CHENANGO COUNTY — The Chenango United Way and the United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties are pleased to announce that after nearly two and a half years of working together, the two organizations have officially combined as of January 1, 2023.

The newly-formed three-county United Way organization will continue to champion the unique identities and needs of each of the counties it serves with campaign dollars being raised and allocated in separate Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego County regions.

“Keeping dollars local is what United Way is all about,” said Jennifer Telesky, United Way Board Chair and Senior Vice President, and Southern Tier Regional Commercial Banking Manager at NBT Bank. “This was a key concept in the discussions held by our joint task force, and we believe this model will best serve individuals and families in our rural communities.”

“Coming together in this way will provide us with efficiencies that can be invested in programs to better serve people in need, the opportunity to boost fundraising revenue across the region, and the ability to strengthen community outcomes with enhanced accountability and transparency for our donors," said Elizabeth Monaco, United Way Executive Director. “I’m excited to see where the future leads us now that we are officially one combined United Way!”

As of January 1, the new name for the combined United Way became the United Way of Mid Rural New York, Inc.

“We wanted our new name to represent our focus on the rural nature of our donors, and the programs and the needs we are striving to serve here. Rural communities have unique challenges related to issues of transportation, homelessness, and child care, and we want to be sure we are addressing them differently than a more urban community would. Our new name is just one way we are reflecting that intent and focus,” said Monaco.

In July 2022, the Chenango United Way also affiliated with the United Way of Madison County. It is expected that this merger process will finalize in April 2023. When this occurs, Madison County will combine under the United Way of Mid Rural New York.

For more information, you may contact the United Way of Mid Rural New York at 607-334-8815 or at 607-244-3716.

-Information provided by United Way