United Way Adk ends 2026 fundraising with cow kisses

CHAZY | With a few laughs, a couple barn jokes and passion for community, United Way Adirondack Region held its fundraising finale at the Miner Institute Farm cow barn. The annual bovine bussing event raised $10,000 to cap a total $680,000 raised for the 2026 annual campaign. With nine cow kissers, net support came in at about $1,111.11 per kiss. United Way President and CEO John Bernardi said they were thrilled to continue their rich tradition of cow kissing, "and pleased to report that we have closed our campaign at $680,000," gaining loud applause, "that we will invest in high-priority health and human services programs throughout Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties. "As you all know, the needs are tremendous, so these dollars are more important than ever. The needs have just become so urgent for people across the region." Last year, collectively, through the United Way Adk. partnerships, he said, "we were able to serve 80,000 people throughout the three-county region. That's half the population ... every other person you see on the street, every other house on your road, every other neighbor. You never know when a need is going to arise, we could turn a corner tomorrow -- any one of us -- and need some help." Bernardi thanked the Miner Institute for welcoming the crowd of local elected and business leaders who got together to celebrate the fundraising finish amid fresh sawdust, swooping barn birds and the occasional bellow from the herd. "The people here are extraordinary," he said, introducing Miner Institute President Dr. Heather Dann. "We're honored to be here, this is a special place." A COW NAMED JACKIE "Welcome to Miner Institute," Dann said. "We're glad you took time out of your day today to join us. The cow kissing event is one that our team really looks forward to, allowing us to continue the tradition that William Miner started over 100 years ago about giving back to community and taking care of those around us." Dann introduced the very pregnant cow named Jackie, an award-winning Holstein led by herdsmen Rebecca, McKenzie and Nicole. Jackie was a okay with all the attention but a little shy with the kissing. She is due to have her third calf on March 7. Local business and legislative leaders on the United Way bovine buss were Valerie Ainsworth who heads Homeward Bound Adirondacks and the Mental Health Association of Essex County; Holly Black, owner of the Hurdle Group; City of Plattsburgh Mayor Wendell Hughes; Clinton Community College President Ken Knelly; Elizabeth Pearl, owner of Pearl Physical Therapy; Michelle Breen, director of Franklin County Office for the Aging; Assemblymember Michael Cashman and Bernardi. Some of the United Way personnel and support team stepped up for a cow kiss, too. Holding jackie's lead, Rebecca said this cow is a superstar on Miner Institute's farm. "In her lifetime, she has given almost 7,700 gallons of milk, which is pretty incredible." HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION KEY CONCERNS Bernardi said the United Way resources will reach across dozens of partner agencies to address challenges to prevent homelessness, provide transportation, childcare funding, mental health support and combat cost-of-living increases. Their focus on homelessness is about keeping people in their homes, he said, "and preventing them from becoming homeless, which is our best strategy by the way. When we looked across the region at addressing housing and homelessness, preventing it from the beginning, in the first place, is the best strategy." The United Way and its network are seeing enormous needs related to housing and transportation. "You might not think of transportation as a critical need out there, but it truly is," Bernardi said. Food insecurity continues to be an ongoing challenge, he added, along with resources for mental health. "With inflation and other challenges that have evolved over the past couple of years, we're seeing more families. The ALICE world has expanded," Bernardi said. "We're seeing more and more people needing help. Our 2-1-1 call center has seen a huge increase in people calling to connect to the resources that they need." The ALICE -- Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed -- initiative at United Way assists working families, usually essential workers, who live above the poverty level but still struggle to provide basic necessities. Cashman said Bernardi is an incredible leader and thanked him for his work. "It's about making sure there's a point of the spear, and you've done that," Cashman said. "The best resource are the people in the region. And people step up time and time again. You often hear of people needing to pull themselves up by the bootstraps. The fact of the matter is the United Way makes sure people have boots to begin with. That's what it's about."

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United Way Adk ends 2026 fundraising with cow kisses

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