VUW newsletter Sept/04

Vol. 31 / Issue 2 / September 04
news
Valley United Way
serving Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton
[email protected]
www.valleyunitedway.org
75 Liberty Street, PO Box 418 • Ansonia, CT 06401-0418 • Phone: (203) 735-9331 • Fax: (203) 732-8831
what matters.™
Campaign Cabinet Announced
for the 2004-05 Annual Campaign
Since 1938, a committed
group of community leaders
has volunteered to help raise
money for a host of social
service and health organizations that provide valuable
services to Valley residents.
The Valley United Way
campaign is the largest
fundraiser in the Valley.
Cabinet members are a cross
section of the five towns we
serve — Ansonia, Derby,
Oxford, Seymour and
Shelton — representing
nonprofits, community individuals and private industry.
In addition to their full time
jobs, they are committed to
the success of the Valley
United Way.
The list of members of the
Campaign Cabinet for 200405, including a photo of each
member, can be seen on
pages four and five. ■
Join us Tuesday, September 21, 2004
at 8:00 AM at the Connecticut Sports
Complex in Shelton, CT. To reserve
your seat, call (203) 735-9331 or go
online at www.valleyunitedway.org
Thanks… Campaign Sponsors
Valley United Way is pleased to announce the 21 sponsors
who will be helping to underwrite the costs of the 2004-05
campaign, so that more dollars raised in the upcoming
campaign will help support community services rather than
campaign expenses. The funds help to pay for campaign
materials and events including the video, design, printing, the
kickoff and annual dinner.
Mike Marcinek, Campaign Chairman, expressed thanks for
the generous support from the sponsors. “These sponsorship
dollars have given us the ability to run an effective campaign
with first-rate materials such as our award-winning brochures
and videos that allow us to tell the United Way story effectively
to potential donors.” He pointed out that a number of national
awards from the United Way of America were won by Valley
“These sponsorship dollars have given us the
ability to run an effective campaign with first-rate
materials such as our award-winning brochures
and videos that allow us to tell the United Way
story effectively to potential donors.”
United Way. “We are looking forward to another great campaign year, and our sponsors are once again making it possible for us to effectively reach out to the community to better
inform them of the importance of the annual campaign.” ■
This year’s sponsors:
• Curtiss-Ryan Honda, Inc.
• David M. Grant Caterers
• Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte
& Sterczala, P.C.
• Edward F. Adzima &
Riverview Funeral Homes
• Fletcher-Thompson
• Fred Ortoli Photography
• F.W. Serra
• GE Supply
• The Greenwich Workshop
• Hasler,® Inc.
• Haynes Construction
• Health Net
• Iroquois Gas
Transmission System
• Keystone Aviation
• McLaughlin, DelVecchio &
Casey Advertising
• Naugatuck Savings Bank
• Rapp’s Paradise Inn
• Tele-Media Cable Company
• The United
Illuminating Company
• Venman & Co. LLC
• Webster Bank
2004 Back-to-School Drive Benefits Oxford Schools
Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) members were excited to
present 80 children from Oxford with the gift of school readiness for the 2004 academic year.
“GE is a big supporter of helping children as they
will be our future leaders. Giving back to the
communities in which we operate is one of GE’s
core values, and every individual’s responsibility.”
In a twist on tradition, all three elementary schools in Oxford —
Great Oak, Quaker Farms and Oxford Center schools — will
come together on August 26th to celebrate the beginning of
their school year. Traditionally, schools are chosen to receive
assistance based on the highest number of students receiving
tive among General Electric employees to sponsor a total of
15 children. GE volunteers have broken into three teams, GE
International Inc., GE Supply and GE Consumer Finance.
Each team “adopts” five children and races to see who can
clothe their child first. According to DeDonato, “GE is a big
supporter of helping children, as they will be our future leaders. Giving back to the communities in which we operate is
one of GE’s core values, and every individual’s responsibility.”
BPA Worldwide in Shelton, which has recently relocated from
New York, will also be sponsoring a child. Barbara Hildebrand
of BPA Worldwide, believes the CVC affords the opportunity for
corporate involvement and the Back-to-School Clothes-for-Kids
Program is a wonderful idea. As a new member, Hildebrand
believes that “this program provides BPA with the ability to help
a child or family in need within our new community.”
“The efforts of the CVC each
year are amazing. It has been a
great learning experience for
Oxford Public Schools to learn
about the caring Corporate
Volunteer Council and their
ability to make a difference in
the lives of our children.”
Back-to-School volunteers help to organize the donations made for the event
free lunch. This year will mark the first effort of the CVC to
coordinate outreach efforts based on the first application
Oxford Pubic School Systems has sent in since the inception
of the Back-to-School Clothes-for-Kids Project.
“This program provides BPA Worldwide with
the ability to help a child or family in need
within our new community.”
Generous corporate sponsors have been eagerly preparing a
surprise in each box for the children sponsored. Over 14 corporations have mobilized their staff to create boxes filled with
new clothing, sneakers, jackets, undergarments and backpacks with school supplies.
Sharon DeDonato, Administrator of General Electric
International, Inc., is taking part in a fun, team-building initia-
Maria Nicolia and Amy Merriman of
The Hartford Corporation have been
organizing a “Luau” party for the students.
At this party, all of the participating
children will receive their own book from
New Haven Reads Foundation and pens
and pencils from the Bic Corporation. In addition, the festive
atmosphere will include David M. Grant Caterers’ award winning cookies and punch, with popcorn, ice cream and gift
bags sponsored by The Hartford Corporation. According to
Joy DeMarchis, VAC Director, “The efforts of the CVC each
year are amazing. It has been a great learning experience for
Oxford Public Schools to learn about the caring Corporate
Volunteer Council that we have within the Valley and their
ability to make a difference in the lives of our children.” ■
A special thank you to our sponsors: General Electric, MDR, American
Skandia/Prudential, BPA Worldwide, Naugatuck Savings Bank, Iroquois Gas
Transmission System, OCI, David M. Grant Caters, Fletcher-Thompson,
Transcentive, reloAction, LifeTouch, PerkinElmer Precisely, The Hartford,
CAPS, Kerite, SBC Snet, Microsol, Wachovia Bank, Greater Valley Chamber
of Commerce WIN group, and New Wave Technologies
—2—
Week of Caring — Building the Foundation
for a Soup Kitchen in the Valley
The Salvation Army of Ansonia, CT
will receive a makeover from CVC
members during the annual United
Way’s Week of Caring. Throughout
the nation, United Way agencies
traditionally sponsor a “Day of
Caring,” but in the Valley the goal is
to surpass the expectations of most
communities and sponsor a full
Week of Caring to meet our agencies’ needs. Volunteers will actively
begin their work on September
11th and completion of the project
is scheduled for September 17,
2004.
Captains Brian and Claudia Geist of
the Salvation Army are looking forward to the renovation. They know
that it will help them accomplish
their overarching goals for the community by becoming the first soup
kitchen in the Valley. Captain Brian
believes that there is a “tremendous
need in the Valley for a warm place
The Salvation Army of
for people to eat a good meal,
Ansonia, CT receives a
especially in the cooler winter
makeover by CVC members
months and during the hot and
during the annual United
Way’s Week of Caring
humid summer. Our goal is to also
reach the children in the families
that we assist with food each month by providing them with
programs, a computer center and the skills they need to grow
in service”.
Teams of Corporate Volunteer Council members have already
mobilized to identify the needs of the Salvation Army. Tim
Gugino of OCI Chemical, is heading the CVC’s efforts this
year and is looking forward to “helping the Salvation Army
Officers receive the assistance that they need to renovate their
building”. Robert Van Egghen of PerkinElmer is “seeking a few
good men and women to serve as volunteers.” Projects
include painting, creating a new roof, demolishing the kitchen
area, building a handicap ramp, and finishing the basement as
a soup kitchen.
Members of the CVC are seeking volunteers and gifts-in-kind
to make this Week of Caring possible. Joy DeMarchis, director of VAC, states that this is a “special project for the CVC
Week of Caring Committee because together we will build a
foundation for Valley residents seeking a daily meal to receive
future assistance.” Corporate Leaders are encouraged to
team up with the CVC to make this project a tremendous
success by organizing groups of volunteers to get their hands
dirty to secure financial and gift-in-kind donations to assist
with the high cost of supplies needed for this project.” Please
contact Joy DeMarchis at 735-9331 for further information on
how to get involved! ■
—3—
Campaign Cabinet For the
Mike Marcinek, Fletcher-Thompson — Campaign Chairman
Reverend Robert Henry, Christ Episcopal Church —
Chair, Clergy
Ron Villani and Peggy Villani
(not pictured) — Co-Chairs,
Alexis DeTocqueville Society
Tom Sullivan, Stop & Shop
— Chair, Retail
David Grant,
David M. Grant Caterers —
Chair, Leadership
Marc Garofalo, Mayor, Derby —
Chair, Municipal
Marc
Youth
James Sheehy, Sheehy & Dillon —
Chair, Attorney
Lisa Olival, F.W.Serra — Chair, Small Bus
Left: Marilyn Cormack, Birmingham Health — Chair, Community
Ern and Nick Luise — Co-Chairs, Alexis deTocqueville Society
Leon Sylvester, Shelton Board of Education — Chair, Education
—4—
Bill Lesko, Dworken, Hillman,
LaMorte & Sterczala, P.C. —
Chair, Accountants
2004-05 Annual Campaign
William Dunlop, Tele-Media Cable Company
Patrick Charmel, Griffin Hospital — Steering Committee
c Brumer, Seymour —
Leadership
Richard Reed, The United
Illuminating Company —
Steering Committee
Bill Purcell,
Chamber of Commerce —
Steering Committee
John Vavra, Hasler,® Inc. — Steering Committee
siness
James Tickey, Shelton — Youth Leadership
Joe Andreana —
Steering Committee
John Tomac, Birmingham Utilities — Steering Committee
Ray Kostka, Naugatuck
Savings Bank —
Chair, Business
Joseph Pagliaro, Jr., Riverview & Edward F. Adzima
Funeral Homes — Steering Committee
—5—
Program Allocations up 15% Over Last Year
As a result of a very successful fundraising campaign headed
by Joe Andreana, the Valley United Way’s Board of Directors
is pleased to announce allocations to partner agencies are up
by fifteen percent from the previous year. Additionally agencies
will be receiving donor designated dollars over and above
their allocations.
“We are very pleased to be able to increase allocations at a
time when the demand for services is great and state and
federal funding is declining. These agencies provide great
services to the community, and the money will be used wisely
to deliver quality services” commented Mr. Andreana. ■
Agencies such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, provide great services
to the community
Agency
Allocation
Agency
American Red Cross
$ 77,000
Liberty Center
Area Congregations Together
$ 12,200
N.H. Legal Assistance
Big Brothers Big Sisters
$ 8,500
Allocation
$ 25,000
$ 6,000
Parent Child Resource Center
$ 30,000
Boy Scouts - Housatonic Council
$ 51,000
Rape Crisis Center
$ 14,000
Boys & Girls Club
$ 96,000
Recreation Camp
$ 24,937
Catholic Family Services (Ansonia)
$ 60,000
Safe Home
$ 5,000
Catholic Family Services (Shelton)
$ 17,800
SONCCA
$ 4,000
Derby Day Care Center
$ 3,200
U.S.O.
Girl Scouts - CT Trails Council
$ 20,000
Umbrella
Infoline
$ 10,000
$ 500
$ 29,000
Valley YMCA
$ 43,000
International Institute
$ 1,500
Visiting Nurse Association of SCC
$ 20,000
Jewish Family Services
$ 5,000
Volunteer Action Center
$ 45,000
Julia Day Nursery
$ 2,000
Total
$ 610,637
Great Job Allocations Committee — Thank You!
Richard Bshara,
City of Ansonia
Carlos Gomez,
Youth Leadership
Adrienne Cabral,
Iroquois Gas
Transmission System
Pennell Hamilton,
Actuarial Insights
Joann Dean, Derby Cellular
Sharon Joyce,
Webster Bank
Dick Feher, Tele-Media
Cable Company
Mike Marcinek,
Fletcher-Thompson
Al Felice, The United
Illuminating Company
Chrissy Matosian,
Youth Leadership
Peter Galla,
Naugatuck Savings Bank
Cheri Nagel, Emhart
Fastening Teknologies
Jim Geissler, Valley
Regional Adult Education
Heather Nash,
Youth Leadership
Ruth Parkins,
Iroquois Gas
Transmission System
Patty Reynolds,
Rapp’s Paradise Inn
Nancy Valentine,
Community Leader
Bob VanEgghen,
PerkinElmer Precisely
Millie Rios, H & R Block
Tom Welch, Winnick, Vine,
Welch & Teodosio
Richard Rosen, Hasler,® Inc.
Phil White, Better Packages
Brian Sexton, Retired
Ron Villani, GE Supply
Robin Skowronski,
City of Shelton
Phyllis Sochrin, Retired
Larry Thomas,
Ansonia Housing Authority
Jimmy Tickey,
Youth Leadership
—6—
We always need volunteers
to serve on the allocations
committee. If you are interested please contact Jack
Walsh at 735-9331.
Tele-Media Cable Company Wins Corporate Cup – Again!
With a razor slim margin of just one quarter of a point, TeleMedia Cable is once again the Griffin Hospital Community
Corporate Cup Champ. This is the fourth straight year that
Tele-Media Cable topped the field, but second year competitor PerkinElmer Precisely made it
as close as possible with a win in
the final event, the Healthy Team
competition, closed the gap from
1.25 points to .25. Griffin Hospital
finished third with 104 points.
Tele-Media Cable captured only
one event in the series, Darts,
but finished strong in every event.
PerkinElmer Precisely posted
wins in Bowling, Golf, and the
Healthy Team competition, but it
was Tele-Media Cable’s dominance in Darts and strong finishes everywhere else that gave
them the victory.
Valley United Way would like to
congratulate all of the participants for their involvement and
thank The Golf Center of
Connecticut, Snooker’s,
American Legion Sutter-Terlizzi
Post #16 and the Shelton School
System for hosting events. A
special thanks to everyone at
Griffin Hospital including the culinary department which provided
the healthy meals. ■
For the fourth straight year, Tele-Media Cable Company topped the rest of the field and kept their title as the
Griffin Hospital Community Corporate Cup Champ
Final Standings
Team
Bowling
Darts
Billiards
Volleyball
Horseshoes
Golf
Walk
Tele-Media Cable
16.50
17.00
16.75
5.50
14.25
15.50
5.00
PerkinElmer Precisely
17.50
11.25
16.75
7.00
15.75
16.00
Griffin Hospital
16.00
14.25
12.50
7.50
11.25
Health Services
14.00
11.25
12.50
6.00
TEAM, Inc.
15.50
11.25
17.50
Calvert Safe & Lock
9.50
15.75
IDA International
9.00
Valley YMCA
CEO
Healthy
Total
5.00
21.50
117.00
5.00
5.00
22.50
116.75
11.50
5.00
5.00
21.00
104.00
14.25
10.50
5.00
.—
19.75
93.25
.—
11.25
6.00
4.00
5.00
14.50
85.00
12.50
.—
7.25
13.50
2.00
5.00
17.50
83.00
14.25
8.00
5.50
.—
12.00
5.00
5.00
18.00
77.75
10.00
7.25
15.25
6.50
.—
14.00
2.00
5.00
18.50
72.00
Gordon Rubber
17.00
11.25
18.00
.—
15.75
8.00
.—
0.00
.—
70.00
Phone Charge
7.50
14.25
12.50
.—
.—
10.00
5.00
5.00
14.00
68.25
Curtiss-Ryan Honda, Inc.
6.00
7.25
8.00
.—
11.25
13.00
2.00
0.00
16.00
63.50
Valley United Way
.—
11.25
.—
.—
11.25
.—
2.00
5.00
22.00
51.50
Rubber Supplies
.—.
.—
.—
.—
17.00
.—
.—
5.00
.—
22.00
Chamber of Commerce
.—
.—
12.50
.—
.—
.—
.—
5.00
.—
17.50
Birmingham Group
—7—
Nonprofit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #60
Ansonia, CT 06401
Valley United Way
serving Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton
75 Liberty Street, PO Box 418
Ansonia, CT 06401-0418
Phone: (203) 735-9331
Fax: (203) 732-8831
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.valleyunitedway.org
what matters.™
2004-05 Campaign Receives
a Jump Start
Jean Stevenson of
United Illuminating is
a regular visitor to
Valley United Way as
she has been a volunteer for both the
marketing and allocations committee,
but a recent visit
brightened the day
considerably for
everyone. Jean
Jean Stevenson of The United Illuminating Company
arrived
bearing UI’s
presents UI’s corporate donation of $45,000 to
corporate
donation
Jack Walsh of the Valley United Way
of $45,000, making
it the first major gift to this year’s campaign which will officially
kickoff in September.
United Illuminating has always been a very strong supporter of the
Valley United Way, and it has made the largest corporate donation
to the campaign for the last several years. This year’s gift is
$5,000 more than last years, which is a 12.5% increase. Mike
Marcinek, Campaign Chairman said “United Illuminating and their
employees have been tremendous supporters for years. We hope
their early donation will serve as an example for others to follow.
Their dollars and direct involvement of their employees in community activities make them an outstanding example of good corporate citizenship.” ■
New Partner Agency:
Shelton Safe Home
Each year, area nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply
to the Valley United Way for funding. After an intense screening
process, volunteers carefully select organizations they feel will
provide the best service and programs to Valley families and
workers. New this year, is the Shelton Safe Home, a program that
houses up to 12 children from three to twelve years old, who have
been removed from their homes by the Department of Children
and Families due to abuse and/or neglect.
Shelton Safe Home is a six-bedroom home, located in a quiet,
residential neighborhood where a staff of trained professionals
provides a safe, warm and nurturing environment for the children.
The average length of stay is 45 days, after which the children are
either reunited with a family member or a placed in a foster home.
Safe Home, a nonprofit child guidance agency, is part of Family
& Children’s Aid, Inc. which is located in Danbury. ■