SIDNEYA successful fund raising campaign for Sidney United Way highlighted the end of the year report at the organization's annual meeting Feb. 6. Executive Director Dennis Porter announced that $96,577 was raised during the 2015 campaign year.

The Sidney United Way was able to surpass our goal due to the hard work of many volunteers who helped run the various In-House Drives, especially those at Amphenol and ACCO Corporations," said Porter. "We also recognize our own board of directors for their commitment, and especially Dave Reynolds and Mary Frances Perricone, our campaign co-chairs"

At the annual meeting, checks totaling over $34,000 were given out to the focus areas that were represented at the meeting. Each agency representative gave a report on their agency's operations and highlighted their achievements. They also explained the IMPACT that their organization has on the local community.

Agencies in attendance included the Sidney Boys and Girls Club, American Red Cross - Mohawk Valley Chapter, Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, Cullman Child Development Center, Delaware Valley Humane Society, Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, Literacy Volunteers, Masonville Emergency Squad, Sidney Emergency Squad, Sidney Center Emergency Squad, Cub Scout Pack 88, SAYAP, Sidney Recreation Commission, Catholic Charities of Otsego & Delaware Counties and the Sidney Historical Society

In 2015 the Sidney United Way Board of Directors completed the organization's self-assessment required by United Way Worldwide. This assessment is required to be done every three years and helps the organization to evaluate their policies and procedures. Porter said that in 2016 a number of the policies will be reviewed. Impact Areas where Sidney United Way focuses their financial commitments include: Quality of Life, Hunger, Youth Development, Literacy & Education, Disaster Services and Emergency Preparedness.

"These impact areas are catching on with the majority of the agencies that we fund and during their reports the agencies highlighted the impact that they have made in one or more of the impact areas that they are engaged in," said Porter. " Many of the agencies reported that hunger and basic needs seem to be more prevalent in our community."

Porter said the Sidney United Way has budgeted over $30,000 in competitive grants to be awarded in 2016 to help address needs related to the focus areas identified by the Sidney United Way. "We are relying on the local 501-C3 agencies to apply for funding that will make IMPACT on one or more of these focus areas this year."

In 2016 the Sidney United Way has made a special commitment to help the new Sidney Emergency Squad purchase a new Heart Monitor for their ambulance to replace an outdated one.

This donation will be our largest financial commitment the Sidney United Way has ever made," said Porter. "We have agreed to fund the lease/ purchase of this heart monitor. Additional information on how the public can help with this project will be provided in future articles in the Tri- Town News." Porter said they will continue to educate the tri-town area on the use of 2-1-1 to get information or recourses that are available to solve needs within our community and provide funds to focus area initiatives.

In 2016, the Sidney United Way will be under the leadership of Dave Reynolds, president; John Redente, vice president; Carol Allen, recording secretary; Debra Philpott, treasurer; and Dennis Porter, executive director. New directors added in 2015 include Samantha Cole, Corbin Curley, Lori Roach, Rene Webb and Dave VanValkenburg.

Porter emphasizes that the Sidney United Way is here to make the Sidney area a better place to live by working with local non-prohibits to provide the funds to address the focus area that they represent. "Please use our website: office@sidneyunitedway.org or write to us at Sidney United Way, P.O. Box 14, Sidney, N.Y. 13838 to help fund initiatives provided by us or to inform us of agencies that we might support to improve the lives of our friends and neighbors."