Two national groups fighting cancer have named local executives to lead regional efforts.
David P. Hess, president of Pratt & Whitney, has been named a vice chair of the New England Chapter of CEOs Against Cancer.
Hess will lead an American Cancer Society volunteer forum of CEOs from New England-headquartered Fortune 1,000 companies and organizations with 1,000 or more employees. It works to improve the health of employees, organizations, and surrounding communities by raising their awareness about how to stay well, get well, find cures, and fight back against cancer.
He will help direct the chapter in aggregating unique insights to address cancer’s impact on the workforce, and in working to improve employee health and workplace productivity and to reduce organizational health care costs.
Christa Allen, marketing and sponsorship director for Westfarms Mall, will serve as the chair of the 18th annual Susan G. Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure. In her second consecutive year as chair, she will be assisted by two honorary chairs — Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and Richard J. Graziano, president, publisher and CEO of the Hartford Courant.
Approximately 15,000 Connecticut residents are expected at Bushnell Park June 4, including more than 500 survivors who come together at the Race for the Cure each year. The event raises funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrate breast cancer survivorship and honor those who have lost their battle with the disease.
In 2010, the Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure raised more than $830,000, which was invested in Connecticut-based breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs and national research initiatives.
Foodshare Walk is May 1
The Hartford and the Chase Family Foundations of Hartford are the lead sponsors for the 28th edition of the Foodshare Walk Against Hunger.
The walk is a benefit for Foodshare and the more than 300 programs the food pantry operation serves. As many as 3,000 walkers will step off at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, at plaza in front of The Hartford Financial Services Group, 690 Asylum Ave. in Hartford. Check-in starts at 1 p.m.
Last year, more than 4,000 walkers and contributors helped Foodshare beat its goal of $500,000, providing support for more than 37 local agencies. This year’s goal is $530,000 which will help provide food to 128,000 hungry neighbors.
For more information, visit www.foodshare.org.
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MetLife volunteers repair home
Rebuilding Together Hartford and 50 local volunteers from MetLife will team up April 30 to help repair the Hartford home of a local veteran in need.
In addition to funding Rebuilding Together Hartford, MetLife Foundation aims to assist veterans nationwide with similar projects in other communities, which will result in a $135,000 national investment in Rebuilding Together.
The Rebuilding Together and MetLife teams will work together to make necessary electrical upgrades, install new lighting, repair loose chimney bricks, repair basement stairs, replace deck railings, and perform spring yard cleaning.
Rebuilding Together Hartford is part of Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing significant and critical repair and renovation services at no cost to those in need. Rebuilding Together renovates and repairs nearly 10,000 homes and nonprofit facilities annually.
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Tutoring campaign begins
ConnectiKids Inc., a Hartford-based youth development organization, has launched its $25 for Tutoring campaign, a new fund raising effort — with a goal of $25,000 — designed to raise awareness and money for the organization’s innovative volunteer-based tutoring program. Through partnerships with area corporations, colleges, government departments, faith-based groups and high schools, ConnectiKids connects 250 Hartford children from West Middle and M.D. Fox Elementary Schools with volunteer tutors for weekly one-on-one academic assistance throughout the school year.
Dollars raised through the $25 for Tutoring campaign, which runs through May, will be used to provide program supplies, enhance program technology and cover transportation costs to partner tutoring sites.
“Although the program is free to participating students, it costs our organization about $25 per student for each tutoring session,” said John Prescod, ConnectiKids’ executive director. ConnectiKids’ 250 volunteer tutors collectively provide an estimated 10,000 hours of tutoring each year.
For information, visit www.ct-kids.org.
YWCA BENEFIT DRAWS CROWD
The YWCA’s 16th annual In the Company of Women Luncheon drew more than 1,000 to the Connecticut Convention Center on Apr. 6. Proceeds from the event benefited YWCA Hartford Region’s programs and services. Keynote speaker was Lee Woodruff, author and advocate. Pictured is Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, speaking to the crowd. Behind her are event co-chairs Lizabeth H. Zlatkus, left, executive vice president and chief risk officer for The Hartford, and Lisa West, director of provider services for Aetna Better Health and a board member of YWCA Hartford Region.
