United Way marks 60 years in Orleans County
125 attend Diamond Gala to celebrate organization
Photos by Tom Rivers
RIDGEWAY – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents a citation from the State Assembly in honor of the 60th anniversary of the United Way of Orleans County. He made the presentation on Saturday evening to Nyla Gaylord, executive director of the United Way.
“The mission of the United Way of Orleans County is to provide funding and support for Orleans County charities, civic organizations and the people of the county,” the citation states. “A connector of people, resources and fundraising, the United Way strives to make the county stronger. The United Way uses values of collaboration, responsiveness, service, accountability and aids area of the community such as youth, older adults and vulnerable families.”
The Diamond Gala was held at the Ridgeway fire hall with 125 people attending to support the United Way mission. The buffet dinner was catered by Donna Eick.
Nyla Gaylord, United Way executive director, said the organization is committed to helping raise funding for agencies in the community while also pursuing grants for other important initiatives.
Gaylord said the United Way has secured $2 million in grants towards projects, such as a respite program for caregivers of seniors, a digital literacy and low-cost internet initiative, and a nutrition program through Community Action/Cornell Cooperative Extension. United Way also helped with the basketball court upgrades at Bullard Park in Albion.
The organization also helped establish a “Code Blue Warming Center” at Christ Episcopal Church in Albion, working with other partners, including Oak Orchard Health, which runs the site.
“The United Way is one of the most recognized charities in our county, but not many people know what the United Way does,” Gaylord said. “In Orleans County the United Way raises funds to support local organizations providing needed programs and services to residents of Orleans County.”
The United Way does an annual funding appeal with that money dispersed to Arc GLOW (Camp Rainbow and Meals on Wheels), Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, GO Art!, Medina Senior Center, OK Kitchen, Orleans County YMCA, P.Raising Kids, Hospice of Orleans County, UConnectCare and Scouts.
“Our focus is on Orleans County,” Gaylord said. “All funds raised stay in Orleans County to benefit our neighbors.”
Gaylord said United Way is taking a leadership role in helping community leaders address some of tough issues, including a need for more affordable housing.
“Today, like 60 years ago, we are amid a time of great social change,” Gaylord said. “Our community faces unprecedented challenges – but also limitless new opportunities. Our mission statement says it all: United Way of Orleans County is a connector of people, resources, ideas and founding to make our community stronger.”
The attendees enjoyed a cake and cupcakes for dessert.
Jodi Gaines, president of the United Way board of directors, accepts the microphone from Assemblyman Hawley.
Gaines has been part of the United Way for 25 years. She started when she was at the former Dime Bank in Albion as a campaign captain. She liked how the United Way could take one donation and share it with agencies working on behalf of local residents.
“I can write a check and impacts so many, from babies to the elderly,” she said.
Gaines went on to start CRFS, and has recently returned as its owner and chief executive officer.
She said the United Way has shifted from a focus on an annual appeal to know securing funding from foundations in Rochester and Buffalo to address community challenges. The annual appeal still generates about $50,000 from the community, which is down from about $300,000 during its peak.
Gaines has been active with the local United Way back when there were two chapters in the county, western and eastern Orleans. The two chapters merged into a county-wide organization in 2011.
Both of the chapters originally were a “Community Chest” with local leaders helping to raise funds for agencies in the county.
Gaines said the “pivot” by the United Way to funding from the major foundations in Buffalo and Rochester has given the local United Way a renewed mission.
“We try to find the needs in the county and where we can help,” Gaines said.
Dean Bellack of Medina was asked to stand and be recognized. He served as director for three years and helped change the structure of the organization, bringing in big grants from the Rochester and Buffalo foundations. One of those grants pays the staff for the United Way over five years until the end of 2026.
Mollie Radzinski, the United Way board president, announces winners of the baskets and prizes up for raffle.
Besides Radzinski, the board officers include Jodi Gaines, president; Tim Moriarty, treasurer; and Jennifer Mateo, secretary. Other board members include Dean Bellack, Ginny Kropf, Jerome Pawlak, Don Colquhoun, Ayesha Kreutz and Lynn Vendetti.
Gary Simboli, a retired music teacher at Albion, provided the entertainment, sharing a show he wrote about the importance of positivity. Simboli said the news is dominated by tragedy, crime and natural disasters. He sang several songs with uplifting messages, including “Imagine” by John Lennon, “Firework” by Katy Perry, “Show Me The Way” by Styx, “Hero” by Mariah Carey and several others.
