FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS,   we have brought the community together to collectively solve our greatest challenges. Today we continue that work. We have extraordinary partners and systems in place that allow us to be nimble and effective in response to the impact COVID-19 is having on our community. 
“We came together to deal with the loss of a season that was just getting started and realized that their disappointment paled in comparison to the hardships that individuals everywhere are facing as a result of the pandemic,” Gabby Gabel.

When three members of the Cornell Women's Rowing team and Class of ’22 Gabby Gabel, Mary Kate Henderson, and Annie Bryson—found their spring season cancelled due to COVID-19 and themselves struggling to find the motivation to continue training, they came together to find a solution.

The teammates knew that they needed to “push back against COVID-19” and the control it was having over the lives of others and their own. As a result, the threesome has launched a virtual 10K fundraising event they dubbed “Active Against COVID-19” with the goal of raising $10,000 for COVID-19 relief efforts in Tompkins County through the United Way. And they are inviting others to join them.
In March, the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County's main facility was closed due to state mandate , leaving many individuals and families without the much needed support they once had. “Throughout Ithaca and Tompkins County, countless people know and depend on the Y, and we are doing everything we can to continue to address community needs,” said Gregg Houck, Director of Membership at the YMCA.

On May 4th, it was announced that UWTC and the Community Foundation of Tompkins County were going to support the Y in their efforts by coming together to jointly fund the agency's remote initiatives.

This grant allows the Y to focus on services that can meet those needs remotely or with limited direct contact. Services provided include a new partnership with Friendship Donations Network (FDN) to serve as a neighborhood food hub, phone-based welfare checks on area seniors done by YMCA staff members, the launch of online virtual workout classes along with resources for health, wellness, and youth development to be shared on the Y’s website and social media channels, as well as the maintenance of the YMCA Outdoor Education Center.
Since Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "New York State on PAUSE" Executive Order went into effect on March 20th, UWTC has been strengthening the impact of our local human services agencies by connecting them to one another.
Partnering with Food Bank of the Southern Tier and Friendship Donations Network, Gadabout drivers have delivered boxes of food to community members throughout the county. B&B Flooring has also joined in to help with food distribution. On Tuesday May 12, they will be delivering 100 boxes of produce for Cornell Cooperative Extension's Healthy Food for All Program . UWTC staff have been taking requests an organizing delivery information for these partner agencies. If you or someone you know is in need of emergency food delivery, please visit our website and fill out our request form.

Gadabout has also been partnering with the Child Development Council to provide deliveries of baby essentials to families without transportation.
" As this pandemic began, UWTC staff and volunteers quickly responded to the needs of the community. Fundraising needs to continue in order to respond to future needs as they develop- it is not about us, but about the nonprofits we fund and the community members they serve."
- Cal Walker, UWTC Campaign Chair
TOGETHER, our community has already provided emergency relief throughout the first phase of this crisis. Together, we have made sure that 8,750 emergency meals were provided to seniors , that mobile food pantries were operational , that diapers and baby formula were accessible to the most vulnerable families, and that essential workers had child care assistance for their school aged children. And  TOGETHER WE WILL DO EVEN MORE  as we begin to move from emergency relief to social and economic recovery.
Springing into Action
Ithaca Soda Co. will donate $0.50 to UWTC for every 4 pack of Ithaca Ginger Beer & Ithaca Root Beer sold at the Ithaca Wegmans during the month of May. Treat yourself and help provide services for your neighbors!