The annual News Talk WHCU Wine & Dine Radiothon took place on Friday, March 2, raising over $4,000 for the United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC). Each hour from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., WHCU radio host Lee Rayburn auctioned off a case of local wine or beer that was paired with a gift certificate to a local restaurant to raise money for United Way.

Throughout the day listeners were able to learn about the variety of programs and services that are supported through UWTC. Guests included leaders of UWTC funded agencies that shared the value of their partnership with United Way, including Leslyn McBean-Clairborne from GIAC, Sue Dale-Hall from the Child Development Council, Dan Brown from Racker Centers, Dale Schumacher from The Learning Web, Lucia Sacco from Lifelong, Kristen Wells from Gadabout, Kate Shanks-Booth of the Women's Opportunity Center, and a panel of program directors from the Human Services Coalition.

The 12-hour event also featured interviews with several UWTC volunteers and donors that shared the ways that their work with UWTC has enriched their lives. "We put a big focus on telling people's stories and getting people's messages out there, and United Way has such an important message for our community," said Devan Accardo of Well Said Media, a member of UWTC's board and producer of the annual campaign videos. "It's a real privilege to be able to tell those stories and get to know the people who work at the many organizations that the United Way helps fund; to really show the impact that the United Way has in our community."

Campaign Co-Chairs Heather McDaniel of TCAD and John Rudd of Cayuga Medical Center spoke about the rising needs in the community and the Sprint to $300K campaign they have organized to address those needs. The campaign aims to raise $300,000 for UWTC funded programs before the end of March. 100% of all gifts to the campaign go directly to community programs as a result of UWTC's Corporate Cornerstone partners, who underwrite the organization's operating expenses.

Wine & Dine packages included the following pairings:

• Ithaca Beer Food & Beer Package
• Stella’s Barn and Lucas Vineyards
• Crystal Lake Café and Americana
• Veraisons and Wagner Vine
• Kilpatrick’s Publick House & Wagner Brew
• Red’s Place and Buttonwood Grove Winery
• Gola Osteria and Lakewood Vineyards
• H+J Hospitality and Treleaven Wines
• Texas Roadhouse and Six Mile Creek Vineyard
• Coltivare and Heron Hill Winery
• Scale House Food and Beverage Package
• Captain Bill’s and Shepherdess Cellars

WHCU is a part of the Cayuga Radio Group.

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