Newsletters| Funded Partner Agencies | Community Profile | For Partners For Children
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.
