CHAZY, N.Y. (WCAX) – North Country leaders kissed the cow Friday in an effort to raise awareness about the growing homelessness issue in the area.
The fundraiser was held at the Miner Institute in Chazy. John Bernardi, the president of the United Way of the Adirondack Region, says they raised $15,000, surpassing their goal. Bernardi says the money will go toward homeless prevention services in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties.
He says overall, the nonprofit raised more than $670,000 in its 2024 fundraising campaign to help those in the North Country who need help.
“As a community, we have to make sure that people are not suffering in that way. We need to give them a hand up, not necessarily a handout, but a hand up so that they can find better opportunities and better conditions,” Bernardi said.
He says that money helps roughly 80,000 people or about half the total population in the tri-county area.