United Way of Cayuga County is celebrating a successful fundraising year.
The nonprofit held its Campaign Celebration & Community Movie Night at Auburn Public Theater on Wednesday to reveal the amount of money raised and the number of new donors who supported United Way’s mission through the annual fundraising campaign. County South Campaign Chair, Christine Bickal of Union Springs, announced that, through pledges and donations, United Way raised $642,200 from 1,562 gifts, surpassing last year’s total by over 2%.
Julisa Stone-Szpaicher with United Way told Finger Lakes News Radio that, while the dollars are important, the organization’s goal for this year was to increase the number of community members donating and becoming involved with United Way, something the organization is happy to announce they’ve accomplished.
“We’re really excited about the dollars that were raised, but this year we were really focused on growing the United Way family… This year’s campaign really saw the entire community from all regions of Cayuga County come together.”
United Way divides gifts into four categories: Corporate Gifts, Foundations & Trusts, Community Gifts, Employee Gifts, and Community Gifts (individuals who donate outside of work). Through expanded outreach efforts throughout the county, County North Campaign Co-Chairs Joanna Bilinski and Gennie Bartholomew announced that community giving saw a 15% increase in donors.
“We’re really excited about seeing more and more people coming out to our events and supporting our neighbors throughout all of Cayuga County,” continued Stone-Szpaicher.
Employee gifts and corporate contributions from 54 local workplaces contributed 42% of the total dollars pledged. County Central Campaigh Co-Chairs, Brian and Mandi Jessie of Auburn, recognized the following at the award ceremony before the celebration’s conclusion:
• 100% Employee Participation: Cayuga Lake National Bank, Scouting America Longhouse Council, and The Jacobs Press
• 100% Corporate Match: Hammond & Irving, MacKenzie-Childs, and Nucor Steel
• 100% Employee Participation & Corporate Match: Midstate Mutual Insurance Company and Tompkins Community Bank
• Community Care Award: Cayuga Community College—this award recognizes an organization that goes above and beyond to support the United Way of Cayuga County during the campaign and year-round as well as being a community partner with fellow nonprofits.
• Trailblazer Award: Tracy Meyers of D&W Diesel—this award recognizes an Employee Campaign Coordinator who either establishes a new or returning campaign or reinvigorates an existing campaign.
Money raised through United Way’s annual campaign is given to member agency programs that provide a variety of services throughout the county.
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