The Tioga United Way held its annual meeting and awards dinner at Pheasant Hill Country Club on April 27. The annual event brought together board members, partner agencies and major donors.<\/p>\n
Executive Director Carolyn Palladino, and Board President Dorothy \u201cDot\u201d Richter distributed several \u201cCampaign Corporate Awards\u201d and also extended recognition to recipients for the \u201cCommunity Recognition Awards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Partner agency representatives were given the opportunity to share stories and thank the United Way for supporting the needs of their organizations within the community.<\/p>\n
A number of partner agency representatives spoke at the event, including Kristin Barton of the non-profit Family Reading Partnership OA (Owego-Apalachin), which focuses efforts on early family literacy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot thank the United Way enough,\u201d Barton said, and explained that one way the organization contributes is by offering children free books at various pick-up locations throughout the community via the Bright Red Book Shop program.<\/p>\n
Corporate Awards were presented to Lockheed Martin, Tioga Downs and employees, Tioga State Bank and employees, IBM employees and retirees, Owego Apalachin Central School District (Teacher\u2019s Union), Tioga County employees, Visions Federal Credit Union, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Guthrie Healthcare Systems, Franziska Racker Center employees, Julie and Ike Lovelass, Best Buy employees, M&T Charitable Foundation, and Kim and Adam Weitsman.<\/p>\n
Community Recognition Awards were given out to Orville Wright for his efforts with the Spelling Bee, Jenn Welch of Tom Ash Insurance Agency, Zach Newswanger of the Owego Elks, and several individuals for their involvement with the event, \u201cDancing United with the Starz.\u201d<\/p>\n
An \u201cExceptional Volunteer\u201d award was given to Ann McManus-Grant for her volunteer efforts, most recently with the Salvation Army. <\/p>\n
McManus commented, \u201cThis is the most giving community. It\u2019s an absolute delight to work with the United Way.\u201d <\/p>\n
At the annual meeting, Dorothy Richter was elected president; Gil Knapp was elected 1st vice president; Sherry Torbert was elected 2nd vice president; and Robert Jenson was elected treasurer. Re-elections to the board were Dave Astorina, Jana Bowen, Leah Hammond and Bob Jensen. Several executive committee individuals were also elected.<\/p>\n
Tioga United Way supports 30 partner agencies in Tioga County.<\/p>\n