Archive: Around Town

United Way of Tompkins County volunteers, donors, and community supporters gathered recently at Coltivare in Downtown Ithaca for the Community Campaign Celebration and Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. The 2017-18 UWTC Community Campaign was led by Volunteer Campaign Co-Chairs Heather McDaniel, TCAD, and John Rudd, Cayuga Medical Center and Cayuga Health System. UWTC volunteers and staff reflected on the challenges and successes of a strong and exciting campaign, and year.

The Celebration began with introductions by current Board Chair J.R. Clairborne and a report from Community Investment Committee Chair Leslie Meyerhoff. She described the excitement and challenge of a new community impact approach instituted during the 2017-18 Community Care Fund grant cycle. She noted the excitement which arose over the more inclusive grant model, noting that 15 new agencies applied to UWTC's Community Care Fund this year.

Marketing and Communication Committee Chair, Devan Accardo discussed UWTC's messaging over the past year and highlighted futures activities. Callyn Pyhtila, the Planning and Community Impact Committee Vice Chair, reported on her team's work with strategic planning and looking forward.

Among the highlights of the program was a showing of a new promotional videos highlighting the Women's Opportunity Center, Mental Health Association, and Lifelong as partner organization's of UWTC.

Attendees also enjoyed a performance by the Lifelong Senior Theatre Troupe, a group which developed as one of Lifelong' s many activities offered for seniors in Tompkins County.

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 and programs in our communities.

Campaign Co-Chairs Heather McDaniel and John Rudd presented the 2017-18 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 staff of CFCU Community Credit Union for their longstanding support and advocacy of United Way of Tompkins County.

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 Tompkins Trust Company employees' Callyn Pyhtila and Stephanie Strykowski. Both of these women exhibited an engaged and vital commitment to the work of United Way of Tompkins County through dedication of time, talent, and compassion.

The 2017-18 Community Campaign kicked off with the United Way Day of Caring on September 30th. This annual event collected more than 1,000 pounds of food for local food pantries to help combat hunger throughout Tompkins County. At the Day of Caring the Community Campaign Goal of $1,933,184 was announced.

At the Campaign Celebration Heather McDaniel and John Rudd announced that UWTC has raised 97% of its campaign goal with just over $1.8 M in the 2017-18 Community Campaign. The funds raised throughout the community will strengthen access to education, income, and health programs throughout Tompkins County and allows UWTC to further its mission.

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