CORNING, NY, March 10, 2009 – United Way of the Southern Tier announced Tuesday it reached a record-setting $4.51 million campaign total during its Annual Awards Breakfast, held at The Radisson Hotel Corning.

“The Community Campaign is a demonstration of what Chemung and Steuben County residents can accomplish when we all work together,” said Dan Bower, president of Hunt Engineers, Architects & Land Surveyors and board chair for United Way of the Southern Tier.  “This would not be possible without the generosity of the business community, our friends in labor and the residents of the Southern Tier.”

 “I am proud of what we were able to accomplish this year," said Ron Hatch, United Way president. "As local people face the hardships of a declining economy, we know our investment in the community will help to make lasting changes and improve the lives of people here in the Southern Tier.”

The non-profit organization raised $4.4 million in its 2007 Community Campaign.

Money raised in the campaign will be invested in programs doing the best job of helping local people improve their lives.  A handful of material requests are still out within the community and could boost United Way's 2009/2010 investments.

United Way of the Southern Tier’s annual campaign is made possible through numerous volunteers and led by four division chairs.  The 2008 Campaign leadership team included; Western Steuben (Hornell) by Jim Bicker, Central Steuben (Bath/Hammondsport) by Andy Mazella, Eastern Steuben (Corning) by Dr. H. Richard Dozier and Ron Allison in Chemung County. 

“Once again, our staff and volunteers came through in record-setting fashion,” said Steven Hughes, vice president of Resource Development.  "It is important for us to take time to thank hundreds of organizations and thousands of donors who make this success possible, but it is also a time to reflect on the importance of our work to improve lives."

A complete list of all award winners can be found on the UWST website at www.uwst.org

United Way of the Southern Tier is still taking donations which can be made online at www.uwst.org, or should be mailed to United Way of the Southern Tier, 300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza – Suite 220, Corning, NY 14830. 

About the United Way of the Southern Tier

United Way of the Southern Tier is a locally managed non-profit organization focused on effectively mobilizing the caring power of our community to help people improve their lives.  United Way of the Southern Tier is the largest non-governmental provider of funding for health and human services in Chemung and Steuben Counties.