UTICA — It was a celebration of philanthropy and selflessness on Wednesday at Delta Hotels by Marriott in Utica, as the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties honored two major donors whose generosity has greatly impacted the area.
Ron and Sheila Cuccaro were both honored by the foundation as recipients of the Rosamond Childs Award for Community Philanthropy, an award given out in rare instances to individuals who exhibit a spirit of giving and profound commitment to the community.
The award is named after the foundation’s first major donor and its recipients are known for their selflessness, leadership, compassion, and generosity.
While some people might not recognize the names of the honorees, Community Foundation officials say they would certainly recognize the work they have helped fund for the betterment of the community. The couple has helped fund numerous projects and organizations in the area that have helped people who are struggling with basic needs and that have benefited the community they love.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating them. They are what I would call a class act in our community, both of them,” said Alicia Dicks, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.
“We have a community of great people, and I think good communities are made up of great people, so we’re really fortunate,” Dicks added. “We have many to choose from when we tried to develop an award like this, but this year, given how Ron and Sheila have stepped up over the recent years with COVID-19, with equity, with the Ukraine fund, with the needs of this community that have been evolving quickly, they were at the table ready and willing. We just felt that it was time, and who else better to celebrate.”
On Wednesday, the pair were surrounded by family, friends, business and organization leaders, and public officials, who all came to recognize their efforts and the good that has come as a result. Some in attendance took the opportunity to speak on how the Cuccaro’s generosity has benefitted the community, businesses, organizations, and themselves personally by inspiring them. Notably, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119, Marcy, issued proclamations recognizing their philanthropic efforts and the positive impacts that came afterward.
The Cuccaros said they were “overwhelmed” and “very appreciative” of everyone in attendance and of being selected by the foundation as recipients of the Rosamond Childs Award for Community Philanthropy.
Ron Cuccaro noted that, having been involved with the foundation for a number of years, he came to understand how special the award is and that it is not given out often.
“It’s wonderful to be recognized for what we’ve been fortunate to be able to do, but to be recognized for it by our family, our friends, the foundation, the general business community, the nonprofits, is really special,” he said. “We hope that maybe we can set an example for other people to see whether they can do similar types of things because there’s a lot you get out of it. We got more out of it than we ever gave.”
“If you can affect just one person in a positive way by giving, that makes it all worthwhile,” Sheila Cuccaro said. “There are a lot of people that are very generous in this area, and we’re just one of many.”
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