New York Agents Assist Pair of Charities

An estimated $45,000 in donations, designed to enrich the Syracuse, New York charities of Mercy Works and the Huntington Family Centers Inc., began with a golf tournament sponsored by the Independent Insurance Agents of Central New York Inc. Check presentation ceremonies took place at both the Mercy Works and Huntington locations in Syracuse on Oct. 7 and Oct. 14, respectively.

Through the generosity of 136 insurance agents and their guests, IIACNY’s June 9 Annual Golf Outing raised $13,000 for the two non-profits. Staff members from both Huntington and Mercy Works followed the Pompey Club event with a silent auction that raised an additional $3,000. A three-to-one match by the Onondaga County (New York) Department of Social Services tripled the IIACNY–Huntington donation, while Mercy Works received a $10,000 contribution from an anonymous donor.

“All in all, about $45,000 will be put to good use for children and families in need who reside in the Syracuse area,” said Schuyler Hellings, IIACNY treasurer.

Michael Melara, executive director, Huntington Family Centers Inc., explains that his organization’s portion of the donations will help fund programs that “prevent children from being placed in foster care. Should foster care occur, we teach parents the necessary skills they need in order to have their children return home safely.” The programs at Huntington help to preserve and strengthen both individuals and families in Onondaga County.

Through such programs as the Synergy Leadership Trainee Program, Mercy Works offers young people the opportunity to develop academically and professionally, as well as “contribute to the future of Central New York’s workforce and community,” according to Director of Development Clarence Jordan. “IIACNY’s contributions and the $10,000 matching gift helped sponsor Synergy interns this past summer.”

To learn more about these two non-profit groups, visit their Web sites at www.huntingtonfamilycenters.org and www.mercy-works.org. More information about IIACNY is available at www.iiacny.com.