Thanks to All Who Contributed!
United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area has wrapped up its 8th annual Back-to-School Supply Drive. Throughout July and August, residents in Herkimer and Oneida counties donated school supplies. Thank you to the many amazing supporters who generously gave school supplies, backpacks, and donations to help our community’s youth in need return to school prepared to learn.
A special thank you to Berkshire Bank who made the back to school season more successful for youth in our area by sponsoring this year’s supply drive.
“Understanding children’s needs for proper education and support is important to our Berkshire Bank Family. Children starting school with the right supplies enable them to be prepared and ready to learn. Berkshire Bank has been a proud supporter of the United Way Back-to-School Supply Drive for the last three years and has assisted in providing kits and support for this great cause,” said Matthew Nicholl, Vice President Berkshire Bank.
More than 10,700 items adding up to over $11,286 in value was collected. In addition to supplies, $1,500 in monetary donations was raised which will help local students get ready to learn. All donations will remain in the Mohawk Valley, Greater Utica, and Rome areas.
The success of this year’s supply drive was also made possible thanks to businesses and organizations which held workplace supply drives including AIS, Assist2Sell, Bank of Utica, Casa Imports, Cathedral Corporation, Clifford Fuel, CNY Labor Council, CONMED, Coventya, CWA Local 1126, Fitzgerald DiPietro and Wojnas, Herkimer College, Hospice & Palliative Care, Human Technologies, McQuade & Bannigan, MVP Health Care, O’brien Gere & Associates, PAR Tech, PJ Green, R.B. Humphreys, Tri-Valley Beverage, UAW Local 2367, Utica First, as well as by partner Max L. Cowen's Student Stores who created and hosted United Way’s supply kit online store.
School supplies were given to local schools and community partners to distribute directly to local families in need with school aged children.