January 26, 2022

Oneida Center’s Heartfelt Fundraiser For Melissa and Her Daughter

On Friday, January 21, 2022, Oneida Center on Kemble Street held a raffle to help Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Melissa Williams-Maddox. Ms. Maddox and her 15-year-old daughter lost everything in the well-publicized West Utica fire at the end of December 2021, the same fire that two little girls sadly lost their lives. Melissa and her daughter lived in the same location but downstairs and now have been relocated for the time being. Oneida Center has had a number of activities geared to a donation to raise money for Melissa’s family, including a fish fry a few weeks ago and a collection of gift baskets. Administrator Xyier Woodard and his Activity Director Lillian Woodard have been leading this effort, with the help of another staffer named Steven Pulluaim, who started a GoFundMe page through his Facebook page. So far in total $6,694 has been raised, including more than $3,500 from the GoFundMe Page, $2,000 from parent company Centers Health Care, and the rest from various contributions. In this photo is Oneida Center LPN Melissa Williams-Maddox.