Maxine and Gino Alberici understand the challenge facing them. In an extremely tough economy, they have the task of leading the United Way of Cayuga County's annual fundraising campaign.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Maxine and Gino Alberici, of Owasco, will be this year's co-chairs for the United Way of Cayuga County's annual fall fundraising campaign.
Maxine and Gino Alberici, of Owasco, will be this year's co-chairs for the United Way of Cayuga County's annual fall fundraising campaign.
The Owasco couple were chosen by the agency to lead the 2009 effort.
“It really seemed daunting, at first,” Gino said when he thought of tackling the job. “But there is such a great staff in place, it certainly alleviated many of the concerns that Maxine and I had.
“One job is to get out there and try to encourage giving,” he said, “and one great thing even in these tough economic times is that the people of Auburn are very giving, as well as those in Cayuga County. They always seem to come to the fore when needed.”
Gail S. Homick, local United Way executive director, said the executive committee recommended the Albericis as exemplifying qualities that the board looks for in chairs: proven leadership, involvement in the community and the ability to communicate effectively, especially with numerous agencies supported by the United Way. Board members submit names to the executive committee, which meets for the selection process.
Dr. Daniel Larson, Cayuga Community College president and this year's United Way board president, said the Albericis are a good fit for the campaign.
“We looked at how Maxine and Gino have dedicated their lives to this area for the better part of a half century and how that aligns with what the United Way tries to accomplish,” he said. “It's nice having a couple like them who have a good feel for their strengths and what they can do.”
As for division of work: “Maxine said Gino's going to do it all,” Larson quipped, before offering his serious assessment. “They will work together effectively as a team, and their individual responsibilities will evolve as the campaign progresses.”
Maxine said the economy will be a factor this year.
“A lot of people are out of work, and it's tough,” Maxine said. “If we could have a lot of people at least give a little, that's what we need. We'll be further ahead.”
She added people never know when they're going to need some of the services and the help of others that United Way offers.
“You don't have to be poor to need people to help you through hard times,” she said. “Everybody in the community seems to rise to the occasion when called on. It's hard to find a week without some sort of fundraiser here.”
Maxine and Gino admitted they're “still getting (their) feet wet.” They are working out schedules with the United Way committee so that everything is ready to go by the September kickoff. The campaign wraps up in December when results are tabulated.
“We don't have a lot of money,” Maxine said, “but we have time. I feel as long as we have our health, we need to give back to the community that supported us and our kids.”
“It's such a great undertaking,” Gino said, “the people you're hopefully reaching and touching. It gives you great satisfaction to help derive funds that affect people's lives.”
Maxine is on the Matthew House board, has worked with Gino for seven years with Friends of Hospice and is chairman of the Historical and Cultural Sites board. Gino is an Owasco Town Board member, a member of Cayuga County Parks and Trails Commission, Friends of Hospice chairman and a YMCA board member. He's also on the Business Development Board of Tompkins Trust.
Maxine initiated the preschool/kindergarten religious education program at Sacred Heart Church, where she and Gino are commentators, lectors and Eucharistic ministers. She also works on blood drives for the Red Cross at Sacred Heart and is active in social ministries.
Maxine and Gino spent their lives as teachers. They've been married for 47 years, with six children.
Gino's reputation as Port Byron Central Schools head football coach is well known; he retired in 1993 after 34 years there. He was also an outstanding athlete at Auburn's West High School and went to Holy Cross as right guard on a football scholarship.
Maxine, a retired home economics teacher, met Gino during her first year teaching at Port Byron. He asked her for a ride to Syracuse, took her out to dinner, and they married a few months later. She had graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a home economics degree.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
“It really seemed daunting, at first,” Gino said when he thought of tackling the job. “But there is such a great staff in place, it certainly alleviated many of the concerns that Maxine and I had.
“One job is to get out there and try to encourage giving,” he said, “and one great thing even in these tough economic times is that the people of Auburn are very giving, as well as those in Cayuga County. They always seem to come to the fore when needed.”
Gail S. Homick, local United Way executive director, said the executive committee recommended the Albericis as exemplifying qualities that the board looks for in chairs: proven leadership, involvement in the community and the ability to communicate effectively, especially with numerous agencies supported by the United Way. Board members submit names to the executive committee, which meets for the selection process.
Dr. Daniel Larson, Cayuga Community College president and this year's United Way board president, said the Albericis are a good fit for the campaign.
“We looked at how Maxine and Gino have dedicated their lives to this area for the better part of a half century and how that aligns with what the United Way tries to accomplish,” he said. “It's nice having a couple like them who have a good feel for their strengths and what they can do.”
As for division of work: “Maxine said Gino's going to do it all,” Larson quipped, before offering his serious assessment. “They will work together effectively as a team, and their individual responsibilities will evolve as the campaign progresses.”
Maxine said the economy will be a factor this year.
“A lot of people are out of work, and it's tough,” Maxine said. “If we could have a lot of people at least give a little, that's what we need. We'll be further ahead.”
She added people never know when they're going to need some of the services and the help of others that United Way offers.
“You don't have to be poor to need people to help you through hard times,” she said. “Everybody in the community seems to rise to the occasion when called on. It's hard to find a week without some sort of fundraiser here.”
Maxine and Gino admitted they're “still getting (their) feet wet.” They are working out schedules with the United Way committee so that everything is ready to go by the September kickoff. The campaign wraps up in December when results are tabulated.
“We don't have a lot of money,” Maxine said, “but we have time. I feel as long as we have our health, we need to give back to the community that supported us and our kids.”
“It's such a great undertaking,” Gino said, “the people you're hopefully reaching and touching. It gives you great satisfaction to help derive funds that affect people's lives.”
Maxine is on the Matthew House board, has worked with Gino for seven years with Friends of Hospice and is chairman of the Historical and Cultural Sites board. Gino is an Owasco Town Board member, a member of Cayuga County Parks and Trails Commission, Friends of Hospice chairman and a YMCA board member. He's also on the Business Development Board of Tompkins Trust.
Maxine initiated the preschool/kindergarten religious education program at Sacred Heart Church, where she and Gino are commentators, lectors and Eucharistic ministers. She also works on blood drives for the Red Cross at Sacred Heart and is active in social ministries.
Maxine and Gino spent their lives as teachers. They've been married for 47 years, with six children.
Gino's reputation as Port Byron Central Schools head football coach is well known; he retired in 1993 after 34 years there. He was also an outstanding athlete at Auburn's West High School and went to Holy Cross as right guard on a football scholarship.
Maxine, a retired home economics teacher, met Gino during her first year teaching at Port Byron. He asked her for a ride to Syracuse, took her out to dinner, and they married a few months later. She had graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a home economics degree.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
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