The Power of Community: Celebrating a Season of Impact Across the North Country

This morning, we had the pleasure of bringing together campaign coordinators for a wrap up breakfast to celebrate jobs well done and the impact we all help to create across the North Country. Our group met at the beautifully renovated venue known as The Strand, a historic spot in downtown Watertown, and enjoyed delicious breakfast treats from Embellished Catering.

We are so grateful to all of the campaign coordinators who not only put on great workplace campaigns to support programs across the region, but also for joining us this morning and for the energy, enthusiasm, and heart they bring to the campaign year after year.

It was incredibly uplifting to spend the morning celebrating and reflecting on what we can accomplish when a community comes together for the common good. Because of the hard work of these coordinators and the generosity of employees across the North Country, thousands of local individuals and families will have greater access to the support and opportunities they need to thrive – more than 37,000 North Country residents to be exact!

We are deeply grateful for each and every workplace campaign coordinator. Coordinating a campaign is no small task, and the time and care they pour into this work truly makes a difference. We also want to take a moment to thank the many generous donors to workplace campaigns across the North Country for their support. We truly couldn’t do what we do without you!

Special thanks to our sponsors: Massey’s Furniture Barn, Watertown Savings Bank and OneDigital for helping to make this event possible!

Huge thanks to the businesses and organizations that donated campaign prizes this year!
Prize winners for the 2025-2026 campaign season are as follows:

• Jaira Jenkins of CHJC – Swan Bay Resort getaway, along with a basket of swag
• Tara Ward of NBT Bank – Two-night stay in Sackets Harbor at either the Harbor House Inn or Marina Inn & Suites
• Pamela Wills of NCLS – St. Lawrence County Farmer’s Market gift basket from our friends at GardenShare
• Catherine Holbrook of The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter – Tug Hill Estate gift basket filled with goodies
• Kyle Shannon of the Volunteer Transportation Center – Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share from Miracles by the Acre
• Amber McAllister of Lewis County Opportunities – Spa package from the Lighthouse in Theresa
• Amber Jackson of Victim’s Assistance Center – Ashley living room package from Massey’s Furniture Barn

We were also honored to recognize some outstanding campaigns and individuals with awards:

• SeaComm: Community Investment Award for demonstrating exceptional commitment through a thoughtful and strategic workplace campaign that spans across Northern New York and beyond
• New York Air Brake: Engineered for Impact Award for engaging employees in meaningful ways, and strengthening the community through thoughtful action
• Watertown Savings Bank: Legacy of Giving Award for longstanding leadership and generosity, setting the standard for workplace campaigns and strengthening the community through enduring support
• Jefferson Community College: Dean’s List Award for outstanding leadership and partnership, setting a high standard for excellence, and advancing community well being
  
• Andrea Roden of Samaritan Medical Center: HEART of the Campaign Award for exceptional leadership as Campaign Chair, bringing energy, commitment, and HEART to the campaign
• Amy Quonce of Victim’s Assistance Center: Compassion in Action Award for stepping forward to lead with compassion and purpose, bringing renewed energy to the workplace campaign
• Zoel Powers of Disabled Persons’ Action Organization: Spark the Way Award for creativity and enthusiasm in revitalizing the workplace campaign and inspiring others to get involved

We even drew for some awesome door prizes this morning, with Kelly Flanagan-Hall from Pivot Employee Assistance Program walking away with signed books from NYT bestselling author Ellen Marie Wiseman, Lindsay Gibbens from THRIVE Wellness and Recovery winning an individual sound bath session, Luanne VanBrocklin from VTC winning a group sound bath from Wildroots, and Jefferson County Administrator Ryan Piche getting a coveted pair of tickets to our upcoming Kentucky Derby Social!

Congratulations on an outstanding campaign season, and thank you for helping show, once again, that when we come together in service to others, LIVE UNITED is more than a motto… it’s how change happens!

More photos and a video with this year’s prize winners can be found on our Facebook page