Five local charities received $1000 grants at an award ceremony Wednesday night for representing key principles of the host organization.


In celebration of their five year anniversary, the Greater Binghamton Chapter of UNICO National presented five local organizations with $1000 donations.


The Southern Tier Veterans Support Group, Rise, Robbie's Pantry, Mercy House, and the Union Endicott High School Italian Exchange Program all received awards at the event held at Traditions at the Glen.


"Our motto, which is the national motto, is 'service above self.' So all the activities that we do, and the fundraisers, we hope to benefit not just the people in our membership, but those in our community as well. So we're hoping that by doing this, we can see the relevance of donating your time, donating all the volunteering, to help others that are in need," said President of the Greater Binghamton Chapter of UNICO Barbara Wahila.


Graduating seniors Francesca Spinelli from Seton Catholic Central and Alexander White from Union-Endicott High School also received $250 Angelo Zuccolo Scholarship Service Awards today for their exceptional services to the community.