- By United Way of Tompkins County
- Around Town
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United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) President James Brown welcomed a crowd of supporters and volunteers to Stewart Park this Wednesday for the 16th Annual Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring. Together, volunteers contributed more than 200 hours of service working to sort and distribute 7,500 pounds of non-perishable food, personal care items, pet supplies, and school supplies to thirteen Tompkins County food pantries.
The Day of Caring is named in memory of past UWTC leader and president of Tompkins Trust Company, Stephen E. Garner. Norbert McCloskey, Ithaca Health Alliance, recalled Garner's mission with a Winston Churchill quote, "service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth. "A figure who exemplifies the event's focus on service to others is Joan Barber, volunteer donations coordinator. Barber's motto is to "do something good each day," and for years she has accomplished this by volunteering for food pantries, PTOs, community centers – and of course UWTC through the Day of Caring beginning in high school.
At noon, a special program commenced during which funded partners, Pacesetters, and corporate partners highlighted the many reasons 'why' they engage with United Way. McCloskey, Ithaca Health Alliance, spoke on his agency's partnership with UWTC stating that, "together we are able to give people the health care they deserve."
Human Services Coalition and UWTC Pacesetter Campaign Chair Kathy Schlather emphasized the way UWTC helps to fill the gaps left by uncertain federal or local funding. A Tompkins Trust employee, Stephanie Strykowski, spoke on the Tompkins Trusts' recent Carnival for a Cause benefitting UWTC elaborating on their goal of providing community focused opportunity and care - bringing together their customers, employees and the larger community.
Brown noted at the conclusion of this program that UWTC will announce 2018-19 Campaign Chairs and the campaign goal at an upcoming event in October. More information will be released soon.
Day of Caring contributions were distributed to thirteen food pantries and three local agencies.
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