Susan Agamy, Patrick Charmel, Mike Marcinek and Fred Ortoli spoke to the management team at Griffin Hospital.

Though the campaign doesn't officially kick off until the reception at Griffin Hospital on September 30, some early campaigns are already paving the way to success. As the summer winds down, campaign season gears up for the Valley United Way with Derby, Seymour and Shelton schools busy conducting their employee campaigns. And Griffin Hospital is not waiting for the Kickoff either as their campaign got off to an early start with a presentation to the management team and United Way participation in an employee fair.

Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Area Congregations Together, was the guest speaker at Griffin's Management presentation. Besides telling the story of the agency's work with the homeless and hungry, she also thanked Griffin for the incredible food donation that they made earlier this year.

Valley United Way Board Chair Mike Marcinek and Campaign Chair Fred Ortoli also spoke to the group before Griffin President Patrick Charmel spoke to the group about Griffin's leadership role in the community and the importance of the United Way campaign.

Valley United Way also participated in Griffin's Employee Fair manning a booth with the support of several funded agencies helping to tell the United Way story. Griffin also showcased the raffle prizes that are part of this year's campaign including a large HDTV. And how did the campaign do? Terrific!!! It was up over 30% to more than $26,500! Thank you Griffin.

Some of our school volunteers. Click images for larger pictures.

In Seymour, Superintendant of Schools, MaryAnne Mascolo, spoke of the importance of the United Way in the community and the difference pledges make to their agencies.  She also noted that the agencies provide necessary programs to enhance the behavioral health of all students. The message hit home as the campaign increased 23% to $9,500!

In Shelton, MC Lorraine Rosner, former advisor to the High School Volunteer Council, gave a plug for United Way followed by the new school representatives Sandie Zuraw and Kathy Riddle. Kathy stated that the 2009 Shelton campaign would be dedicated to the late Ed Morocco who was the campaign chairman in Shelton for the last decade! Superintendant Freeman Burr concluded by urging all faculty and staff to participate in the United Way campaign. The results were incredible!! Giving was up 67% to over $20,000 - and they are still counting with results from a dress down day for faculty members still to be counted!

And finally in Derby, Steve Tracy, superintendant of schools, spoke of the importance United Way has in the community and asked his entire staff to pledge $1 per week over the year to enhance programs supported by United Way. 

This school year sees the Derby and Seymour school systems with representatives in most school buildings to assist with pledge collection and distributing information on other events sponsored by United Way.  We would like to thank Nancy Maleri, Betsy Seabury, Cathy Pomeroy, Kelly Foley, Donna Pysz and Kathy Brown from the Derby schools as well as Sue Duke, Darlene O’Callaghan, Alison Cunningham, Lucille McGinn, Pat Sabatini, Judy Laudati, Roxanne Lindgren and Karen Wilczewski from Seymour for their assistance!  We greatly appreciate the time and effort they dedicate to their respective campaigns.

CAMPAIGN UNDERWRITERS

Coordinated Transportation Solutions, Inc. * Dworken, Hillman, Lamorte & Sterczala, PC * Falcioni Painting * Fletcher Thompson * Fred Ortoli Photography * Gexpro * Inform Printing * Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P. * The Kerite Company * Riverview and Edward F. Adzima Funeral Homes * Venman & Co. LLC * The W.E Bassett Company * Webster Bank

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