United Way honors local organizations, elects board members at Annual Meeting and Community Impact Celebration

ALBANY, N.Y. – Local business and nonprofit leaders joined United Way of the Greater Capital Region on Oct. 26 for its annual meeting and community impact awards at Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia.

The event, hosted by NewsChannel 13 Anchor Dan Bazile, recognized people and organizations in the Greater Capital Region that have helped improve lives and community conditions through effort and initiatives aligned with United Way’s mission.

• Receiving the United Way Community Impact Award was the University at Albany School of Social Welfare. The award recognized the school’s work with community partners on a cradle-to-career educational pipeline and character-based microloan initiative to provide investment capital to traditionally under-served populations. The school was also recognized for bringing research dollars into the Capital Region to develop programs focused on healthy aging, mental health issues and curbing substance abuse. The award was accepted by Dr. Katharine Briar-Lawson, Dean of the University at Albany School of Social Welfare.

 
• Receiving the United Way Advocacy Award was The Business Review. The award recognized The Business Review for using its public platform to promote the link between strong schools, academic success, the quality of the Capital Region’s workforce, and the region’s economic future. The Business Review was also honored for promoting the work of the non-profit sector through its annual Partners in Philanthropy publication. The award was accepted by Publisher Carolyn Jones.

• Receiving the United Way Media Partner Award was WVCR – Siena College Radio. The award recognized the station for broadcasting public service announcements throughout the year promoting United Way 2-1-1- Northeast Region. Specifically, the station was honored for helping spread the word that 2-1-1 is the free number that anyone can call to receive help and get connected with local health and human services. The award was accepted by WVCR General Manager Darrin Kibbey.

• The annual LIVE UNITED AWARD was given posthumously to longtime United Way supporter, educator and community philanthropist Robert Ludwig. In addition to his volunteer work and financial support for numerous community organizations, Ludwig taught for 39 years in Schenectady City schools, acting as department chair and district supervisor of Foreign Languages. Rabbi Matthew Cutler, of Congregation Gates of Heaven, offered tribute remarks and the award was accepted by Ludwig’s friend Ernest Kahn.

At the annual meeting portion of the event, presided over by Board Chair Robert Doyle, vice president of distribution for the Golub Corporation/Price Chopper, new members and officers were elected to the board.

         Elected to a first three-year term:

• Abby Atkins, Health Resources in Action
• Dr. Quintin B. Bullock, Schenectady County Community College
• Eddie Hicks, Prestige Services
• Adam Lawrence, KeyBank
• Patrick Lyons, NYSUT
• Michael MacLaury, Community Volunteer
• Robert Muzerall, Foreign Exchange Transactions
• Onofrio Pirrotta, IBM
• Richard Stack, Albany Port Railroad Corporation

        Elected to a second three-year term:

• Craig Apple, Albany County Sheriff’s Department
• Dan Sauer, MVP Health Care

         Officers elected to serve one-year terms:

• Chair                     John Kearney, Community Volunteer
• Chair-Elect            Dan Sauer, MVP Health Care
• Vice Chair             Charles Carletta, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Vice Chair             Christy Calicchia, New York Lottery
• Secretary              Liz Hood, NYS Education Department
• Treasurer              Katharine Doran, Teal, Becker and Chiaramonte, CPSs, P.C.

United Way of the Greater Capital Region brings people and resources together to improve lives and community conditions in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Schoharie counties.