Provided

From left, Dominick Recckio and Moriah Petty, from Ithaca College Student United Way, and Sam Coleman '15, Cornell Student United Way.

Student United Way of Cornell University received national recognition for its service to the Tompkins County community at the United Way Worldwide Community Leaders Conference, May 15 in National Harbor, Maryland.

Led by Christina Roberti ’14 and Sam Coleman ’15, Cornell Student United Way received the GIVE Promising Practice Award for raising $28,000 through special events to support the Stephen E. Garner Summers of Service internship/job program. This teen employment initiative provides area youth with paid summer internships of $1,500 at United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) partner organizations and gives them the opportunity to gain leadership skills, and learn about civic engagement and health and human services in Tompkins County. During summer 2013, six rising high school seniors were hired at six UWTC agencies.

 “We are very proud of the work of our Cornell students,” said KyuJung Whang, 2013-14 Cornell United Way Campaign chair. “We reached our goal of $815,000 in part because of the students’ efforts at the Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring, women’s hockey games, Dump and Run, and the Duff Ball, which this year sold out within minutes. Christina and Sam have been wonderful leaders, and their enthusiasm truly made the difference.”

In 2011, Cornell’s Student United Way group received the first-ever United Way Worldwide Student United Way Campus Organization of the Year award, and in 2012 the students received the LIVE UNITED in Action: Income Award.

This year, Tompkins County was the only community with two winning campus organizations: Ithaca College Student United Way received the Education Promising Practice Award for its role in launching the UWTC Youth Venture program, where high school students create social change by developing sustainable, community-benefiting ventures.

“These awards speak volumes about the engagement, caring and capacity of Cornell and Ithaca College students,” said James Brown, UWTC president and CEO. “UWTC is honored to partner with the students on this important work that is strengthening our area today and for years to come.”

More than 80 campuses in four countries have Student United Way organizations. Student leaders advance the common good by giving, advocating and volunteering to improve the education, income and health of their community.