Oneida County Donates 2,000 Books & Raises Over $16,000 for Local Charities

2021 Holiday Fundraising Campaign Benefits United Way, Salvation Army, Senior Centers & Children’s Organizations

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that the county’s 2021 Holiday Fundraising Campaign resulted in 2,000 books being donated to senior centers and children’s organizations and more than $16,000 being raised for the United Way and Salvation Army.

“The compassion and generosity demonstrated by our county employees never ceases to amaze me, especially during the holiday season,” Picente said. “This past December, with the help of the public, we collected 2,000 books that are being distributed to organizations that support our seniors and children. These books will bring the gift of reading to those who often do not have the access or means. Our employees also donated more than $16,000 to the United Way and the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, which will further enrich the lives of our residents in need.”

With collection points at county facilities in Utica, Rome, Oriskany, Barneveld and Taberg, the county’s Holiday Book Drive saw a robust response from both its employees and the public and resulted in 2,000 books being distributed to the following organizations:

• Parkway Center (Utica & Verona)
• North Utica Senior Citizens Community Center (Utica)
• South Rome Senior Center (Rome)
• Ava Dorfman Senior Center-Copper City Community Connection (Rome)
• Thea Bowman House (Utica)
• The House of the Good Shepard (Utica)
• Connected Community Schools (Rome)

Through payroll deductions, donations and an annual basket raffle held at the County Office Building each December, county employees raised $15,016 in 2021 for the United Way. They also raised $1,815 for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign through money donated for holiday dress down days.