News

United Way of the Southern Tier annual dinner celebrates community

May 1, 2024:

United Way of the Southern Tier celebrated the best in our community at its annual dinner, held Wednesday, May 1, at the Corning Museum of Glass.

Christine Sharkey, who recently retired from her role as Community Engagement & Corning Enterprises president, was honored 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 presented its Give, Advocate, and Volunteer awards to the following:

  • GIVE: Martin J. Curran has been a generous supporter of United Way of the Southern Tier with his time, talent and treasure. As Corning Incorporated’s Executive Vice President & Innovation Officer, he has championed United Way’s annual workplace giving campaign, sharing the importance of supporting our community. Curran is immediate past chair of United Way of the Southern Tier’s board of directors and currently serves on the executive committee.

  • ADVOCATE: Eaton Corporation’s Horseheads facility was honored for lifting up United Way of the Southern Tier priorities, including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and, in doing so, improving the lives of children, senior citizens, and people in need in Chemung and Steuben counties.

  • VOLUNTEER: Tour de Keuka Planning Committee, which includes John Anthony, Gina Behil, Josh Bezio, Katie Cervoni, Kristine Dale, Anis Fadul, Paul Huber, Blaine Mays, Doug Mugglin, Randy Rhoads and Robert Stanton, was honored for their year-round volunteerism. This team is key to the success of the Tour de Keuka bike ride fundraiser for United Way. Proceeds from the event support local programs for children, seniors and people in need. This year’s ride takes place on Saturday, August 3.

United Way is grateful to our 2024 dinner sponsors: Siemens Energy, The Hilliard Corporation, Corning Incorporated Emerging Innovations Group, Kennedy Valve, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Socha Financial Group, IBEW Local 139, Angela and Tymon Daniels, Hale Roofing Inc., John G. Ullman & Associates, First Heritage Federal Credit Union, and MMB + CO.


For more information, please contact United Way Director of Communications and Community Engagement Lois Wilson by email or at 607-377-5834.