United Way
United Way of the Valley
 and Greater Utica Area
WINTER 2019 NEWSLETTER CONTENTS


Your contribution helps 1 in 4 people in the Valley & Greater Utica Area.



United Way's Free Tax Prep program offers free tax help to people living in Oneida and Herkimer Counties who generally make approximately $56,000 or less. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing for taxpayers from eligible households. Tax prep sites accommodate people with disabilities and interpreting for limited-English speakers is available.  Sites will be available in Utica, Rome, and Ilion.

Appointments to file taxes with our Free Tax Prep program can be made beginning January 25th:  Please visit our Free Tax Prep page for scheduling information.

The 20th annual Saranac Thursday and Summer Concert Series proved to be a record year for donations collected for United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica Area.

The 2018 summer season raised $42,948.00.  The weekly Thursday night event and Summer Concert Series has been a unique fundraiser since 1998 for United Way and it's longstanding 
community  partner, F.X. Matt Brewing Company...



Contestants for the 2nd Annual Youth Cooking  Challenge Presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield are currently being selected!

Children will be paired with a local chef and each team will then be professionally filmed preparing a "signature" dish. 

The public will be invited to vote online for their favorite team -   stay tuned for further details!

UPCOMING EVENTS


The seventh annual LIVE UNITED Hockey Night in support of United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica Area gets underway at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Saturday, February 16. The Utica College Pioneers will be taking on Wilkes University; game time is 7:00 p.m.

This year's LIVE UNITED Hockey Night is also LEGO Night!  LEGO-themed coloring sheets will be available for children. 

LIVE UNITED Hockey Night offers United Way the opportunity to share our work with the community in a fun, family-friendly environment. Utica College Pioneer Fans are encouraged to wear a LIVE UNITED shirt to the game for a chance to win prizes. LIVE UNITED shirts will also be available at the game with a donation.  Get tickets here!



 

Emerging Leaders United wants to help you develop life-long practices for a healthy career.  Join us for our third "Taste of Success" professional development training and luncheon.  

"Is Your Head in the Game?" with Joshua Amodio of Priceless Inspections, LLC.
Learn tips for getting into the right mindset to achieve your goals and create success.

Date: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Location: Swifty's Restaurant & Pub, 257 Genesee Street, Utica

Limited seats available.    Register Your Seat at the Table Today!
Connect with women like you on Thursday, March 7th, 2019.

Hosted by our Women United affinity group, this event is coming to our community for the second time in 2019! Proceeds of the event will go to fund United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica Area's Ready For Kindergarten Initiative (R4K) to "care" for our youth and help pave their road to success!

Attendees will care for their wellbeing with this one of a kind ladies evening out. Enjoy a deluxe...


Put on your green LIVE UNITED/MARCH UNITED tee shirt and come march in Utica's St. Patrick's Day Parade with United Way and Saranac Brewery on Saturday, March 16!

This fun and unique volunteer opportunity is for anyone in the general public who wishes to join in the parade with us- and ALL AGES are welcome!

If you'd like to register to walk with a NEW St. Patrick's Day LIVE UNITED/MARCH UNITED tee shirt, please order here by March 3. Shirts are available for a $10 donation.

If you already have your own LIVE UNITED shirt, you can  register here any time before March 15.  

All marchers are required to wear a LIVE UNITED shirt.

United Way committees are a great opportunity to meet and work with area professionals, learn more about United Way and the work being accomplished, and help make the Valley and Greater Utica Area a better place for all to work and live.  

We are currently looking for new committee members for the following:
  • Emerging Leaders United (Formerly Young Leaders United)
  • Community Engagement & Events Committee
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VOLUNTEER & RECENT EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

16th Annual United Way Tailgate Party

Former Assemblyman Marc Butler and Waterfront Grille owners Rocky & Barb Fiato hosted 16th Annual United Way Tailgate Party on Sunday, January 13.

Approximately 60 "tailgaters" helped raise $2,285 for United Way during the NFL Divisional Round playoff game between the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots...



Giving Tuesday/NY Gives Day

Over 53,000 meals were packed at MVCC for 2018's Giving Tuesday/NY Gives Day, held November 27th, 2018.

United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area participated in Giving Tuesday, also known in New York as NY Gives Day. On this day, nonprofits from across New York State work together to harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations, to celebrate generosity and philanthropy throughout our local communities.



Attendees donned their best & worst flannels, won prizes, ate great Utica-style pizza at Lukin's Brick Oven Pizzeria and pre-gamed for the Thursday Night NFL Steelers vs Panthers game, November 8th!

In conjunction with United Way's Hygiene Drive, people were able to bring a hygiene item to be entered into a door prize. All items were then distributed to a local domestic abuse shelter and food pantry.

Prizes were awarded for the Best & Worst Flannel and there was also a stein-hoisting competition!

The event was hosted by Emerging Leaders United  to benefit United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica Area funded programs and was s ponsored by the always delicious  Lukins Brick Oven Pizza!

Resource Development Coordinator

Director of Community Impact and 211 Mid-York

Director of Finance

Kristyn Bucciero Beckwith
Director of Development and Marketing

Office Manager

Volunteer & Event Coordinator



Community Impact and 211 Mid-York Coordinator

Utica ESPRI Administrator

Erin Gutierrez Matt
CEO/Executive Director

Beth Meeusen
Family School Navigator, Remsen and Town of Webb

Finance Specialist

Administrator of Initiatives and Grants

Family School Navigator, CVA

Family School Navigator, VVS and Holland Patent

Finance Assistant

Campaign Coordinator

Financial Services Administrator

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Your contribution helps 1 in 4 people in the Valley & Greater Utica Area.