United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes

09/07/2026

This Labor Day we are paying tribute to the working people who keep our communities going — and to the local labor unions which have for a long-time supported workers and families in Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes.

Everyday union members contribute to strengthening our region by building our neighbourhoods and looking after our families, by educating our children, by producing the goods we depend on, and by furnishing essential services.

We at United Way are proud to work with organized labor as they both strive for stronger workplaces, stronger families, and a stronger community for everyone.

We pay respect to all the generations of workers who have struggled for dignity, fairness and opportunity in the workplace – as well as to those who are carrying on that struggle at the present time.

The Finger Lakes and the United Way of Greater Rochester wish you a Happy Labor Day.

09/04/2026

United Way in action 💙

In our area our team is joining up with schools, businesses and community partners in order to link people with the available resources, strengthen the communities and address people's needs where they exist.

Our staff have been getting out into the community to make connections, for example by providing 50 hygiene kits and 50 snack kits to families at the Cedars of Chili event and by enrolling the PreK students at School 39 in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

We took part in Rochester’s first Literacy Parade in Highland Park, attended the first Workers Assembly of the Rochester conference, and contributed to a full morning of ALICE programming at FLCC, comprising the ALICE Experience and a discussion concerning the support of ALICE students.

They are also arriving as partners. The team from FIFCO has constructed 250 kits for after-school programs, and National Grid has donated 100 backpacks containing school supplies, hygiene kits, water bottles and fidgets for the students of the Batavia City School District.

United is the way. 💙

09/02/2026

Workplace Wednesday: Thompson Health

This week Thompson Health is being featured, having recently begun its United Way campaign with an annual ice cream social at Thompson Hospital.

The event gave employees a chance to have fun while also reminding them of what their support makes possible. The organization Family Promise, which is one of the partners that is funded by United Way, took part in the celebration to explain how its work is assisting families who are experiencing homelessness in Ontario County.

As the largest employer in Ontario County, Thompson Health has shown what effective cooperation between the company, and its employees can look like. In 2025, employees and the organization raised over $100,000 for United Way, and their devotion to this cause goes beyond donations. The company has also participated in ALICE at Work, with employees and executive leadership attending training sessions to better understand the financial difficulties many working households face.

We would like to thank Thompson Health for continuing to invest in its employees, its neighbors, and the community it calls home.

08/26/2026

At United Way LIVE on Friday, September 18, four bands are gearing up to hit the stage: The VagaBONDs from Bond, Schoeneck & King, Refer with Caution from Genesee Regional Bank, the ESL House Band from ESL Federal Credit Union, and Built to Last from PathStone.

You can look forward to classic rock, hits from the 1990s and 2000s, world music, Latin rhythms, some improvisation, and a dash of friendly competition.

The night is about more than the music; United Way LIVE supports local initiatives like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library while bringing together people from workplaces, performers, and the community for a good cause.

📍 Anthology, 336 East Ave., Rochester
📅 Friday, September 18
🚪 Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

🎟️ Get your tickets: https://unitedwayrocflx.org/get-involved/Signature-events/uw-live

Listen to the bands, raise money for your favorite, and make some noise for the community.

Want to meet the bands before they hit the stage? Read more about how they came together, what they’re planning to play, and why they wanted to be part of the night in the latest United Thread

(Check the link in the comments)

08/26/2026

Through her music, generosity, unique spirit, and the gift of reading to millions of children, Dolly Parton brought joy to the world.

With her passing, many people have asked how they can honor her life and legacy.

Her family has urged people who want to remember her to donate to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library instead of giving flowers, helping carry on the cause she cared about so much: getting books into the hands and homes of young children.

United Way is pleased to run the Imagination Library locally serving the City of Rochester and growing in the region. If you wish to donate in memory of Dolly, you can support the program by visiting unitedwayrocflx.org/dpil or find a local chapter in your community at https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/

08/25/2026

We pay tribute to Dolly Parton alongside people around the world — she was an outstanding artist, storyteller, and philanthropist, and her generosity extended well beyond the stage.

One of the many aspects of her legacy is the Imagination Library founded by Dolly Parton on the principle that every child should have the opportunity to grow up with books; the program has since placed millions of books into the hands and homes of children and has thus helped families to develop a love of reading right from the start.

The United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes would like to express its deep gratitude for helping sustain that work in our community; it is a true privilege to be involved in an initiative that began with Dolly's simple, lasting belief in children, families, and the impact of a good book.

Her music will be remembered, along with her generosity, her humor, and all the lives she touched.

We are thinking of her family, her friends and everyone else who is grieving her loss.

08/24/2026

Thanks to 13WHAM for taking part in our event in Batavia and for bringing attention to the 10th annual Summer Serenade!

The evening provided an opportunity for our community to come together by hearing live music performed by the Genesee Symphony Orchestra, enjoying food and spending time with one another—all as a way of supporting United Way’s Backpack Program and the orchestra.

We would like to express our thanks to all those who contributed to making this milestone celebration possible and to 13WHAM for having helped in sharing the story.

08/24/2026

Thanks to 13WHAM for taking part in our event in Batavia and for bringing attention to the 10th annual Summer Serenade!

The evening provided an opportunity for our community to come together by hearing live music performed by the Genesee Symphony Orchestra, enjoying food and spending time with one another—all as a way of supporting United Way's Backpack Program and the orchestra.

We would like to express our thanks to all those who contributed to making this milestone celebration possible and to 13WHAM for having helped in sharing the story.

Check out their coverage and photo gallery:

13WHAM ABC Rochester provides local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, health reports, notices of events and items of interest in the community, local sports and entertainment programming for Rochester and nearby towns and communities including Greece, Victor, Pittsford, Penfield, Henrietta,....

08/19/2026

Since United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes took over the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, the story has kept growing — and it’s a exciting story to tell.

In just a few months:

503 new children have joined the program
23,654 books have been sent to children across our community

Each book delivered means another opportunity to build a love of reading, strengthen early literacy and help prepare a child for school and beyond.
And we’re only getting started.

Learn more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and help us put more books into the hands of local children: unitedwayrocflx.org/dpil

08/18/2026

A huge thank you to Wegmans employees and customers!

Together, they raised an incredible $3,827,682 through the 2026 United Way campaign for our neighbors across Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes.

That generosity helps United Way strengthen local communities, support critical programs, and create more opportunities for people and families across our region.
We are deeply grateful to Wegmans and everyone who gave, participated and helped make this impact possible!