The 2009 United Way Community Campaign kicked off on Friday, Sept. 11 when Chief Charles Teale of the Hartford Fire Department unveiled this year’s fundraising goal of $25.5 million. Teale, who was lifted high above the crowd in the bucket of a fire department truck to reveal the goal, is one of three co-chairs overseeing the 2009 campaign effort. He is joined by Shaun Mathews, executive vice president at ING and Jennifer Rizzotti, head coach, University of Hartford women’s basketball.
Now in its 85th year, the annual United Way Community Campaign organizes fund-raising campaigns in more than 900 workplaces throughout its 40-town area to support programs and services of United Way of the Central and Northeastern Connecticut and Community Health Charities of New England. Details of how campaign funds change lives and improve community conditions can be found at www.unitedwayinc.org
In the region, the 18th annual United Way Day of Caring also recently took place and more than 5,500 employees from 67 local companies stood up for their community by volunteering. This marks the largest number of Day of Caring volunteers ever, a 6 percent increase over last year. There were more than 340 project sites at nonprofit agencies throughout central and northeastern Connecticut. Activities scheduled include indoor and outdoor painting projects, reading to children, helping the elderly with housework, and bowling with intellectually disabled adults.
A $50,000 grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is helping fund a move by the Hockanum Valley Community Council to new quarters in two buildings at 27-29 Naek Road in Vernon. All of the social service agency’s services except for the Good Cents Treasures thrift store will move within the next few months. The thrift store will remain at its 30 Lafayette Square location in Vernon.
The agency, which has been located in Rockville for 24 years, has seen its program double in size in the last seven years.
Thanks to a $10,000 grant from TD Banknorth’s TD Charitable Foundation, The Children’s Museum will bring more science education to students in East Hartford, Hartford, Waterbury, and other priority schools throughout the state. The grant will support science education through outreach programs taught directly in the schools, as well as classes and activities at The Children’s Museum.
The Tabor House 15th Annual Giant Tag Sale/Auction set a new record. The recent event, held at the Convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph on Park Road in West Hartford, brought in more than $16,000 to benefit the Tabor Houses in Hartford-residences for formerly homeless men and women living with HIV/AIDS.
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