Press Release:

HomeCare & Hospice will be participating in the Genesee County United Way Annual Day of Caring on May 23. 

United Way volunteers will be matched to local agencies and non-profit organizations to assist in hands-on projects in their communities. 

HomeCare & Hospice of Batavia will be seeking volunteers to assist in cleaning the Pathway of Life Garden at Grandview Cemetery which is a memorial brick garden surrounded by beautiful foliage, flowers, benches, and a place of relaxation and quiet reflection. The bricks are a lasting public tribute to your loved ones.

Volunteers are needed on May 23 beginning at 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. to complete pruning trees, pulling up the walkway to remove roots, weeding, grass removal, and power washing of benches and walkways.

Individuals or teams can sign up to volunteer by contacting Caitlyn Farnung at caitlin.farnung@unitedwayrocflx.org or by calling 585-242-6517. Volunteer registration is open until May 10.

If you or someone you know could benefit from hospice, please contact HomeCare & Hospice at 585-343-7596 or visit homecare-hospice.org.

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes is hosting its annual Day of Caring on May 23. Day of Caring is the largest single day of volunteering in the region. Six counties, including Genesee, Ontario, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, and Wyoming will mobilize over 6,000 volunteers on May 23.

The dedicated committee of volunteers in Genesee County has helped to match agencies with volunteers for 15 years! Hundreds of volunteers in Genesee County will work together to meet the needs of dozens of local agencies and non-profits.

By participating in these engaging, hands-on projects, volunteers help create a brighter future for local communities and help those in need.  

There are still volunteer spots available and agencies to support in Genesee County. Sign up as an individual, or as a team with friends, family, or colleagues using the contact information below for a fun-filled day of giving back to the community! Register to volunteer in Genesee County by April 19 to receive a T-shirt. Registration for volunteer opportunities will be open until May 10.

Join us for the Genesee County Day of Caring kickoff on May 23 at Dwyer Stadium, starting at 8 a.m.

Looking to volunteer in Genesee County? Contact Caitlin Farnung at caitlin.farnung@unitedwayrocflx.org or (585) 242-6517.  

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Reach out to MarcAnthony Bucci at marcanthony.bucci@unitedwayrocflx.org or (585) 242-6449 to learn more. 

Press Release:

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes will once again present, Summer Serenade, featuring the Genesee Symphony Orchestra.

The Serenade will take place on Saturday, September 9, at Terry Hills Golf Course and Banquet Facility, beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature hearty hors d’oeuvres, a concert by the Genesee Symphony Orchestra, and desserts. A cash bar will be available. 

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Genesee Symphony Orchestra and United Way’s Backpack Program in Genesee County.

United Way’s Backpack Program provides easy-to-make meals for school-aged children in need throughout Genesee County. Currently, the program is supplying over 700 monthly meals to children throughout four school districts.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra is a dynamic, regional orchestra that presents an ambitious portfolio of concerts for the enrichment of our community through high-quality performances, educational opportunities, guest artists, and partnerships.

Tickets for the Serenade are $50 and can be purchased through any Genesee Symphony Orchestra Board Member, Lawley Insurance in Batavia, or online at unitedwayrocflx.org/summerserenade.

More than 400 area residents hit about 40 sites in Genesee County to volunteer their labor to make the community a little bit better as part of the annual United Way Day of Caring on Thursday.

The Batavian stopped by a handful of the volunteer locations, such as Adam Miller Toys and Bicycles, GO ART!, the YMCA, the War Memorial, Dwyer Stadium, and the Community Garden.

Volunteers also went to six different locations for Arc GLOW, the Batavia Cemetery, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cross Roads House, the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, Eagle Star Housing, Ellicott Trail, the Peace Garden, Gilliam Grant Community Center, Holland Land Office Museum, Machphelah Cemetery, Purple Pony, Resurrection Parish, St. James Episcopal Church, St. Paul Lutheran, UMMC, and the Village of Elba, among other locations.

All photos by Howard Owens.

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes’ Day of Caring is quickly approaching on May 11. Day of Caring is the largest single day of volunteering in the region. Over 5,000 volunteers will be mobilized across six counties, including Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, and Wyoming.

Volunteers are matched with a local nonprofit agency. Examples of nonprofit volunteer needs include gardening, spring cleanup, and beautification projects.  There are still hundreds of volunteer spots available and agencies to support! Sign up as an individual, or a team with friends, family, or colleagues using the contact information below for a fun-filled day of giving back to the community. 

Looking to volunteer in Genesee County? Contact MarcAnthony Bucci at MarcAnthony.bucci@unitedwayrocflx.org or (585) 242-6449.

 

Press release:

On Tuesday, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes announced $400,000 in impact grants to 52 nonprofits across Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming counties. Programs that will benefit from these grants include summer camp and after-school programs, food pantries, domestic violence prevention programs, etc. This announcement comes as United Way marks one year since its six-county merger.

“It has been an incredible year, bringing together the power of a region to serve our local communities and these grants awarded today are a great example of how we rally together as a region to address critical issues in our community,” said Jaime Saunders, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “We are grateful to all of our generous donors and workplace partners that run employee campaigns and make the grants announced today possible.”

More than $100,000 in grants will benefit summer camp and after-school programs. The GLOW YMCA is one of the organizations that will receive United Way grants.

“We service 10 school districts across the Genesee and Livingston counties. For this upcoming school year, we’re already planning on impacting 166 families,” said Greg Reed, District Executive Director of GLOW YMCA. “The Y never denies service due to inability to pay and funding from United Way plays an insurmountable part in that.”

97 workplaces across Genesee, Livingston, and Wyoming counties participate employee campaigns to help raise funds for United Way. Canandaigua National Bank and Trust has created a six-county challenge grant, matching every new and increased donation to United Way up to $500,000.

“The entire CNB team is extremely proud to make such a large investment in United Way and our region,” said Vince Yacuzzo, Vice President and CFO of Canandaigua National Bank and Trust and United Way board member. “The campaign year is not yet over, so we encourage people to take the opportunity to take this opportunity to double their impact.”

Organizations that will benefit from the impact grants are:

• Genesee County
• All Babies Cherished Pregnancy Assistance Center
• American Red Cross Western New York Chapter
• Arc GLOW
• Boy Scouts of America, Iroquois Trail Council, Inc.
• Care-A-Van Ministries
• Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Inc.
• Genesee Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
• Genesee County CASA for Children
• Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, Inc.
• Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council
• Gillam Grant Community Center
• Girl Scouts of Western New York
• GLOW YMCA
• Homecare and Hospice
• Hope Center of LeRoy
• Junior Achievement of WNY
• Literacy West NY, Inc.
• PathStone Corp
• Project Stork Inc
• The Salvation Army- Batavia Corps
• VIA Visually Impaired Advancement f/k/a Olmsted Center for Sight
• Warrior House of WNY
• YWCA of Genesee County, Inc.

Photos by Howard Owens

Top photo: Greg Reed, District Executive Director of GLOW YMCA at the podium.

Jaime Saunders, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. 

Vince Yacuzzo, Vice President and CFO of Canandaigua National Bank and Trust and United Way board member.

More than 300 community volunteers turned out today for United Way's annual Day of Caring to perform a variety of tasks for local organizations.

Photos are from Crossroads House and Justice for Children.

At Crossroads, a family paid for a new cement walkway and patio and volunteers are planting a garden so that those staying at Crossroads can be taken outside and enjoy a bit of nature.

The groups receiving assistance: 

• Purple Pony
• Peace Garden
• Holland Land Office
• Town of Batavia
• Machpelah
• Crossroads House
• St. Max Kolbe
• GO ART!
• All Babies Cherished
• UMMC
• Gillam Grant
• ABCD
• Eagle Star
• Lifetime Assistance
• Community Garden
• St. Joe's
• St. James
• Justice for Children
• Batavia Cemetery
• BEA- Jr. Achievement
• CCE
• Notre Dame
• Batavia Housing Authority
• Warrior House
• Arc Glow-Elba House
• Tops Food Drive-Arc GLOW

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes is now accepting applications for its premier Leadership Development Programs. These five-day, once per week, in-person programs teach core skills in self-leadership, cultural awareness, and how to infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion framework into leadership positions in the workplace, on boards and committees, and in volunteer service work. Curriculum topics include personal development; diversity, equity, inclusion; board governance; cultural perspectives; and social issues.  More than 2,000 local community leaders have graduated from these programs over their 40-year history.  

Programs currently accepting applications include:

• African-American Leadership Development Program
• Emerging Leaders Development Program
• Latino Leadership Development Program
• PRIDE Leadership Development Program

The programs cost is $399 per participant and space is limited. An orientation will take place on August 3, with a graduation ceremony on November 3. The registration deadline for all programs is Tuesday, May 31.

To register and learn more details about specific programs visit https://unitedwayROCFLX.org/get-involved/leadership-development.

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes has appointed Lawana Jones as its new Chief Operating Officer. Jones brings over 20 years of experience in organizational management and 16 years of nonprofit leadership to the role. Jones will oversee multiple internal departments, projects, and processes, including resource expansion, marketing, leadership development programs, community engagement, data warehouse creation, and business analytics.

“We are thrilled to have such a talented and visionary seasoned executive join United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes leadership team,” remarked Jaime Saunders, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “Lawana brings a unique combination of corporate leadership and nonprofit insights along with continuous improvement and deep IT knowledge. She is eager to use her talents and leadership skills to support our six-county region as we evolve to meet the local needs of our community now and into the future.”

 “I am excited for the bright future of United Way and the organization’s transformation as we now support our six-county region. We are working hard to ensure that we continue to show up and support our community every single day and in a more transformative way,” added Jones.

Jones recently worked at L3Harris as the Principal, Continuous Improvement Lead, and Senior Project Manager. Before that, she served as the Project Director for Information Security Services at Xerox.

Jones also serves as President and CEO of The Autism Council of Rochester, which she established in 2005. She is active in community service, serving on several nonprofit boards and committees.

Jones is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Scrum Master, and Agile Project Manager. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Nazareth College of Rochester, an MBA Certificate from the University of Rochester, and is currently earning a Ph.D. in Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University.

Jones has received the NY Senate District Women of Distinction Award, the Community Service Award from the Rochester Business Journal, and the 40 under 40 Community Award from the Rochester Business Alliance.

Additionally, Jones is a 2001 graduate of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes’ African American Leadership Development Program and a 2007 graduate of Leadership Rochester. Jones assumed her role as Chief Operating Officer Thursday, March 31.

Volunteer registration is now open for United Way’s annual Day of Caring, happening on Thursday, May 19. For the first time in its 36-year history, Day of Caring will take place across Monroe, Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming, Wayne, and Ontario County on the same day.

Day of Caring is the community’s single largest volunteer effort, helping local not-for-profit organizations with projects, or ‘needs’, that they may not otherwise have resources for. Day of Caring needs includes painting, raking, cleaning up parks, planting community gardens, etc.

This year, more than 100 agency volunteer needs have already been registered. To browse through a list of needs, and to sign up to volunteer, visit unitedwayrocflx.org/volunteer. Volunteers can sign up as individuals or as a team. Volunteer registration closes Thursday, May 12. Agencies have until Saturday, April 30 to register a need.