United Way of Cayuga County 2026 Campaign Launches Next Week
Join us for United Way Week on Classic Hits 99.3 and Taste of United Way
Auburn, New York, August 12, 2026 – The United Way of Cayuga County is launching their annual 2026 Communitywide Fundraising Drive with United Way Week on Classic Hits 99.3 with Lisa Cruz starting Monday, August 17. Followed by the Taste of United Way Kickoff event on Tuesday, August 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Beginning Monday, start your mornings by tuning in at 8:00am with Lisa Cruz and Julisa Stone-Szpaicher, Development & Engagement Manager, as they interview representatives from United Way funded programs and talk about the upcoming Taste of United Way Kickoff event. Classic Hits Radio Interview schedule:
- Monday, August 17: Scott Pecoy, Indera (formerly ARISE-EFR)
- Tuesday, August 18: Sarah Sayles on Book Buddies of Cayuga County
- Wednesday, August 19 : JoLynn Mulholland, Confidential Help for Alcohol & Drugs (CHAD)
- Thursday, August 20: David Ward, Auburn Community Soup Kitchen (Formerly SS Peter & John Episcopal Soup Kitchen)
- Friday, August 21: Dominic Gambiaiani, Auburn Public Theater
The official launch of the 2026 Communitywide Fundraising Drive will take place at the Taste of United Way event on Tuesday, August 25. Join the United Way for this FREE, family friendly evening where participants can experience how programs strengthen our community. Taste of United Way will run from 3:00pm – 6:00pm at the Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn.
Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about the United Way of Cayuga County’s 10 initiatives as well as the 27 Member Agencies receiving Community Impact Grants thanks to past donations. You can learn more about those stations by visiting the United Way’s website or watching their recent Facebook Live.
Taste of United Way will feature a passport program, light snacks and cash bar, several interactive stations, raffles, and much more. Have your passport stamped as you ‘sample’ how your United Way gifts create positive change for your chance to win a $500 Wegmans gift card! Attendees of all ages who visit 75% of the stations will be entered—visit every station for three chances to win!
While this event is FREE and walk-ins are welcome, register your group by Sunday, August 23 to receive a 10% discount to use at The Refinery, courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn. You will also receive one raffle ticket per registered person. Additional raffle tickets can be earned by donating new, unused hygiene items such as dish soap, toothpaste, and laundry detergent.
Register today: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/yaq9ytw/lp/19ba645d-4f40-4359-ac5f-4676321fa128
Mark your calendars, register, and join the United Way for the annual Communitywide Fundraising Drive. Stay up-to-date and be the first to know about each of the interactive stations by following the United Way’s website and Facebook Event page or calling the United Way office at 315.253.9741.
The 2026 Communitywide Fundraising Drive will run from the Taste of United Way until Sunday, November 15. While historically the United Way of Cayuga County Campaign ran from September – March, this timeline shift will allow the United Way to better meet the needs of Cayuga County residents and nonprofits. With the shortened timeline, the community’s support now through November 15 is more important than ever before to ensure local nonprofits have adequate funding for the 2027-28 fiscal year.
The United Way has served Cayuga County for more than a century, and this abbreviated Communitywide Fundraising Drive will position them to better meet the needs of our community and serve for another 100 years. Learn more and support Cayuga County residents at unitedwayofcayugacounty.org.
Press Release written by Julisa J. Stone-Szpaicher, Development & Engagement Manager and submitted to news outlets on Wednesday, August 12, 2026