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Westchester County, N.Y. (June 22, 2012) - United Way of Westchester and Putnam recently launched its 50th anniversary with a special celebration at TD Bank's branch on Central Avenue in White Plains. The evening marked the start of a series of upcoming events in honor of the organization's milestone with a call to action for local communities to get involved. Local political leaders, 50th anniversary committee members, and United Way staff were in attendance.
For 50 years, United Way of Westchester and Putnam has served as an agent for positive change, convening the people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise, and resources to get things done. The organization mobilizes communities to make a difference in people's lives with a focus on education, income, and health.
"We are celebrating thousands of United Way volunteers, donors, and advocates who have worked hard over the last 50 years to make Westchester and Putnam a better place to live and work today," said Naomi Adler, president and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam. "Now is the time to honor our past, celebrate the present, and build our future."
Anniversary event highlights include:
- Mid-Summer Tweet-up for Health (Follow @UnitedWayWP)
- Online auction through August and September
- 50th Anniversary Top Chefs Celebration and Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 with keynote speaker Gary E. Knell, president and CEO of NPR
- Community Conversations October 2012-June 2013
United Way of Westchester and Putnam will also introduce a variety of initiatives for local communities to support through giving, advocating, or volunteering, each centered around one of the organization's three focus areas - education, income (financial stability) and health.
The 50th anniversary Pledge for Health begins this summer and will bring hundreds of people together to help decrease childhood obesity rates and help teens avoid making risky health choices, such as drugs and alcohol use. Pledges for education and income will follow in the fall.
"We have invested almost half a billion dollars in successful programs with real results right here in Westchester and Putnam," Adler explained. "United Way's supporters help children graduate, guide families toward financial stability, and create opportunities for people to live healthy, vibrant lives."
The 50th anniversary marks the start of United Way's next Community Conversations. Surveys will be conducted from October 2012 through June 2013 which will rally the community's involvement in prioritizing emerging issues that United Way will support over the next three years.
Partnership opportunities for the 50th anniversary are available at a variety of giving levels and can be individually tailored to meet a company's needs. A limited number of partners will have opportunities to align their company with one of the education, income, or health initiatives through to June 2013. Curren 50th anniversary partners include:
Champion Partners: Entergy, Swiss RE, 103.9 WFAS, and 1230 WFAS
Patron Partners: Webster Bank and M&T Bank
Supporting Partners: Fordham University RETC - Center for Professional Development; Jill Singer Graphics; JPMorgan Chase; Marcus, Gould & Sussman, LLP; and TD Bank
Sustaining Partners: AT&T; Education First International Academy; Co-Communications; Goldkap Consulting, Inc; Kensico Cemetary; People's United Bank; Proftech Office Solutions; Rey Insurance Agency; The College of Westchester; and Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body AFL-CIO
A commemorative 50th anniversary journal will run as a supplement in the Westchester County Business Journal's September 17, 2012 Economic Development issue. Read by over 50,000 business leaders, this special insert will highlight United Way of Westchester and Putnam's history and business philanthropy news.
To support United Way of Westchester and Putnam by partnering with the organization for a year-plus worth of advertising, PR and marketing benefits, or to take a journal ad, contact Liz Garger at 914-997-6700 x725 or lgarger@uwwp.org.
For more information on United Way of Westchester and Putnam's 50th anniversary event activities, including partnership opportunities, visit www.uwwp.org.
About United Way of Westchester and Putnam
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012, United Way of Westchester and Putnam operates with the fundamental belief that all people deserve a quality education, enough income to support a family, and opportunities for a healthy lifestyle. The not-for-profit organization works with agency partners, government, businesses and community leaders to solve problems that are too complex for any one entity alone. All contributions go toward improving the education, income, and health of the children, youth and families throughout Westchester and Putnam as well as Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties, answers up to 500 calls and 1,000 online inquiries per day ranging from tax, heating, and mortgage questions to childcare, basic needs, natural disaster and crisis calls. United Way of Westchester and Putnam is located at 336 Central Park Ave., White Plains, NY 10606. They can be reached at 914-997-6700 or by visiting www.uwwp.org. Follow United Way on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UnitedWayWP) and Twitter (@UnitedWayWP) for the latest news and updates.
Press Contacts:
Shannon Cobb
United Way of Westchester and Putnam
914-997-6700 x720
Barbara Wollenberg
Co-Communications
914-666-0066
