(Utica, NY – Feb. 23, 2015) United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area has randomly chosen and announced the winners of the 2014 Great Community Challenge. This incentive has helped to raise a total of more than $200,000 new dollars, through the easy access pledge form. Entries were also received through a printable form, which was available online.
“We began the Great Community Challenge in 2012, as a way to engage new members of the community with United Way and raise new dollars from existing donors. 1 in 5 people in the Valley & Greater Utica Area requests help from a United Way funded program every year. Requests for funding far exceed the funds we have available from our Annual Campaign. We work hard, all year, to raise as much funding as possible to invest in measurable programs that make a difference in Education (ensuring kids start school ready to learn), Income (stabilizing family income), Health (improving access to health for all) and Community Safety Net (for crisis and disaster type services),“ said Brenda Episcopo, CEO of United Way.
This year two prizes were added to the Great Community Challenge in hopes to increase participation and the impact that could be made in the community due to the increase in donations.
The winner of the “Fill Your Room” $500 gift certificate donated by Joe Tahan’s Furniture is Gale Hatch, employee of JPJ Electronics.
The winner of the “Fill Your Fridge” $500 gift certificate donated by Chanatry’s Hometown Market is Theresa Wilson, employee of The Fountainhead Group, Inc.
The winner of the “Fill Your Tank” $500 Citgo gas card donated by Clifford Fuel is Kara Ladd, employee of Gilroy, Kernan and Gilroy.
The winner of the “Fix Your Vehicle” $500 gift certificate for service at any Carbone location, donated by Carbone Auto Group, is Marcus Vanderwarker, employee of Indium Corporation.
The winner of the “Fix Your Bike” $500 gift certificate to Harley Davidson, donated by Carbone Auto Group, is Rene Oldick, employee of M&T Bank.
When asked why they chose to LIVE UNITED by donating to United Way, each winner’s response varied slightly around the theme of “to help the community.”
“I honestly forgot that I entered to win a prize,” said Kara Ladd
winner of the “Fill Your Tank” prize donated by Clifford Fuel, “I just wanted to donate to help our community. I was happy and surprised when I got the phone call; winning was an added perk.”