

?The need for food access continues to rise. Knowing that our partner agency food pantries annually distribute thousands of meals, hunger is still a pressing issue in Oswego County,? Morse added.

The menu for United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon will feature several varieties of soups donated by local restaurants, along with salad, rolls, and dessert from area businesses.

?The amount of community support for this event has been unbelievable,? said Morse. ??We truly appreciate how many local businesses have stepped up to make this luncheon possible, and how many volunteers have offered their time to make the day a success.?

The United Way will be accepting a donation of $5 per person, and those attending are urged to bring a donation of nonperishable food items. Those unable to attend the event but would still like to make a donation may call the United Way of Greater Oswego County at 315-593-1900. For more information, visit oswegounitedway.org.

7/25/2019

Oswego, NY ? Now in its 17th year of existence, the United Way?s Stuff-A-Bus campaign has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the Oswego County community, and the 2019 school supply drive will be no exception.

As the need for school supplies for children of Oswego County continues to grow, neighbors are likely to see other individual drives popping up in their neighborhoods, but the iconic yellow buses parked in support of the Stuff-A-Buss Campaign will still be stationed around the county on Aug. 16.

?United Way takes great pride in supporting this initiative by identifying the needs of the community and supporting the solutions to address those needs,? said Patrick Dewine, United Way executive director. ?By garnering additional support throughout the community year after year, in 2018 alone we were able to provide 1,840 children with a total of 46,858 school items across Oswego County.?

Dewine said the mission of the program is to continue this tradition in order to ensure all children in Oswego County have the tools they need to be ready to learn on the first day of school.

?We are only able to continue this tradition thanks to our large network of volunteers across the county, our dedicated partners in each of the nine school districts, and thanks to new business partners who connect and engage with our mission,? said Dewine. ?We are happy to be able to continue providing this needed service to families in our community.?

This year, Dewine asks that community members take special notice of both the Stuff-A-Bus distribution sites and giveaway locations, which have seen some changes from previous years.

On Aug. 16 school buses will be located at the following sites from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accept donations of school supplies, including pens, pencils, index cards, backpacks, rulers, and more.

• Big Lots at 140 State Route 104 in Oswego (new location)
• Top?s Supermarket on Route 3 in Hannibal
• Kinney Drugs at 3318 Main Street in Mexico
• Kinney Drugs at 3873 Rome Road in Pulaski
• Kinney Drugs at 9543 Route 11 in Brewerton (new location)
• Kinney Drugs at 17 South First Street in Fulton
• Fulton Savings Bank Plaza on Route 57 in Phoenix

Staff members and volunteers from all nine Oswego County school districts and the United Way of Greater Oswego County will sort the collected supplies with a portion going to each district in the county.

Volunteers will be distributing supplies throughout the county as follows,

• APW ? Tuesday, Aug. 20, 9 ? 11 a.m. at the APW Bus Garage
• Central Square ? Tuesday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m. ? noon at the Central Square Bus Garage (new location)
• Fulton ? Monday, Aug. 19, 4 ? 7 p.m. at Fairgrieve Elementary School
• Hannibal ? Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1 ? 3 p.m. at Kenney Middle School
• Mexico ? Tuesday, Aug. 20, 8 ? 11 a.m. at Mexico Middle School Gym
• Oswego ? Tuesday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m. ? noon, or until supplies last, at Fitzhugh Park School
• Phoenix ? Wednesday, Aug. 28, 5 ? 7:30 p.m. at Maroun Elementary (new location)
• Pulaski ? Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1 ? 4:30 p.m. at Pulaski High School (new location)
• Sandy Creek ? Tuesday, Aug. 20, 6 ? 7 p.m. at the Sandy Creek Board Room (new location)

Families are urged to attend the distribution in their school district only. A copy of the student?s 2018-2019 report card is required to participate. If entering a district for the first time, or transferred into a new district, an enrollment letter from that district is required.

School supplies will be available for those who would find it challenging to purchase the supplies that their child need for school. Volunteers will be on hand to assist and guide the children and to make sure they get the supplies they really need.

For more information on the Stuff-A-Bus campaign contact the United Way office at 315-593-1900 or visit oswegounitedway.org.

7/24/3019

Oswego, NY ? This Saturday, July 27, enjoy a full breakfast at the Club House Tavern/Spencer?s Ali while supporting the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s annual school supply drive, the Stuff-A-Bus campaign.

The Club House Tavern/Spencer?s Ali, located at 126 W. Second Street in Oswego, is once again hosting the breakfast from 8 to 11:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of July. The event is sponsored by Pathfinder Bank, Eagle Beverage, and tavern owners Robert and Liz McGrath.

United Way Executive Director Patrick Dewine said there are also many other supporters who help make the fundraiser possible year after year.

?We are very appreciative of the support we receive from all of our event sponsors,? said Dewine. ?I also need to acknowledge the planning committee that has been at work for months setting up this year?s event; the many volunteers who make sure the morning runs smoothly; and all of the local businesses that have provided in-kind donations to make the breakfast possible. It is inspiring to see how many businesses and community members are willing to come together to make sure youth across our county have the tools they need to be ready to learn on their first day of school.?

The suggested minimum donation for adults attending the breakfast is $6, with children 10 and under free. All proceeds and donations will benefit the Stuff-A-Bus campaign which helps distribute thousands of school supplies across Oswego County.

?Last year alone, the Stuff-A-Bus campaign collected 46,858 school supply items that were distributed to more than 1,800 children across all nine school districts in Oswego County,? said Dewine. ?This annual breakfast is our largest fundraiser to support the campaign, so we hope the community will once again come out for a delicious meal and set us on the path for another record-breaking year.?

Along with the breakfast, guests will also have the chance to win a Land Shark bicycle donated by Eagle Beverage. Tickets will be available at the breakfast for $1 each, or 6 for $5. The winner of the bicycle will be announced during the breakfast, but you do not need to be present to win.

After the breakfast, the next highlight of the annual Stuff-A-Bus campaign is a special collection day on Aug. 16 when school buses will be at the following locations from 9 am to 3 pm to accept donations of school supply items, such as pens, notebooks, backpacks, index cards, and more.

• Top?s Supermarket on Route 3 in Hannibal
• Kinney Drugs at 3318 Main Street in Mexico
• Kinney Drugs at 3873 Rome Road in Pulaski
• Kinney Drugs at 9543 Route 11 in Central Square
• Kinney Drugs at 17 South First Street in Fulton
• Fulton Savings Bank Plaza on Route 57 in Phoenix
• Big Lots at 140 State Route 104 in Oswego

For more information on the Stuff-A-Bus campaign or the annual breakfast, call the United Way office at 315-593-1900 or visit oswegounitedway.org.

7/16/2019

Oswego, NY ? United Way Resource Development Director Lexie Wallace, left, joins Stuff-A-Bus Co-Chairperson Laurie Kelly, center, and Billye Germain of Pathfinder Bank in displaying the United Way?s paper buses. Community members can now show their support for the annual Stuff-A-Bus Campaign by purchasing a paper bus at Pathfinder Bank branches throughout Oswego.

Each year the Stuff-A-Bus Campaign works to ensure every child in our community is prepared for the first day of school by collecting school supplies to be distributed to less fortunate students throughout Oswego County. All proceeds from paper bus sales will go toward purchasing additional school supplies such as backpacks and calculators to support Oswego County students. For more information, contact the United Way by calling 315-593-1900 or visit oswegounitedway.org.

7/10/2019

Oswego, NY ? Sunny skies and a pristine course greeted golfers who participated in the 24^th annual United Way Golf Tournament on Monday, July 8, at the Oswego Country Club.

The tournament featured a morning and an afternoon flight, allowing for a total of 37 teams to participate throughout the day.

The first and second place teams for the morning flight received tied scores of 58, but Oscar Roofing was awarded the win after comparing the handicaps for the most challenging holes on course. Second place was awarded to the IBEW Local 43 team.

Top individual performers for the morning flight included:

Closest to the Pin, Hole 4: John Fiume / Maureen Caswell

Closest to the Pin, Hole 12: Eric Bresee / Deana Masuicca

Longest Drive, Hole 1: John Byrnes / Tamie Allen

The Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant team won the putting contest.

Morning skins winners included IBEW Local 43 with an eagle on Hole 14, Oscar Roofing with an eagle on Hole 10, FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant with an eagle on Hole 6, and Quaker Chemical with a birdie on Hole 8.

The Eagle Beverage team took home first place for the afternoon flight with an impressive 16 under score of 55. They were followed by Oscar Roofing?s second team of the day with a score of 57.

Top individual performers for the afternoon flight included:

Closest to the Pin, Hole 4: Bill Buske / Diane Lowry

Closest to the Pin, Hole 12: Bob Mazurowski / Lynne Eggert

Longest Drive, Hole 1: Kevin Dorsey / Lynne Eggert

The Novelis Men?s team won the afternoon putting contest.

Afternoon skins winners included Danno?s Deacons with birdies on Hole 4 and Hole 8, and Financial Partners of Upstate New York with an eagle on Hole 10.

?We could not have asked for a better day,? said Lexie Wallace, United Way resource development director. ?The event ran smoothly mostly thanks to the guidance of our tournament planning committee, which includes John Nelson, Lynne Eggert, Dave Lloyd, and Rich Godden. They have volunteered their time for months leading up to the event to help with everything from outlining the course games to choosing prizes for our winners.?

Wallace also said the event?s success was made possible with endless support from the Oswego Country Club staff and restaurant.

?Course Superintendent Scott Peters and his team truly made sure the course was perfect for our event,? said Wallace. ?Golf Pro Ryne Varney and Assistant Pro Mike Hogan could not have been more helpful through every step of the planning process and the day-of tasks. We also appreciate all of the work LaP&T staff Ray Jock, Kim Jock, Tammy Murphy, and their team put into making sure our golfers received a prompt and delicious gourmet meal.?

?We are extremely grateful for our returning Major Sponsors Burritt Motors, National Grid, Novelis, and Exelon Generation?s Nine Mile Point and FtizPatrick Nuclear Power Plants,? said Wallace. ?They were joined by Corporate Sponsors Burke?s Home Center, Fulton Savings Bank, David Mirabito with Financial partners of Upstate New York, IBEW Local 43, NBT Bank, NRG, Penske Logistics, Motion Industries, and Quaker Chemical, as well as countless Tee Sponsors and Food and Beverage Sponsors.?

According to Wallace, more than 30 volunteers gave their time throughout the day to help with checking-in golfers, running on course games, and selling raffle tickets.

?This day would not have been possible without the many individuals who donated their time to support our event,? said Wallace. ?We had volunteers helping us from sunrise to sunset. Not only did they help with the physical tasks of running games and setting up tee signs, but they also added to the positive energy of the day by greeting each challenge with a smile. They were truly the driving force behind the tournament.?

Wallace said the annual golf tournament is the United Way?s largest fundraising event of the year, and support from these local businesses and individuals helps to make a difference in the lives of thousands of Oswego County residents.

?Last year alone, United Way partner agencies provided more than 150,000 meals and assisted over 13,800 people in accessing the tools they need to lead healthier and happier lives,? said Wallace. ?We are thankful for all of the sponsors and teams that participated in our golf tournament because their support truly helps our mission of ending hunger, building successful youth, and ensuring wellness across Oswego County.”

To learn more about the United Way of Oswego County, or to view more pictures from the 24^th annual Golf Tournament, follow the organization on Facebook by searching @OswegoUnitedWay.

6/18/2019

Oswego, NY ? Golfers participating in the 24^th annual United Way Golf Tournament will once again have the chance to drive away with a brand new vehicle thanks to major sponsorship from Burritt Motors.

?We are so grateful that Burritt Motors has chosen to support our tournament by offering a hole-in-one contest,? said Lexie Wallace, United Way resource development director. ?Not only are they strong partners of the United Way, but the Burritt Motors team seems to constantly be active in the community. We consider ourselves lucky to have them as dedicated neighbors.?

Along with the hole-in-one contest, Wallace said there will be additional on-course games, as well as 50/50 raffles and other prizes.

The United Way Golf Tournament will take place on Monday, July 8, at the Oswego Country Club with tee times at 8 am and 2 pm. Together with Burritt Motors, Wallace said National Grid, Novelis, and Exelon Generation?s Nine Mile Point and FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plants are returning as major event sponsors.

?This is our largest fundraising event of the year, and it would not be possible without help from these community partners,? said Wallace.

In addition to many returning sponsors and teams, Wallace said there have also been quite a few new community champions stepping up to support the event.

?We are very excited to welcome two teams from Vistra Energy to this year?s tournament,? said Wallace. ?And we have also seen many new hole sponsors, including Canale Insurance & Accounting and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CNY Realty. Every sponsorship truly makes a difference, and we are grateful for all of the new and returning supporters we have in the community.?

Team registrations and sponsorship information for the 24^th annual United Way Golf Tournament can be found by visiting oswegounitedway.org or by emailing rddunitedway@windstream.net. Event news and updates are posted across the agency?s social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, which can be found by searching @OswegoUnitedWay on each platform.?