News

March 23, 2023:

United Way of the Southern Tier will celebrate local individuals and businesses at its annual dinner on May 4 at the Corning Museum of Glass.

Richard Rahill, a longtime Corning Incorporated employee and former president of Corning Enterprises, who passed away in 2020, will be honored posthumously with the James B. Flaws Lasting Legacy Award.

The award is presented for demonstration of the full embodiment of United Way’s call to action through Giving, Advocating and Volunteerism, and further recognizes those who demonstrate vision, courage and commitment to leading community-level change.

Also at the dinner, United Way will present its Give, Advocate, and Volunteer Awards to four individuals and three businesses. The 2023 award winners are:

• GIVE: Jan & Clare van den Blink and Kennedy Valve
  * Jan & Clare van den Blink of Elmira are a husband and wife team who demonstrate their support of United Way with philanthropy and good will. Jan is Chairman and CEO at The Hilliard Corporation in Elmira. Clare is Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer at Hilliard, and also serves on the boards of Elmira College, Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, and The Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.
  * Kennedy Valve, a 135-year-old Elmira manufacturing leader, has distinguished itself with its generosity to United Way and a shared commitment to improve the lives of children, senior citizens and people in need in our community.

• ADVOCATE: Graciela Trillanes and Wegmans
  * Graciela Trillanes of Arkport rallied her colleagues at Alstom to focus on community needs in support of United Way, leading a fundraising campaign that continues to grow.
  * Wegmans is a remarkable community partner that continuously lifts up the mission of United Way at its stores throughout the region.

• VOLUNTEER: Katie Cervoni and First Heritage Federal Credit Union 
  * Katie Cervoni of Corning brings an amazing energy and unparalleled work ethic to United Way, where she now serves on the Board of Directors. She is a tireless volunteer for United Way and across our community.
  * First Heritage Federal Credit Union employees go above and beyond with every United Way volunteer opportunity presented, bringing joy year-round to seniors, children, and people in need in Chemung and Steuben counties.

Tickets for the dinner are available online until April 20 or sold out.

United Way is grateful to our dinner sponsors, including: The Hilliard Corporation, Corning Incorporated, Socha Financial Group, Siemens Energy, Chemung Canal Trust Company, UnitedHealthcare, IBEW Local 139, and Mengel Metzger Barr & Co. LLP.

For more information, please contact United Way of the Southern Tier Communications Manager Lois Wilson at 607-377-5834.