Archive: Around Town

James Brown, President of United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC), welcomed a crowd of supporters to Stewart Park today for the 12th Annual Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring and the 2014/15 Community Campaign Kickoff. He shared his remarks on how United Way of Tompkins County makes a difference in people’s lives by supporting essential education, income, and health programs.

Brown thanked the community for its generous support of the Day of Caring Food Drive and presented a new video that showcases the impact of UWTC. Brown announced four grant opportunities for local nonprofit organizations that open today. In total, $88,440 is available through the Hunger and Food Security Fund, T. Merrell Shipherd Flexible Fund, Youth and Philanthropy Program, and the Ithaca College Student United Way. Brown also thanked Cornell University and its Alumni Affairs and Development office for including UWTC in its upcoming Homecoming 2014 festivities; events include A Capella United, Homecoming 5K, and the Family Fun Day.

Beth Putnam, CFCU Community Credit Union and Pacesetter Company Co-Chair with Fran Secondo, Wegmans reported that the 29 Pacesetter organizations that “set the pace” by running United Way employee campaigns prior to the Day of Caring are seeing positive results. Some have also become Corporate Cornerstone Partners by generously supporting UWTC’s administrative and operating expenses. This enables 100% of donor gifts to support essential education, income, and health programs. They also announced the upcoming Community Oil Change this October at Maguire Family of Dealerships to benefit United Way of Tompkins County.

Campaign Co-Chairs Lisa Whitaker, CFCU Community Credit Union; Carl Sgrecci, Community Volunteer; and Hannah Wildenstein, Tompkins Cortland Community College ’15; announced this year’s Community Campaign goal of $2,150,000. Campaign gifts support essential education, income, and health programs that improve lives in Tompkins County.

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