Author: Rachel Burt

In a world often overshadowed by self-interest, a young Carthage student stands as a prime example of generosity and compassion. At just 14 years old, Leo Bowline exemplifies the spirit of giving, choosing altruism over personal gain year after year. 

Every year in December, Leo selects an organization to raise funds for instead of receiving birthday presents, though his parents still give him the option. A truly remarkable and thoughtful young man, he still chooses to fundraise rather than receive money and gifts for himself. 

“I just decided that it would be better for me to give back than receive more than I needed,” Leo said.

This year, Leo’s heartwarming gesture was directed toward our ALICE program at United Way of Northern New York. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, representing a group of hardworking individuals who don’t qualify for traditional assistance but still find themselves grappling with the rising costs of living, as well as unexpected expenses due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical emergency or car repair.

According to Leo’s mom Jessie, he had a list of places he could choose to donate to for this year, and ended up choosing the ALICE program, which we oversee, as it stood out to him the most. “It’s really the people who are trying their best but they still don’t get enough, that’s why I chose it,” Leo said. “Life is expensive.”

When we learned about his generosity, we invited Leo and his family to our office for a chat about his fundraising efforts and supporting the ALICE population. Since that visit, we have been more inspired than ever in our efforts to strengthen communities and support those in need.

This is the fifth year that the 8th grader has asked for donations for others, and has raised $1,530 so far for the ALICE program. “It gives money to the people that are trying their best but they’re not there yet,” Leo said. “It makes me feel really good that I’m helping all those people that need it.”

According to Jessie, anything Leo and his younger brother Elliot bring in during their birthday fundraisers, the family matches dollar for dollar, amplifying the impact of the donations. She noted that there’s still an opportunity if anyone wants to donate to the ALICE program, and the Bowline family will match up to an additional $1,000.

Leo’s journey of giving didn’t begin with ALICE; it’s been a tradition in his family for years. “It started when we’d have birthday parties and invite everyone in the classroom,” Jessie said. The family realized that amidst the flurry of gifts, many remained untouched, so they decided to redirect the abundance towards meaningful causes.

Leo’s younger brother, Elliot, shares in his brother’s commitment to community service. Over the years, they’ve supported various initiatives, from the Safe Schools Endeavor to fundraising for Guitars for Vets and Toys for Tots and Elliot’s chosen cause over the past few years: the Tyler R. Christman Foundation. Their collective efforts have left an indelible mark on their local community.

Reflecting on their sons’ altruism, Jessie and her husband Brandon are full of pride. “They recognize that, in general, a lot of us are more fortunate than others and even when we try it’s sometimes not enough, so they’ve always been very eager to give back to others,” Jessie said.

Leo and Elliot embody the essence of generosity, inspiring those around them to give back and make a difference. As they continue to grow and mature, their commitment to serving others remains unwavering, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish in the future with their shared goal of uplifting our local communities!

It is truly an honor to live and work united with such philanthropic young men!

Each year, a quiet yet profound movement takes place, one that connects communities through the simple act of giving. Spearheaded by dedicated individuals with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, this movement revolves around food donations and their transformative impact on local communities.

Headquartered in Alexandria Bay, MaryAnn LaClair-Nelson, an Administrative Assistant 1, helps to orchestrate an annual food drive that embodies the spirit of generosity and community support. The MLK Food Drive, which kicks off every December and extends until early February, is an overall effort to rally park employees to donate food items or monetary contributions in support of United Way of Northern New York.

MaryAnn noted that her office chooses UWNNY because we serve Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties where a majority of their parks are. “We do this to support our local communities,” MaryAnn said. “We know that there’s a lot of people that need a lot of things right now. And if this is a way we can give back, we’re all for that.” 

Over the years, the drive has witnessed a steady increase in contributions, with the collective goal of eventually reaching 1,000 pounds for the 1000 Islands region—an achievement that speaks volumes about the commitment to making a difference. This year, 435 pounds of food, along with some monetary donations, were brought to our office for us to distribute where there is a great need.

“This is one way that we can all easily do something small, but it makes such a big difference,” MaryAnn said.

Meanwhile, at the VEM Food Pantry in Carthage, our chosen recipients of the donations, Jennie Burke, Nancy Rome and the rest of the team are on the front lines of support for local families facing food insecurity. The pantry serves as a lifeline for many, especially amidst rising food costs and economic challenges, so it was a no-brainer for us to deliver to them to aid in their efforts. 

“The people really need it here because food supply is so expensive now when you go to the store,” Nancy said, highlighting the critical role the pantry plays in alleviating financial burdens. “Us being here helps them out a lot, it really does. You see the smiles on some of their faces, they can’t believe what they get.”

With numbers steadily rising as demand increases, the pantry remains steadfast in its mission to provide essential provisions to those in need. From canned goods to meat, bread, pastries, and frozen fruit, each donation contributes to nourishing families and fostering a sense of hope within the community.

The pantry even has free coats they offer to their clients along with hats people make and bring over to them, highlighting the steadfast community support for this local initiative. The pantry is open Mondays and Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm and Wednesdays from 3 to 7 pm, and is aiming to open another day as well. 

Jennie and Nancy noted that Wednesdays are generally their busy days, with one recent night seeing 31 different families visiting the pantry in those four hours, underscoring the importance to the community and great need in the area.

For Jennie, volunteering at the pantry is more than a duty; it’s a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Mike, who dedicated himself to serving others and brought her on board with him about five years ago.

“It’s a good way to honor him while doing something important in the community,” she said. “The need is really great and we’re really making a difference.”

It was truly an honor to connect with both NYS Parks and the Carthage VEM Food Pantry to facilitate this wonderful exchange of donations and support, a prime example of the power of living and working united.

There’s a remarkable initiative taking place at Jefferson/Lewis/Hamilton/Herkimer/Oneida BOCES, spearheaded by Hospitality Services Instructor Margaret Coe. It’s called Meals with a Mission, and it’s more than just a program – it’s a lifeline for students facing food insecurity.

Hospitality students not only learn culinary skills, but also use those skills to prepare meals for their peers in need – and they aren’t just learning recipes, they’re learning the value of compassion and community service at the same time.

The students prepare nutritious meals, freeze them, and then send them home with under-resourced peers. The program is currently serving 17 students, providing them with meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Behind the scenes, we at United Way of Northern New York are proud to sponsor such an amazing program and love to deliver ingredients and supplies as needed.

Whether a family is struggling financially, or a caregiver is unwell, the support is there. Meals with a Mission extends beyond preparing food, it’s also about empowering students. From understanding ingredients to labeling containers, students are actively involved in every step of the process, and the program encourages collaboration across classrooms, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.

Our sponsorship reflects our commitment to addressing pressing issues in our communities, including food insecurity, and supporting initiatives that make a tangible difference. In a region where the need is significant, this partnership provides vital resources and amplifies the program’s impact.

As the program grows, so does its potential to transform lives.

Kids in the Edwards-Knox school district are warmer this winter thanks to the amazing coat giveaway we held in collaboration with Fuccillo Subaru and Operation Warm – huge shoutout to both organizations for being so great and rallying together to make the event a success – and the school district for connecting us with so many great families!

We absolutely loved seeing all the smiling faces as the children found coats, hats and mittens to keep them nice and cozy during the winter, and even books to enjoy at home courtesy of North Country Library System.

This collaborative effort aligned so well with our mission to unite communities, resources, and partners to address local needs, foster impactful programming, and enhance the overall quality of life – and we couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.

When United Way was approached to lead the distribution of coats locally, the Edwards Knox school district emerged as an ideal choice. Recognizing the district’s commitment to its students and the prevalent need within its rural setting, United Way saw an opportunity to make a lasting impact. The district’s community-oriented approach aligns seamlessly with the values of this initiative, making it the perfect distribution site for the event.

In 2024, Subaru and its retailers are visiting local shelters and support agencies to provide more than 150,000 children with brand-new necessities like coats, shoes, and socks. These essential items not only help keep children protected, warm, and dry, they can have a significant impact on a child’s mental and emotional well-being. This initiative is part of the Subaru Love Promise, Subaru’s commitment to improving lives in the communities where its employees live and work.

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that manufactures brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need. Through partnerships with compassionate individuals, community organizations, and corporations across North America, Operation Warm provides emotional warmth, confidence to socialize and succeed, and hope of a brighter future by using the gift as a catalyst for community connection.

This collaborative effort not only provides essential warmth but also exemplifies the positive outcomes that can be achieved when communities, resources, and partners unite for a common cause. United Way remains dedicated to fostering a sense of togetherness, creating lasting change, and improving the well-being of those in need, and we look forward to continued partnerships with both Operation Warm and Fuccillo Subaru!

In our North Country communities, stories of resilience and transformation often emerge from the collaborative efforts of organizations committed to making a difference. The partnership between Lewis County Opportunities, Inc. (LCOI) and United Way of Northern New York exemplifies the power of collective action in empowering individuals and families to overcome their obstacles and thrive.

Recently, Lewis County Opportunities received an inquiry from an individual previously working as a Home Health Aide, whose world was upended when his assigned patient transitioned to a nursing center, leaving him without income. Due to this, he took his car off the road while he waited for another assignment. It never came.

Eventually, this individual turned to LCOI for assistance in getting his vehicle back on the road, essential not only for daily living needs but also for securing new employment opportunities.

However, the path ahead was fraught with challenges. Despite his efforts to secure employment verification, bureaucratic hurdles impeded his progress. The situation seemed bleak until he secured a job offer at Carthage Hospital, only to discover that his CNA certification had expired, rendering him ineligible to start work. Undeterred, he pursued an opportunity with Samaritan Medical Center, which offered CNA classes to regain certification, marking a pivotal moment in his journey toward stability.

Amidst these trials, United Way assistance helped to light the way. With that support, LCOI facilitated rides to job interviews, paving the way for employment opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach. With the groundwork laid by United Way, further assistance was extended to covering the costs of vehicle registration and insurance, removing barriers that threatened to derail this individual’s progress.

Today, that man stands on the cusp of a brighter future. Employed full-time and enrolled in a CNA course, he embodies the resilience and determination that define our community. Through the enduring partnership between Lewis County Opportunities, Inc. and United Way of Northern New York, we focus our collective resolve to uplift and empower every member of our community, one life at a time.

United, we can truly make a difference.