Community's generosity celebrated at 2010 Campaign Awards Breakfast

See the list of this year's award-winning corporate supporters.

A new style of art glass awards was well received.

ALBANY, NY – United Way of the Greater Capital Region celebrated the community’s generosity at its annual Community Campaign Celebration on April 22.

Before a crowd of 330 at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Colonie, YNN News Anchor and event Emcee JoDee Kenney announced that last year’s United Way Campaign raised $8.5 million for the community. Kenney also presented awards to companies who demonstrated extraordinary commitment by making significant campaign investments.

Katherine Pelham, CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region, said this year’s award-winners deserved an extra measure of thanks. “In the midst of unprecedented economic change, you made a powerful commitment to our community,” Pelham said. “Because you cared, and because you stepped up and turned your caring into action, more people across the Greater Capital Region will have access to education, a stable income and good health. These are the building blocks for a strong community.”

United Way leaders reported that a total of $4.7 million in donor-directed gifts will support nearly 1,500 non-profit agencies this year. United Way will also distribute $2.1 million to local non-profits and collaborations through its annual community investment process, which mobilizes volunteers to review funding applications and make recommendations based on local needs and the ability of programs to meet those needs.

United Way of the Greater Capital Region Board Chairman Robert Doyle, of Price Chopper / Golub Corp., addresses the crowd.

Additionally, United Way secured $280,769 in grants this year that will help support United Way 2-1-1, United Way’s CA$H coalition and other initiatives that improve the way our community delivers critical services.

United Way of the Greater Capital Region Board Chair Robert Doyle said the organization is committed to supporting initiatives that use new and innovative ways to create lasting social change – not just pockets of change in small populations, but large-scale measurable change across our community.

“Today, United Way is more than a fundraiser,” Doyle said. “The dollars are important. In fact, they’re critical because United Way is able to multiply the return on every donor dollar you invest. But the Community Campaign total is not the end of our work. Our true measure of success is visible, positive change in our community.”

Event emcee JoDee Kenney introduces Fatima Fikri, who benefited from services provided by Literacy New York | Greater Capital Region, and Fatima's tutor Beverly Bankston. United Way provides funding to the literacy program as part of its investment in education.

Doyle explained, “United Way helps people who are struggling to meet their basic needs. But we also work to reduce poverty. We help children who struggle in school. But we also work to tackle the roots of failure so more children graduate and succeed. We help people lead healthy lives. But we also address the barriers to good health so we can prevent problems from occurring in the first place.” 

Testimonials of impact were shared by a literacy tutor and student from Literacy Volunteers Greater Capital Region, and by two students from Catholic Central High School in Troy, who served as volunteer tax preparers with United Way’s CA$H Coalition.

CA$H, which stands for Creating Assets, Savings and Hope, is a collaboration led-by United Way that assists with free tax preparation for income-eligible individuals. The immediate goal is to help working individuals take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit. United Way’s long term goal is to help local families gain financial stability and to reduce poverty. It was reported at the breakfast that to date, 7,800 tax returns have been completed resulting in $12.2 million brought back to the Capital Region.

JoDee Kenney introduces Damian Robidoux and Kristin Parsons, both seniors at Troy's Catholic Central High School. The two participated with their class and teacher Deb Doling as IRS-trained tax preparation volunteers with United Way's CA$H coalition. The CA$H coalition helps local individuals and families gain the tax credits and savings they are entitled to under law, as a critical step toward long-term financial stability.

Audience members at the breakfast also learned about United Way 2-1-1, the telephone information and referral service that offers free, direct, confidential and professional assistance for human services to residents in the community.

Doyle reminded the crowd that the organization’s invitation to LIVE UNITED is more than a catchy slogan or tagline that’s printed on t-shirts. “It’s a call to action, reminding us that the challenges we face can be overcome when we join together and focus on a common vision,” he said. “I am encouraged by our work and we all can see, from this morning’s program, that we are indeed a community that lives united.”  

United Way of the Greater Capital Region brings people and resources together to achieve measurable and sustainable improvements in the quality of life for our community.

More photos on United Way of the Greater Capital Region's  page.