By Lauren Garabedian
United Way of Greater Niagara President and CEO Connie Brown announced the organization's annual goal on Wednesday. The United Way of Greater Niagara hopes to raise $1,150,000 this year, which represents a 5 percent increase of what UWGN raised last year.
The campaign will officially kickoff on "Make A Difference Day," Sept. 13, and will end Nov. 30.
Brown said the United Way of Greater Niagara is looking forward to achieving maximum success from its 2017 workplace campaign by bringing together a powerful group of business, manufacturing, law enforcement, banking and labor representatives who will support the organization's efforts in the Niagara community.
Brown warmly welcomed press conference attendees as she introduced William Jakobi, AFL/CIO labor liaison and campaign coordinator.
"The campaign goes a long way to fund 25 agencies that provide 42 different programs through Greater Niagara," Jakobi said.
The co-chairs for this year's campaign are William Tiger, plant manager of GMCH Lockport operations; and Jim Briggs, subdirector of United Steel Workers, and president of Niagara/Orleans Labor Council.
"I became involved with United Way right of college about 40 years ago. Over those years, I've been to three different states, two different countries, and five different plants," Tiger said. "Through all of that, you mostly see the need in the community, and you also see that United Way is there. So, it's really a neighbor helping neighbor, where your money stays local and is used by people who understand how hard you work for your money and are determined to put every dollar to good use."
This year, the United Way will partner up with Marcus Latham from Niagara Falls Local Teachers 801, Lucy Muto from M&T Bank, Russell Quarentello from IBEW Local 237, Nicholas Roseberg from Hypertherm, Dana Zuber from Plato's Closet and Clothes Mentor, and Capt. Gregory Schuey from Niagara County Sheriff's Office.
"When it comes to United Way and the people in need in our community, there isn't an 'us or them' ... there is only a 'we,' " Briggs said. "I am honored to be a co-chair for this campaign, because United Way of Greater Niagara will help people who need help in our community. I've personally seen how United Way works when my people from the different unions fall on hard times and United Way and their agencies are always there to help."
