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United Way’s “Cow Kissing for ALICE” Event Raises
$11,779 to Support ALICE Families in Lewis County
Published: July 26, 2026 at 12:15
p.m.
By: Press Release from United Way of Northern New
York
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: 3rd Annual Cow
Kissing for ALICE in Lewis County
Lewis County
proved once again that when neighbors come together to help neighbors,
there’s no limit to what can be accomplished.
United Way of
Northern New York’s annual Cow Kissing for ALICE fundraiser raised an incredible $11,779 to
support local ALICE families in Lewis County. ALICE (Asset Limited, Income
Constrained, Employed) represents hardworking households that earn too much
to qualify for many forms of assistance, yet still struggle to afford the
basics like housing, childcare, transportation, and groceries.
After weeks of
friendly competition, Mike Jackson of Viking Cives
in Harrisville earned this year’s coveted (and slightly slobbery!)
Big Smooch, raising an impressive $3,055 to claim the
title.
This year also
featured a new People’s Choice Award, giving children an
opportunity to participate by casting free voting tokens rather than making
a monetary donation. Tonya O’Brien of O’Brien Family Dairy captured
the hearts of our youngest fairgoers, collecting 183 tokens and
earning a cow kiss of her own.
And because a
little friendly rivalry makes everything more entertaining, Rachel
Lisk and Tony Levesque kept fairgoers laughing
all week with their spirited competition. In the end, both runners-up
stepped up to the challenge and shared a celebratory smooch with the cow as
well.
Every candidate
embraced the spirit of the fundraiser with enthusiasm, humor, and a genuine
desire to make a difference. United Way extends heartfelt thanks to Mike
Jackson, Tonya O’Brien, Rachel Lisk, Tony Levesque, Lee Hinkleman, and Tom
Spaulding for generously sharing their time, their big
personalities, and their dignity!
While the
candidates may have stolen the spotlight, the true VIP was Envy,
a 1½-year-old Holstein owned by Sam VanBuren of Rossdale Farms.
Envy accepted every smooch with remarkable patience, plenty of personality,
and just enough slobber to keep the tradition authentic. We’re grateful to
Sam and Rossdale Farms for sharing this wonderful ambassador with our
community.
The impact of Cow
Kissing extends far beyond the fairgrounds. Funds raised through last
year’s event helped United Way provide assistance to
34 Lewis County families, helping hardworking neighbors overcome temporary
financial challenges and move toward greater stability. This year’s
proceeds will continue that important work.
Events like Cow
Kissing are only possible because of the generosity of our sponsors. United
Way extends sincere appreciation to our Presenting Sponsor, O’Brien
Family Dairy, along with AmeriCU,
Countryside Veterinary Clinic, Tom Spaulding State Farm,
LinkingLewisCounty.com, and the Lewis County Fair for
helping make this beloved community tradition possible.
From all of us at
United Way of Northern New York, thank you, Lewis County. Whether
you cast a vote, cheered on a candidate, volunteered your time, sponsored
the event, or simply stopped by our booth to learn more about ALICE
families, you helped make a real difference.
Lewis County has
once again shown what happens when neighbors rally around neighbors. We’re
grateful for a community that never hesitates to lend a hand or encourage a
cow kiss when local families need support.
Now that’s
something to moo about! 🐄
  
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