As it enters its 20th year, the Sidney Center Improvement Group (SCIG) has undergone a reorganization. After lengthy deliberation, the SCIG Board of Directors has adopted a new name and has adjusted the group’s focus to better meet changing needs of the people and community. The group is now The Uplift Collective, Inc. – Better Together (T.U.C.).
The group’s revised mission statement offers an overview of the renewed and expanded purposes: The Uplift Collective’s primary focus is on improving the lives of children and families in the Western Catskills and Southern Tier Regions of Upstate New York. The Collective’s mission builds on almost 20 years of providing healthy, community-focused events, programming, and projects. Additionally, the Collective’s objective is to bring joy, comfort, and positive experiences to children and families of children who are facing or have faced a significant health crisis. The Uplift Collective will also advocate for and act in support of a healthy environment relating to clean water, air, and food.
T.U.C. president Mike Sellitti offers these thoughts: “For almost 20 years the Sidney Center Improvement Group (SCIG) and its volunteer members have been focused on and dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents in and around the hamlet of Sidney Center. In that time SCIG has worked on water quality and flood mitigation issues, safety concerns such as speeding, improved the curb appeal of the hamlet with flowers, decorations and new entrance signs, and started popular events like the Tractor Parade, Holidays in the Hamlet and the Down Home Fall Fest. The most ambitious project undertaken was revamping the park and playground with new equipment and features for children and adults. SCIG has gifted the improvements and new features at the park to the town of Sidney. Historical aspects of what the group has achieved over the years will be handed over to the Maywood Historical Group to live on indefinitely. The SCIG and its dedicated members are proud of these accomplishments and our time serving Sidney Center. On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank the volunteers over the years who worked tirelessly to keep the vision and mission of the Improvement Group alive. It took the selfless actions of many to make our goals come to fruition. It also took building relationships in the community, working with other like-minded organizations and individuals to achieve real and meaningful results. For this, we are grateful and will take this with us as we pursue the next chapter of our great community non-profit organization.”
Adding to this, Uplift Collective’s public meetings will occur quarterly rather than monthly and are open to everyone at the Sidney Center Fire Hall at 6:30 p.m. The spring meeting will be May 12 followed by meetings on Aug. 11 and Nov. 10. Reminders will be posted on the group’s Facebook page and via community public service outlets. Minutes of these meetings will subsequently be made available online.
The Down Home Fall Fest (Oct. 5) and Holidays in the Hamlet (Dec. 6) will continue in 2025, and the annual spring bake sale will be May 4 at the four corners coinciding with the fire department’s first chicken barbecue of the season. It is hoped that at least two movie nights will happen at the Baker Street Park this summer.
