United Way of Southeastern Connecticut hosted its Community Celebration event to recognize local businesses, organizations, and volunteers for their outstanding engagement efforts that positively impact Southeastern Connecticut. Four nonprofit agencies, all of which are United Way partner programs, also shared with the audience their client success stories that United Way donations help make possible.
The Celebration was held at and sponsored by Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation/Foxwoods Resort Casino so that no donor dollars were used towards the event.
Dina Sears-Graves, President and CEO of United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, welcomed the crowd saying, “Thank you for your engagement with United Way, and for helping to bring our mission to life by the support and work you’re doing every day in New London County. You are an inspiration to us.”
Marie-Clare Peakman, Principal of Pfizer Ventures and United Way Board Chair, noted, “The past two years have certainly been challenging at times, but always bursting with excitement, fun, and innovative ways to engage with our community. This year, we’ve been bringing our mission to life in so many ways.
“We’ve been really digging into our own experiences,” continued Peakman, “To tell the story of why we passionately support United Way… All of you are here today for reason. And I challenge you to consider how you bring those words and your work to life to help those in need and show you Live United.”
A series of honors were announced and/or presented at the Celebration. Some of the recipients include: Dime Bank; Norwich Public Schools; Preston Public Schools; Norwich Public Utilities; and United Cerebral Palsy of Eastern CT.
Dime Bank received United Way’s highest honor, the Chairman’s Award of Excellence. “Our team here at Dime Bank is honored to have earned the ‘Chairman’s Award of Excellence’ from United Way of Southeastern Connecticut,” said Nick Caplanson, President and CEO of Dime Bank. “At Dime we are proud to be strongly anchored in the communities we serve and continue to put our employees, customers and communities at the forefront of everything we do.”
Click here to view a complete list of award winners.
A speaker representing an agency in each of United Way’s four impact areas – Basic Needs, Community Wellness, Promoting Independence, and Thriving Children -- shared stories on how their work is making a difference in our community, thanks in part to United Way donations. The speakers were:
- Rachel Levy from Jewish Federation of Eastern CT (Basic Needs);
- Wendy Yagarich from Madonna Place (Community Wellness);
- Lynn Reichart from Child and Family Agency of Southeastern CT (Thriving Children); and
- Kathy Allen from Thames River Community Service (Promoting Independence).
United Way operates the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center which provides food to a network of free emergency food programs in New London County and a Mobile Pantry, at no cost to those in need. United Way supports 2-1-1 Connecticut for free information and referral 24/7 and Project Warm-up for one-time, emergency heating assistance. Visit United Way online at www.uwsect.org.
Original source can be found here.
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