Change Maker Blog
A Day Encouraging People to do Good
Every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, millions of people swarm stores looking for minuscule deals on items such as electronics and clothing. This consumer-centric behavior has led to a decreased awareness of what the holiday season is truly about. In...
read moreAnother Successful Harvest Dinner for Theodore Roosevelt Elementary and the Healthy Lifestyles Coalition
On October 24, 2019, over 150 students, residents, and representatives of non-profits, and community organizations came together to enjoy a Fall Harvest Meal prepared with vegetables grown by students at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School in Binghamton. The event...
read moreInnovative Solutions to Intractable Problems: Planning a Future We Can Aspire to, Together- A letter from LoriAnne Welch, Executive Director
Early in my career, I was introduced to United Way through my employer. I recall leafing through a United Way pamphlet and being struck by its message – that if we dream big and work hard together for the common good, we can build a better future for each other. I was...
read moreYoung Professionals Making a Difference in Broome County
Join our next generation of emerging leaders! United Way’s Emerging Leaders are a dynamic group all about making connections – with a purpose. With the Emerging Leaders Society, you’ll have opportunities to give back to Broome County at events while meeting other...
read more211: We Answer the Call
Every year, millions of people across North America contact 211 for assistance. Ensuring every person has access to this critical resource exemplifies United Way’s fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. By...
read morePartnering for a Purpose
This year, United Way of Broome County unveiled its new 3-year Community Commitment with a vision of Revitalizing Collaboration, Inspiring Giving, and Unifying Efforts and Resources. One method employed to accomplish this vision is done by hosting supportive services...
read moreLocal Veteran Suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Works to Get His Life Back
John* was spending his usual Sunday afternoon grocery shopping for the week ahead. He grabbed his needed items and headed towards the checkout line. While in line, the individual at the register was having trouble with their payment, causing the person behind...
read moreDay of Caring (Video Recap)
Over 1,100 volunteers from across the community came together on September 13 and 14, 2019 to lend a hand during United Way of Broome County’s annual “Day of Caring” volunteer event. Here is a snapshot of some projects completed in the community! Thank you to all the...
read moreWelcoming New Board of Directors Members!
We would like to thank everyone who attended the 2019-2020 United Way of Broome County Campaign Kickoff & Annual Meeting. This amazing event was held last week for supporters, collaborators, volunteers, and our community to celebrate accomplishments and...
read moreWE LISTENED AND WE ARE TAKING ACTION
“Do what we do best and partner for the rest” Yesterday, United Way of Broome County was fortunate to host the Boost Broome event, to share what was heard and what learned during our Community Café Series. The Community Café Series was a collaborative effort to...
read moreAdvocacy Alert: Why an Accurate Census Count in 2020 Matters
The colossal task of counting every individual in the country as prescribed by the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment will launch on April 1, 2020, and for the first time, the Census Bureau’s count of the population will be primarily web-based. The decennial census;...
read moreTools for School Success – Hoffman Car Wash Backpack Drive
The new school year is right around the corner and that means students and parents all over the community are gathering up their supplies. Back-to-school shopping is typically a highly anticipated activity that arms students with all the critical supplies they need to...
read moreUnited Way is Committed to Boosting Broome
WE LISTENED. This year, United Way of Broome County hosted 10 community cafes, bringing community members from across the county together to share their thoughts about our community strengths and their vision for the future. More than 300 individuals participated...
read moreWe Are Fresh Cycles
FreshCycles, a program of the United Way of Broome County, is a Community Bike Shop located on Binghamton’s Northside, in the basement of the Lee Barta Community Center. We work with neighborhood residents, youth riders, bicycle enthusiasts of all ages, and people who...
read moreUnited Way and Raymour & Flanigan team up for Supporting Our Schools
As schools across the U.S. prepare to open their doors in the months ahead, retailers are preparing for the second largest shopping season: back-to-school. With excitement beginning to fill the air, this is the time of year when families go out to the store to buy...
read moreA Heartfelt Thank You
As we wrap up our 2018/19 Annual Community Campaign we say Thank You. Your gift to United Way of Broome County makes a positive and impactful difference in our community. Because of YOU, United Way of Broome County is able to assist 38 local non-profits with 72...
read moreDay of Action Summer Reading Gear Up!
“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book” - Dr. Seuss Reading over the summer break months is one of the main ways to keep your child’s brain active and growing in a constant state of learning. Reading not only increases a...
read moreBroome County’s Largest Volunteer Event is Right Around the Corner!
WHAT IS DAY OF CARING? Day of Caring is the single largest two days of community impact event in Broome County! On September 13 and 14, volunteers will fan out to locations across the community to complete service projects. United Way of Broome County is turning to...
read moreYoung Teen Uncovers a New Life through VINES’ Grow Binghamton program
Growing up is hard. Being a teen is harder. Often times, young individuals fall through the cracks and find themselves in a rabbit hole where it becomes difficult to succeed, facing barriers and challenges to overcome, with little understanding from the adult world....
read moreCelebrating Father’s Day!
Dads and role models come in different shapes, sorts and sizes. Here at the United Way we know the importance of role models and especially dads within our communities. This Father’s Day, grab that special someone in your life and join the United Way of Broome County...
read moreWe Are Nearing the Finish Line!
It’s crunch time at the United Way. United Way of Broome County is in the final weeks of the Annual Community Campaign and we are calling on the community to help. We are calling on you for one last push to help us have a positive impact on our community. With your...
read moreThe Eat Well. Play Hard. Binghamton! Project at the Lee Barta Community Center
As the warmer months are upon us, the Eat Well. Play Hard. Binghamton! project is gearing up for summer food and summer fun. It’s time to put the electronics away and enjoy moving more through physical activities, gardening initiatives, and all sorts of play at the...
read more2019 Day of Action Book Drive
When school lets out for summer, students are excited for their break from school but do not realize the damage that can happen to their learning. For students, the damage done over the summer months can mean using valuable time in the next grade re-teaching all that...
read morePartner Spotlight: The Deposit Foundation
In the eastern rural area of Broome County lays a small, quaint town known as Deposit. People here are rooted deep in family tradition, have friendly relationships with nearly everyone in town, and enjoy the peace and quiet environment that comes with residing in a...
read moreTen Simple Ways to Help Our Community Through Your Workplace
Raising money for a good cause at your workplace not only helps your business make a difference in your community, it can give your staff a morale boost and build camaraderie among colleagues. But it can be overwhelming to decide what kind of fundraiser is right for...
read moreCommunity Partner Spotlight: Rural Health Network of South Central New York is improving lives, one ride at a time
Imagine not knowing how you were going to get to work. Imagine you need to see a doctor but don’t have any method to arrive to your appointment. Many people go about their day without thinking twice how they get from point A to point B. Yet, this is not the case for...
read moreUnited Way of Broome County, Broome County Department of Social Services, and the Family Enrichment Network Turn Tax Season into over $3,250,000 of Economic Impact in Broome County
Each year, millions of tax returns are filed by hard-working taxpayers across the country. While this is a simple task for some, it can be costly—and sometimes daunting—for lower-income households. The good news is that there’s help for any household with an annual...
read moreWhy it Pays to Volunteer
What gets you out of bed in the morning? For some people, it’s the career they’ve dedicated their lives to. For others, it’s raising kids and building a family. Whether it be work, hobbies or spending time with family and friends, we all want to fill our lives with...
read moreOpen Letter: FreshCycles and What We Do
Hi! My name is Shams Harper, and I am the FreshCycles Program Coordinator. FreshCycles, a program of the United Way of Broome County, is a Community Bike Shop located on Binghamton’s North side, in the basement of the Lee Barta Community Center. You may find me...
read moreCommunity Café Conversations and what they mean to you.
WE’RE LISTENING. Over the past few months, United Way of Broome County has been hosting a series of Community Café Conversations throughout our community. As an interactive conversation, we have been bringing together community members to discuss their aspirations for...
read moreCommunity Partner Spotlight: Clyde Van Dyke and Cornell Cooperative Extension
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSYi0jvzKqo&feature=youtu.be Have you ever heard of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Broome County or the programs and services that they provide? Does Taste NY, Farmers Market, Nutrition Education, or 4-H Youth Development...
read moreWhat’s Up with Americans and Volunteering?
In Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, written in 1840, he shares “the health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.” AKA volunteerism, people. Fast forward to the release of the 2018 Volunteering...
read moreMaking a Difference in the Workplace and the Community
You can make a difference in Broome County. Looking for a way to make your community a better place without having to wander too far from your workspace? Volunteer to be your company’s United Way of Broome County champion! The adage “I gave at the office” still rings...
read moreCommunity Partner Spotlight – Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Twin Tiers Guides Adolescences to a Fulfilling Life
Before being matched with her “Big”, Jasmine* was a very quiet teenager and kept everything to herself. She would not look anyone in the eyes and had difficulty speaking with people she did not know. Struggling with some aspects of life, the idea of a mentor was...
read moreThe Impact of a Donation
United Way of Broome County began as the Binghamton United Relief Organization, which formed to coordinate fundraising activities among local health and human service organizations. Now, more than 100 years later, the organization continues to rely on the kindness and...
read moreAnti-Poverty Work and the Binghamton-Broome Anti-Poverty Initiative
Did you know United Way of Broome County works to reduce poverty in our community?The Binghamton-Broome Anti-Poverty Initiative (BBAPI) is a community-driven effort to break the cycle of poverty in Broome County. Aligning with the 12th Proposal of Governor...
read more2-1-1: We Answer the Call
Crisis doesn’t adhere to a convenient schedule. That’s why our 2-1-1 helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to help people in need access local resources like food, shelter, utility assistance and more. Let’s start with Susan, a recent...
read moreTax Preparation with United Way of Broome County
Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” and tax season is in full swing! For some of us, filing our taxes is just one more thing to check off our to-do list. But for others, a maximum refund can be a...
read moreCommunity Partner Spotlight- Helping Celebrate Abilities (HCA)
https://youtu.be/C7cUvW_kX0c United Way of Broome County staff recently sat down with Renee and Joshua Brazeal. Their son, Tyler, receives Occupational and Speech therapy at the local non-profit Helping Celebrate Abilities, better known as HCA. During his two years at...
read moreCelebrating with Service on MLK Day
Monday, January 15, will be the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s 90th birthday. In his honor, volunteers across the community will roll up their sleeves to be of service by actively transforming Dr. King’s teachings of love and unity into actions that help...
read moreWhat is the United Way story?
Have you ever wondered what United Way is? You may have heard of United Way, but do you know what we do? As a network, United Way is one of the largest non-profits in the world. United Way Worldwide (UWW), is the overarching organization lead. Then there are the local...
read moreBest of 2018: Reflecting on our Community’s Story
What a busy year…or rather 100 years! We had the pleasure of experiencing so many exciting opportunities and new milestones in 2018, which helped create positive change in our community. This past year, United Way of Broome County celebrated its centennial...
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