Newsletters| Funded Partner Agencies | Community Profile | For Partners For Children
April 2011
United Way Raises $20,700 For February Challenge
Thanks to the support of individual and small business donations we met our February Challenge fundraising goals and are able to continue our vital work. Your gift supports the building blocks of a better life and a stronger community. Together united we can do more, help more and make more of a difference than any of us could ever do alone.
March 2011
February Challenge Update
United Way of Seneca County would like to thank Seneca Falls Savings Bank for their generous gift of $3,500 to assist in our February Challenge. "We have always been strong supporters of United Way through our corporate contribution and employee payroll deduction program." said CEO Menzo Case. To date the February Challenge has raised $17,200. Immediately following our announcement, we received an outpouring of support from the community and our partners. We are so grateful for the letters, calls and volunteers who have offered their time, energy and financial support.
New Grants
United Way of Seneca County has been awarded a United Way Worldwide Out-of-School Time Community Pilot Grant Award. This grant is made possible through the generous support of JC Penney Afterschool and will build the leadership capacity so that out-of-school time programs are a critical component of supporting youth success and improving high school graduation rates.
We have also been awarded a three-year grant from New York State OASES to reduce underage drinking among 9th-12th grade students. The grant is made possible by the work of the Seneca County Substance Abuse Coalition (a subset of the Seneca County Partners for Children, Youth and Families). The coalition was established in 1998 and convenes local and regional educators, human service organizations and substance abuse counselors and treatments centers to eliminate underage drinking and promote a drug-free community.
February 2011
United Way Announces plans for its future
At the United Way of Seneca County Annual Meeting held on February 15, 2011, the organization announced that to date the 2011 campaign $320,000, 90% of its goal.As a result of the campaign deficit the United Way Board of Directors announced a plan to raise $20,000 by the end of March, an initiative they called the February Challenge. Their plans also include reducing funding to partner agencies by $20,000.
“United Way of Seneca County is one of many smaller United Ways that have been severely affected by a slow economy and federal and state budget cuts.” Executive Director, Karen Beals said. “However, the needs of the community have never been greater as more and more families live below the poverty line and seek relief from the direct services our funded partner agencies provide,” Beals continued. With the loss of grant funds, United Way staff salaries were also reduced by over one-third or remained flat.
During the remaining weeks of February and March the United Way of Seneca County is asking Seneca County residents to consider a financial gift to United Way. The organization has secured $2,000 in seed funds to begin the February Challenge.
Donations can be made by credit card online at www.uwseneca.org or checks and money orders can be sent to PO Box 623 Suite 215 Main Street Shop Waterloo, NY 13165. United Way of Seneca County also offers automatic payroll deduction through local employers. For more information contact United Way at 315-539-1135 or email uwseneca@uwseneca.org.
December 2010
A Letter from United Way of Seneca County Executive Director Karen Beals
When the United Way of Seneca County began planning its campaign, no one would have predicted the continued tough economic times that our community is experiencing – increasing unemployment, higher gas prices - the organization is grateful and inspired by the generosity of this community and the results to date of the 2011 United Way of Seneca County campaign.
Now help is needed in the closing weeks of the campaign to ensure that they actually reach goal, that they actually raise enough money to help maintain a healthy community in 2011. United Way asks those employee campaigns that are still in process to finish strong and those who are still undecided on their charitable giving for 2011 to strongly consider investing in the United Way of Seneca County.
Why? Because it is likely that you or someone you know has received help from United Way of Seneca County at some point from organizations like the Red Cross, the House of Concern, libraries, Scouts or child care. Because United Way of Seneca County has the expertise and flexibility to meet the needs of all ages, from those just entering kindergarten to programs for the elderly that address their financial and health needs.
Because United Way’s focus on Education, Health and Income, as the building blocks of a strong community, brings results now and for the future. This year the United Way Board organized Solution Teams in these areas and remarkable progress has been made just by bringing the right people together with a common
goal.
In moving closer to the end of this year’s campaign, we can’t emphasize enough that every gift matters. Karen Beals, Executive Director. States, “We are lucky to live in an area that truly values generosity and compassion. Let’s make this the year we prove that no matter what the obstacles, Seneca County takes care of those in need
and advances the common good for all.”
October 2010
United Way Launches Annual Giving Campaign With a New Strategic Plan
United Way of Seneca County launched their annual campaign with a new strategic plan and an aggressive campaign goal of $350,000 –a 10% increase from what was raised last year.The money raised during the annual campaign is used to financially support 26 human service organizations that focus on United Way of Seneca County’s three main impact areas: education, income and health.
September 2010
Welcome D'or!
United Way of Seneca County welcomes D'or Seifer. D'or is an AmeriCorps VISTA serving as the Collaborations Coordinator. She recently graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, where she obtained a psychology degree. Originally from Tel-Aviv, Israel D'or is excited about bringing her multi-cultural background and passion for youth involvement to the United Way.
August 2010
Welcome Marissa!
Marissa Garcia has joined United Way of Seneca County. An AmeriCorps VISTA, Garcia will become part of the community and help the United Way develop a communications/marketing plan. Marissa is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio.
April 2010
Underage Drinking Not a Minor Problem Billboard Campaign
The Seneca County Substance Abuse Coalition (SCSAC) held a student Billboard Graphic Design contest where individuals were asked to promote and include the message “Underage Drinking – Not a Minor Problem”. Entrants included: Kiersten Adams, Meredith Beardsley, Jasmine Delong, Olivia Jabaji, Chelsey Marsh, Nate Mott, Amanda Porter, Nikki Reese and Kelly Stephens, from South Seneca High School and Amber Greer, from Waterloo HS.
Jasmine Delong, a 10th grade student at South Seneca High School submitted the winning entry. Each entrant received a $10 gift card and Jasmine received a $100 award. The first round of billboards will be on display May 17th to June 13th on the Waterloo-Geneva Rd, Route 96 (south of Ovid) and Route 96 A (south of Geneva). At least one billboard will be displayed in Seneca County until September 5th. Other community awareness projects include Town Hall Meetings which are expected to take place in the fall.
Youth Encampment 2010: It's More Than a Night in a Box
Seneca County youth raised $431 for local agencies that assist families struggling with homelessness. The youth also conducted a canned food drive, made blankets, and divided bulk up bulk shampoo into water bottles to be given to families. Each youth was responsible for constructing a “home” for them to sleep in overnight using only cardboard, duct tape and plastic tarps. A special presentation was done by Mike Whirtley from the Seneca County Youth Bureau and Tina Cooley from Seneca County Department of Human Services on what it truly means to be homeless. This event was planned, in full, by the Seneca County Youth Council and sponsored by United Way of Seneca County and Seneca Falls Savings Bank.
Annual Wine and Food Gala Raises $15K for Community!
For the past 22 years, people have come together for the United Way of Seneca County’s “Taste of Spring” event. Each year the United Way hopes to raise as much, if not more money as the previous year. However, this year because of the economy Executive Director Karen Beals and the United Way team were unsure of what to expect.
“I am always nervous right up until the event. I ask myself, did we sell enough tickets? Will everyone come? Was there something more that we should have done?” explained Beals. “This year was different because of the poor economy; the staff and I were feeling more unsure than ever. In the end, the community pulled together, as it always does, and ended up raising $2,000 more than last year!”
All of the funds generated will be used to continue the work that the United Way does- improve education, income and health, the basic building blocks for a successful and happy life. While “Taste of Spring” is a wonderful evening out, it is in reality the critical “kick-off” to the annual community campaign the United Way holds to raise resources to address community needs and increase the quality of life in Seneca County.
At the event, more than 500 people came through the door, with access to over 35 vendors from local restaurants and wineries. Some faithful vendors have been participating from the beginning – Swedish Hill, Knapp Vineyard. Newer ones include: Hotel Clarence, Happy Family, Muranda Cheese, Eleven Lakes Vineyard, Cayuga Creamery and Zugibe Winery. Each year, vendors donate their products, their time, and/or prizes to help host what is considered one of the most prominent events of Seneca County.
As the United Way looks to the future, they are already planning for next year’s event, with a set date of May 5, 2011. The Gala will once again be held at the Holiday Inn, just one of the many local sponsors that make this event so successful- others include Gay & Son Agency, Inc., Fingerlakes1.com, Finger Lakes Radio Group, Five Star Bank, Lyons National Bank, Savannah Bank, Seneca Falls Savings Bank, and Seneca Meadows.
May 2010
Taste of Spring Tickets on Sale Now!
Please join us on Thursday, April 29th, at the Holiday Inn- Seneca Falls/Waterloo for an evening of fun as we raise resources to address the needs in our community! Come enjoy sampling delicious foods and wines from Seneca County vendors. The event is from 5:30-8:00pm. Tickets are on sale for $25/Ticket only until April 28th. Please call us at 315-539-1135, email uwseneca@rochester.rr.com or visit our Special Events page to purchase tickets. Tickets are $30 at the door on April 29th.
It's Not too Late to Mail Back the 2010 Census
The success of the 2010 Census is in our hands - so fill it out and mail back your census form as soon as possible. Mid-April is the cut-off for mailing back the 2010 Census. For more information visit Why It's Important. Check out the 2010 Census Participation Rate Map to see how Seneca County is doing.
Seneca County High School Students Gear Up for Alternative Spring Break
The Youth Development Task Force is planning a large-scale community service event for Seneca County high school students to participate in. The event, Alternative Spring Break, will take place Friday, April 23- Saturday, April 24. The group will be volunteering at Cayuga Lake State Park, cleaning up the campgrounds and will also be working at Seneca County Headstart Day Care, prepping land for a new playground. The students will also be holding a car wash fundraiser for Seneca County Habitat for Humanity on Saturday from 9-12. Applications to participate in Alternative Spring Break are available on our Youth page, and will be accepted until April 9th. This event would not be possible without the help of the Seneca County Youth Bureau, Seneca Falls Savings Bank and Disney.
