United Way Kicks Off 2010 – 2011 Campaign

OSWEGO, NY – The United Way of Greater Oswego County has $794,000 left to go to reach its annual campaign goal for 2010-11.

At the campaign kickoff at The American Foundry, presented the United Way with checks for $1,000 and $5,000. They raised the funds by starting their own in-house campaign early, selling cold beverages at the recent Taste of Oswego and selling raffle tickets for SU basketball game tickets.

“It’s teamwork like that that makes the United Way what it is; helps us to help so many people all over Oswego County,” said Jonathan Daniels, chair of the Campaign Cabinet.

Teamwork was a recurring theme throughout the morning.

Assemblyman Will Barclay said everyone should take care of their health.

“But also, we need to look out for our community’s health,” he added. In Oswego County, whenever a neighbor is in need, someone is always there to lend a helping hand. I think that’s the strength of our community. We can’t let up, especially at this time when the economy’s down more people need help. That is why it is so critical that we support the United Way.”

“The United Way supports programs at the heart of a healthy community,” according to Melanie Trexler, executive director of the United Way.

Those programs depend on the United Way’s fund-raising efforts over the next several months, she pointed out.

“Raising money is not an easy job. It takes all of us in this room working as a team toward a common goal,” she said.

“As I look around the room, I see great diversity among our community volunteers, the board, the United Way staff and others that have joined us this morning,” Daniels pointed out. “We are all united in our goal to help those who are most in need.”

Managing a United Way campaign can be overwhelming, it takes a true team effort, he said.

Robert Rolfe of Pathfinder Investment Services shared how he reaches his goals.

“In setting goals there are a few simple things we need to do,” he explained. “We need to be precise. Write things down, that crystallizes goals and provides clarity. Set realistic goals.”

And create an action plan, the step most often missed in the process of goal–setting, he noted.

“A lot of times we can’t reach our goals alone. United Way and teamwork go hand in hand,” Daniels noted.

Carol Dillabough of Novelis shared more insight on good teamwork.

She invited representatives from the Oswego plant to join her on staged.

“Each of them represent another hundred people,” she explained.

They raised $700 at Taste of Oswego and are running a raffle for tickets to SU basketball games.

“Creative ideas like these keep the campaign fun and everyone interested,” she said. “Working on the team at Novelis provides a sense of belonging as well as personal achievement along with enhanced skills and greater motivation to perform.”

Although the team consists of a diverse group from all over the plant, they are united in their goal, she said.

“Novelis is putting our ‘can do attitude to the test, setting our campaign goal at $75,000 this year,” she said.

She then presented Daniels with a symbolic $5,000 check. Additionally, through their efforts at Taste of Oswego and the sale of raffle tickets so far, she was able to present him with a second symbolic check for $1,000.

This year, another volunteer created a video presentation to help spread the word about the United Way, its mission and programs.

This year’s video was created and produced by Lauren Daniels, an Oswego High School ninth grader and daughter of the Campaign Cabinet chair.

The banner was unfurled to reveal the goal of $800,000. That’s down a bit from this past year’s campaign.

“That doesn’t mean there is any less need in the community,” Daniels explained. “We wanted a goal that was certainly obtainable. And, one you can smash on your way to $880,000. This is your goal. And, as I said last year, we cannot afford to fail.”

Trexler offered “a heart-felt thank you” to everyone for all their hard work in the past and the work they’ll do for this year’s campaign.

“The United Way of Greater Oswego County’s goal (for the 2010-11 campaign) is to is to achieve optimal wellness for our community by raising funds that will support the many human services programs that our agencies administer throughout Oswego County,” she said.

To find out more about how you can help the United Way reach its goal, call 593-1900. missing or outdated ad config

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