United Way sets $123K campaign goal

SCHUYLER COUNTY--The United Way of Schuyler County is kicking off its annual fundraising campaign for 2016, working to raise $123,000 for 24 area health and human service agencies serving Schuyler County residents.
The United Way of Schuyler County is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to improving lives, strengthening the community and building a stronger Schuyler County. United Way Executive Director Peggy Scott said the group will be hosting their annual spaghetti dinner Monday, Oct. 10 at the Montour Moose Lodge.
This year's chairs are Ben and Marian Saks.
Agencies that will receive benefits include the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library, Elizabeth B. Pert Memorial Library, Glen Industries of the Arc of Schuyler County, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society of Schuyler County, Montour Falls Memorial Library, Mustard Seed Ministries, My Place, A Play and Learning Center, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Schuyler County Family Play & Resource Center, Schuyler Head Start, Schuyler Hospital, Schuyler Hospital Chaplaincy Program, Schuyler Housing Opportunity Council, Schuyler Outreach, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts Five Rivers Council, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Challenge Industries, Community Dispute Resolution Center, Finger Lakes Addictions Counseling and Referral Agency (FLACRA), Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Inc., Literacy Volunteers and the Southern Tier Association for the Visually Impaired.
"We are pretty excited," Ben Saks said. "We both grew up here and are honored to be representative of the United Way." Saks added they like to be active in the community and highlighted how much the United Way gives back to area agencies each year.
The United Way of Schuyler County has also honored Ken Wilson of Watkins Glen with the annual Marie Bailey Award.
The award recognizes an individual or agency for support of United Way efforts in Schuyler County. It memorializes the late Marie Bailey, known as a "tireless volunteer," Scott said at the annual United Way agency luncheon Wednesday, Sept. 21.
Scott cited Wilson for serving as a United Way campaign co-chairman in 1983 and president of the United Way board in 1986-87, and for his support of the 2015 campaign led by his daughter and son-in-law, Jenny and Tom Lewis.
"He has a trifecta for United Way. There isn't anybody else who has done this," Scott said. "He has never wavered in his support for United Way."
In accepting the award, Wilson noted that Bailey was among the first people to enlist his involvement with United Way. He was serving as board president when the award honoring her was created.