CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- On Wednesday, May 1st, the United Way of the Southern Tier hosted its annual community dinner at the Corning Museum of Glass. The dinner includes an award presentation that highlights the action of giving, volunteering, and advocating in Chemung and Steuben Counties. 

"We're celebrating the collection of the human spirit coming together and the work that we do to improve community life," says the Board President and Chief Executive Officer for the United Way of the Southern Tier, Stephen Hughes. "This is our 31st year as a coordinated United Way covering two counties, Steuben and Chemung County, and after all of these years we still remain as effective and as an efficient at what we do, helping to try to solve sometimes intractable social problems."

The United Way of the Southern Tier presented three categories of awards. For the 'give' award Martin Curran, Corning Inc's Executive Vice President and Innovation officer. UWST says Curran has been a generous supporter of the foundation. They added Curran was the immediate past chair of the United Way of the Southern Tier's board of directors. 

Wednesday's 'advocate' award was presented to the Eaton Corporation's Horseheads Faculty. They were awarded the for their advocacy in places like the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. 

The final category was an award for volunteering, given to the Tour de Keuka Planning Committee. They spend over 90% of the year planning for the annual bike ride around Keuka Lake. 

"We spend around nine months of the year planning for the Tour de Keuka," shared Katie Cervoni. "We have, on average, 200 riders and just as many volunteers to help make that time successful. The committee is busy all year making sure that the routes are safe and planned, making sure that all the events are planned for the riders and that that day of experience goes smoothly. So the time they put in, the commitment they put in, is so valuable for that event to go off smoothly and to be so successful." 

John Anthony, Gina Behil, Josh Bezio, Katie Cervoni, Kristine Dale, Anis Fadul, Paul Huber, Blaine Mays, Doug Mugglin, Randy Rhoads and
Robert Stanton, are all on the planning committee that received the volunteerism award. 

The United Way of the Southern Tier also recognizes individuals who demonstrate vision, courage, and commitment to leading their community in change.