The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Supporting community agencies
Annual luncheon raises funds for 13 area non-profits
ONEIDA, N.Y. >> The United Way of Greater Oneida is kicking off its annual luncheon this September, continuing support of local agencies who help the community.
Liberty Resources Divisional Director Sara Haag said the United Way is one of Liberty Resources Help Restore Hope Center’s many generous funders. Liberty ResourcesHelp RestoreHope Center is the domestic violence, sexual assault, and crime victim service programservingMadison County for more than 30 years.
“These local dollars from the United Way go directly to support the program’s client assistance ‘FreedomFund’,” Haag said. “The FreedomFund is available to current program clients who are engaged in Help Restore Hope Center services, and for whom other resources are not available. These clients are those who need a hand up as they leave abusive situations and begin a new life. Because the needs of a survivor can vary so much, and are sometimes very circumstantial, the Freedom Fund seeks to offer one-time limited support for important everyday client items that are key to their success in a new, safe life free from abuse.”
Haag said this support could range from anything, from shoes
and clothes to taxi vouchers and diapers — anything needed to help clients in Liberty Resource’s care.
Each year, the United Way holds a Kickoff Luncheon to signal the start of its fundraising campaign to help agencies in the area. The local community is invited to hear from some of these agencies and the importance of their support.
“I’m passionate about the United Way,” said United Way Executive Director Denise Laube. “It’s been my life for 31 years. I care deeply about this community. I was raised in this community. And I’m very passionate about the agencies United Way partners with and the services they provide. It would be a hardship on these agencies if the Oneida Way funding wasn’t there for them. They count on us, year after year. And the services they provide are extremely important.”
The United Way supports a number of organizations including the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities of Madison County, the Church on the Rock Food Pantry, the Community Action Partnership of Madison County, Heritage Farm, Karing Kitchen, the Oneida Area Day Care Center, Madison County Children’s Camp, Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Hospice & Palliative Care of Oneida, Herkimer and Eastern Madison Counties and Wanderers’ Rest Human Association.
In a February letter to the editor, Oneida Area Day Care Center Director Jill Mitchell said funding from the United Way provides the center with much-needed supplies and resources for attending children needed to grow and learn.
“I would like to thank the community members who contribute to the United Way,” Mitchell wrote. “With your support, we are able to provide exceptional care and services to the children and families of this community. We take pride in helping them achieve their milestones and preparing for their school experiences.”
Haag said without the help of the United Way and support of the local community, Liberty Resources wouldn’t be able to help the almost 600 individuals and families annually that contact them for assistance.
“The Help Restore Hope Center and the United Way work together to provide some of our community’s most vulnerable individuals and families with help when they need it the most,” Haag said.
The United Way Kickoff Luncheon takes place Thursday, Sept. 19 at noon at the Kallet Civic Center. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $15 each, which includes lunch. There will also be a raffle with around 25 items up to be won.
The guest speaker this year is Amanda Larson, president and chief executive officer of the Gorman Foundation and board member of the Oneida Area Daycare Center.
This year’s goal is $134,200 to support the 13 agencies across the greater Oneida area. Residents can donate by cash or check to “United Way of Greater Oneida, P.O. Box 648, Oneida NY 134210648”; by a payroll deduction or PayPal at www.unitedwayofgreateroneida.org. For more information, call the United Way of Greater Oneida at 315-363-5779.
“It would be a hardship on these agencies if theOneidaWay funding wasn’t there for them. They count on us, year after year. And the services they provide are extremely important.”