On November 30, representatives from 25 organizations within Tompkins County gathered to receive awards for their 'Pacesetter' participation in the United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) Community Campaign. Together, the Pacesetters raised 22% of the annual campaign by hosting workplace campaigns, special events, and employee incentive programs.

This appreciation event took place on the stage of the Kitchen Theatre Company, where UWTC President James Brown opened the ceremony with a special note of appreciation to the Pacesetter Campaign chairs Matthew Forney, Tompkins Trust Company and Kathy Schlather, Human Services Coalition

"The Pacesetter co-chairs and participating organizations set the standard for our community, a standard for giving, and a standard for caring," Brown notes.

Also speaking at the event was Community Campaign Co-Chair and Chaplain at Cayuga Medical Center Reverend Tim Dean, Dean thanked the Pacesetters and encouraged them to continue sharing with others the importance of UWTC's campaign. At the event, Dean introduced the premier of a new UWTC video 'The Joy of Giving'. Dean opened the video with comments on the relationship between giving and joy: "We hope to remind you that it's not just money that we give through the United Way – we are giving love to our community. And when we give love away, we end up having more!"

'The Joy of Giving', highlights the community benefits of giving to local programs that support your neighbors.

"Joy is found in the act of giving. When we give in ways that impact lives, we also receive the benefit of a stronger community," states honorary co-chair of the campaign, Dave Ashton. He and on-air partner Jennifer Mattison provide the voiceover for the video.

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