Archive: Around Town

United Way of Tompkins County volunteers, donors, and community supporters gathered recently at the Country Club of Ithaca for the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast and Community Campaign Celebration. The 2016-17 UWTC Community Campaign was led by Volunteer Campaign Chair Joe Mareane, Tompkins County Administrator.

The Celebration began with introductions by current Chair of the Board and CEO of CFCU Community Credit Lisa Whitaker and a report from Community Investment Committee Chair Scott Keenan, Tompkins Trust Company and Vice Chair Leslie Meyerhoff, Cornell University. Both Keenan and Meyerhoff described how the committee seeks to understand community conditions and invest in programs, initiatives, community change and capacity building efforts that focus on education, income and health.

Among the highlights of the program was a showing of two campaign videos produced by Well Said Media that showed important services provided by UWTC Partners O.A.R and Franziska Racker Centers. Attendees also watched to two performances by the GIAC Step Team.

During the Campaign Celebration the generosity of UWTC's Corporate Cornerstone Partners was prominently highlighted. The Corporate Cornerstone Partners Program allows for 100% of donors' gifts to build and support health and human services programs in our local communities.

Mareane presented the 2016-17 Key Contributor and Patricia E. Stage Outstanding Volunteer of the Year awards.

Key Contributor Award – This year's Key Contributor Award was presented to The William Henry Miller Inn for their willingness to step forward whenever needs within the community and United Way of Tompkins County have arisen. They have been a long-standing supporter of United Way's annual community campaign; a Corporate Cornerstone Partner, committed volunteers, and a great neighbor.

Patricia E. Stage Outstanding Volunteer of the Year – This award was established in 2004 to recognize a United Way of Tompkins County volunteer who has gone above and beyond with their time, efforts, and support. The award was named in honor of Patricia Stage for her outstanding work as a United Way volunteer. This year the award was presented to Cornell University Campaign Chairs Andy Noel and Kathy Zoner for their outstanding service to UWTC and the community as champions of the Cornell United Way campaign.

At the Campaign Celebration UWTC volunteers and staff reflected on the challenges and successes of a strong and exciting campaign.

Mareane announced that UWTC has raised $1,907,442.00.

Campaign funds support over 90 programs locally.

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