Lewis County rallies to begin United Way drive

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

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LOWVILLE — Approximately 40 people came out recently to help Lewis County’s United Way Campaign Kickoff Picnic at Veterans Park.

Last year, the organization raised nearly $63,000.

The goal for this year? There’s no magic dollar amount, said Jayn M. Graves, chief professional officer, at Friday’s event.

“While we try to improve our financial performance each year, the beauty of United Way is that the money comes in and goes directly out,” she said. “We really concentrate our efforts more in two ways: We aim for increased participation from all sectors of the community. Our goal is an overall 10 percent increase. This translates into stronger relationships and programs such as board development workshops to strengthen the entire local non-profit community.”

Ms. Graves said that businesses and organizations represented Friday included Kraft, Lowville Academy and Central School District, Pratt-Northam Foundation, Countryside Veterinary Clinic, Lewis County Chamber of Commerce, Northern Federal Credit Union, AmeriCu, state Sen. Joseph Griffo’s office and agencies receiving United Way funding.

Those agencies were American Red Cross, $2,000; Girl Scouts, $2,500; Hand In Hand, $3,000; Community Wellness Program, $2,000; Lewis County Opportunities, $12,500; Literacy of Northern New York, $1,500; Mountain View Prevention Services, $18,000; Salvation Army-Empire State Division, $1,000; Arc, $5,000; Volunteer Transportation Association, $5,000; and Lewis County Leadership Academy, $1,000.

Ms. Graves stated, “We are also in partnership with Constable Hall, Friends of Lewis County Hospice and Legal Aid, all of whom did not request funding for 2012.”

For more information, call 788-5631 or email campaign@nnyonline.net. Additional information may be found at www.unitedwayofnorthernnewyork.org.