UTICA, N.Y. (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) – Join, renew, or donate! The Oneida County History Center 18th Annual Telethon presented by the Bank of Utica is Wednesday, May 17, 2023, from 5:00- 8:00 p.m. and will be broadcast live on WUTR-TV and stream on CNYHomepage.com. The telethon is the History Center’s signature fundraising event of the year and highlights the importance of local history and the community partnerships that make implementing the History Center’s mission possible.
Hosts Joe Kelly, Rebecca McLain and Shelby Pay will welcome special guests throughout the event, including historian Frank Tomaino, musician Monk Row, OCHC Volunteer of the Year Dennis Dewey, members of the Utica Fire Department, and many others.
The event will also feature artifacts from the History Center’s Collection and vignettes about important individuals in local history.
The 2023 goal is to raise $35,000 to support the organization’s mission to protect and preserve Central New York history for present and future generations. Viewers can call 315-735-3642 during the event to join, renew, or donate to show their support. The first 40 callers to pledge $50 or more will be eligible to receive a limited-edition, surprise gift, sponsored by Oneida County Tourism.
The History Center is funded by private sources and relies on donations as a primary source of income. Pledges received during the 2023 telethon are vital to the organization’s success and directly support ongoing operations and strategic initiatives including:
• Free monthly, public programs including in-person talks, virtual lectures, and history-themed story hour for kids
• Rotating exhibits in the History Center’s 5,000 square foot gallery
• Preservation and care for growing archival, artifact, and genealogical collections
• Free access to the research library for students and low-cost access for non-members
• Internship opportunities for high school and college students to gain hands-on experience
• Educational outreach to area schools, community organizations, and businesses
The History Center staff, volunteers, and board of directors would like to thank the following organizations, businesses, and individuals who have already pledged their support for the 2023 telethon:
Naming Sponsor: Bank of Utica.
Platinum Sponsors: Adirondack Financial Services, DBJ Wealth Management, Chris and Virginia Kelly, Oneida Indian Nation Foundation.
Gold Sponsors: The John Brown Team at Coldwell banker Faith Properties, Caruso, McLean and Co., Inc., Greg and Denyse Evans, Coleman Harding, Earle C. Reed, Scalzo, Zogby and Wittig.
Silver Sponsors: MARCH Associates, Drs. Cynthia Parlato and Doug Hurd, Jay-K Lumber, F.X. Matt Brewing Co., New Hartford Eye Associates, Dick Williams, UFA Alumni Association.
Bronze Sponsors: Janice Collier, GPO Federal Credit Union, Highlander Communications, Leigh Baldwin & Co., Northern Safety & Industrial, Oneida Chapter of NSDAR, The Roman Agency LLC, Joe Silberlicht and Sandy Fenske, Elizabeth and Richard Tantillo, Nancy Robinson and C. Lewis Tomaselli.
Media Sponsors: WUTR and The Daily Sentinel.
In-Kind Sponsors: Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina’s, Oneida County Tourism, Northland Communications