Archive: Around Town

United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) has celebrated its 90th Community Campaign exceeding the $2,151,000 goal by raising $2,160,733.  This milestone was shared with volunteers, donors, and community supporters today.

Gregory Hartz, President & CEO of Tompkins Trust Company and outgoing Chair of UWTC Board of Directors, welcomed 165 guests to the Annual Campaign Victory Celebration and Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on Thursday, April 26th at the Country Club of Ithaca. His remarks included recognition of all the dedicated volunteers and generous donors, including the Corporate Cornerstone Partners, whose gifts are covering all of UWTC’s administrative and operating expenses, so that every dollar given by donors goes directly to support health and human services and programs.



Sarah Manasse and Elaine Quaroni, UWTC Board Members and Fund Distribution & Evaluation Co-Chairs, had the opportunity to share that UWTC’s Community Care Fund realignment to support seven issue areas: Basic Needs, Child Care/Early Learning, Crisis Services, Financial Stability/Building Self-Sufficiency, Health/Environment, Seniors, and Youth has been streamlined with emphasis on outcome based decision-making funding that improves understanding of the community investments and reporting. Committee members were thanked for their dedication and service.

Greg Hartz and James Brown had the honor of thanking all the volunteers for their time, efforts, and support, including outgoing UWTC Board Members Philip McPheron, Ellen O’Donnell, and Michelle Rios-Dominguez.  New UWTC Board Members were introduced: Andy Boerman, Carolyn Peterson, Charlie Phlegar, Paul Streeter, and David Wickwire along with new Emeritus Directors: Maryanne Banks, Thomas LiVigne, John  Rudd, and Gary Woloszyn.

Greg Hartz, Mary and John Gutenberger, Nancy Fuhr Bonn and Fred Bonn were recognized for their leadership and hard work.  Lynnette Scofield was thanked for her dedication and commitment to Volunteer…LIVE UNITED, the online Volunteer Center hosted by United Way of Tompkins County to promote volunteerism throughout Tompkins County.  Joan Barber, lead volunteer, for the annual UWTC food drives received a round of applause for her volunteer efforts.

It was announced that one year after being recognized as the Campus Organization of the Year by United Way Worldwide, the Cornell Student United Way will receive the LIVE UNITED in ACTION – Income Award.  The Cornell students are being recognized for their support of the UWTC Stephen E. Garner Summers of Service Program.  This important teen employment initiative provides paid positions ($1,500) to local high school students to work full-time during the summers at UWTC member organizations.  Student United Ways are campus-based clubs or organizations led by students on more than sixty campuses across the United States.  In Tompkins County alone, Cornell University, Ithaca College, and TC3 have Student United Ways. Congratulations to Cornell Student UWTC Chair Jessica Zhao ’12 and Vice Chair Alan Workman ’13.  The students were applauded for their work.

United Way Worldwide developed the awards program to draw attention to the collective efforts of every Student United Way across the country and to highlight: outstanding individual leadership; exceptional Student United Way organizations; savvy social media skills; and successful program- efforts focused on education, income, and health.  Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide will present the Student United Way Awards on Wednesday May 2nd in Nashville, TN at the Global Community Leaders Conference.

Campaign Co-Chairs Mary and John Gutenberger and Nancy Fuhr Bonn and Fred Bonn, thanked all the guests for attending this year’s celebration. They shared several highlights from the Community Campaign, including the Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring and Stuff the Bus for School Supplies Drives. As part of their remarks, they recognized the dedicated Campaign Committee Members, community volunteers, and donors for their generous support, especially during a challenging year, including floods in our area that devastated many people’s homes and businesses to our south. The CU Women’s Hockey Team, Student Engagement, and Tompkins Connect were acknowledged and thanked for their outstanding support and partnership with UWTC.


The Campaign Co-Chairs had the honor of presenting The Patricia E. Stage Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award to recognize John Turner, Vice President, Public Relations, at Cayuga Medical Center. John made significant contributions to the success of the 2011-12 UWTC Campaign. As Chair of the Marketing & Communications Committee, he has spent countless hours working on year-round marketing efforts of UWTC.  He has organized news conferences, written copy for news releases, designed print ads, and offered creative ideas to share information about UWTC and the programs and services funded. With John’s leadership as Pacesetter Co-Chair over the past several campaigns, the Pacesetter companies have consistently exceeded their division goals.

He has served as Co-Chair of Cayuga Medical Center’s UWTC employee campaign, which has surpassed its fundraising goal every year. John is first Vice-Chair of the UWTC Board and the incoming 2012/13 Board Chair. It was noted that John always has a smile and positive “can do” attitude and is willing to go above and beyond to support the work of UWTC in our communities. 

Key Contributor Award – This year’s Key Contributor Award was presented to BorgWarner Morse TEC for its outstanding support of the UWTC Community Campaign.  Borg Warner staff members organized a successful employees’ campaign with donations exceeding $75,000 to support programs and services. In this challenging year, BorgWarner provided an important and needed lift for the Campaign.

UWTC volunteers and staff attended employee campaign presentations and meetings at Borg’s campus, which have proven to be extremely beneficial. Employees have supported the annual Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring. BorgWarner Morse TEC is a founding member of UWTC’s Corporate Cornerstone Program and has continued these valuable contributions since 2007.  The combined corporate and employees’ gifts this year totaled $125,744.   BorgWarner Morse TEC and its employees are community partners that understand the value of helping individuals and families to lead better lives.

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