• United Way and NBC 30’s Joy of Sharing Collects 15,000 Toys
• Button Up Connecticut Warms 35,000 
  Area Residents
• United Way Community Campaign Announces Record Breaking Results
• Button Up Connecticut Begins Eighth Year of Coat Collection for the Needy
• Fund-Raising Goal Announced for 2000 United Way Community Campaign
• Thousands of Volunteers Provide a Day of Caring
• Hartford Marathon Team Relay Challenge
• Youth & Families Volunteer Opportunities - 2000 Youth Volunteer Directory
• Courage Award Presented to Patty Haynie
• Hartford Students Collect Pennies to Fund Community Programs

United Way and NBC 30’s Joy of Sharing Collects 15,000 Toys

United Way and NBC 30’s tenth annual Joy of Sharing program had another successful year collecting over 15,000 toys. Joy of Sharing provides toys for Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day to local families and children in need. As toys were collected, they were distributed by volunteers to more than 160 local nonprofit organizations. In 1999, more than 12,000 toys were collected. Additional 2000 Joy of Sharing sponsors included KISS 95.7, Barrieau Moving & Storage Company, Sears stores, Gem Jewelry and CIGNA.

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Button Up Connecticut Warms 35,000 Area Residents
(Hartford, CT) More than 35,000 coats collected through this year’s Button Up Connecticut coat drive were distributed to individuals on Monday, December 4, 2000, at the Hartford Civic Center. Thousands of people waited in a line that wrapped around the Civic Center so they could exchange a voucher for a warm winter coat.

In addition, five personal computers were awarded in a random drawing to local schools and churches. Gerber Scientific donated the PCs as an incentive for schools and churches to collect coats. The winners were St. Christopher’s, East Hartford; RHAM High School, Hebron; JFK Elementary, Windsor; St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Coventry; and Oak Grove Montessori, Mansfield.

Button Up Connecticut collected coats from area companies, individuals, schools, and community organizations as part of the annual collaborative effort of Siracusa Moving & Storage Co., Gerber Scientific, United Way of the Capital Area, NBC 30, and Urban League of Greater Hartford. More than 150 local health and human service organizations, churches, and area shelters distributed vouchers notifying individuals as to where and when they could receive a winter coat. During Button Up Connecticut’s eight years of operation, more than 70,000 winter coats and jackets have been collected for individuals in need.

Organizations that are interested in running a coat collection drive next year can contact Carol Arcata or Tara Fitzsimons at Siracusa Moving & Storage Company, (860) 225-9144.

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United Way Community Campaign Announces Record Breaking Results
On November 15, 2000, Michael G. Morris, 2000 Campaign Chairman and chairman, president and chief executive officer of Northeast Utilities, announced that the United Way Community Campaign raised $25,662,337 surpassing its goal of $25,500,000 announced in September. More than 500 supporters were on hand at a noontime event held at Union Station Transportation Center in Hartford, to learn the results of the annual fund-raising effort.

The results announced represent a quarter of a million dollar increase over the dollars announced a year ago. "One of our goals was to increase participation both within companies that currently run a campaign and to engage more companies in our community in support of this annual effort," stated Mr. Morris. "While campaign details are still coming in, there have been many examples of increased employee participation at companies such as HSB Group, Phoenix and at Northeast Utilities. In addition, 70% more dollars were raised from new campaigns in 2000 than in 1999."

The emcee of the event was Logan Byrnes, news anchor at NBC30 Connecticut News. Assisting the campaign chairman in presenting the results from the 2000 campaign, were children from the Hartford Street Youth Project, a program of Catholic Charities/Catholic Family Services, Inc., an agency supported through the Community Campaign.

Through the Community Campaign, individuals can support programs and services to meet critical needs in the Greater Hartford Area including the New Britain and Windham communities. Last year, more than $25.4 million was raised through the Campaign providing services for more than 300,000 people in need.

Children from the Hartford Street Youth Project assist Michael G. Morris, 2000 Campaign Chairman, as he announces that the United Way Community Campaign raised $25,662,337.

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Button Up Connecticut Begins Eighth Year of Coat Collection for the Needy
Helping someone in need this fall is as simple as cleaning out your closet. The annual Button Up Connecticut coat drive is now underway to make the winter months a "warmer" time for many men, women, and children throughout the Capital Area.

Button Up Connecticut is a collaborative effort of Siracusa Moving & Storage Company, Gerber Scientific, United Way of the Capital Area, NBC 30, and the Urban League of Greater Hartford. Now in its eighth year of operation, Button Up Connecticut has provided more than 70,000 gently used winter coats and jackets to individuals in need. Approximately, 22,000 coats were distributed through last year’s program, and this year’s goal is to raise an equal number of coats. The demand for children’s coats and adult coats in larger sizes continues to be strong. Individuals and organizations wishing to donate coats or jackets can drop them off at one of six area locations (list of coat drop-off locations below).

Companies are encouraged to run employee coat drives by contacting Carol Arcata or Tara Fitzsimons at Siracusa Moving & Storage Company, (860) 225-9144.

Coats will be distributed in early December at the Hartford Civic Center.

Coat Drop-Off Locations

Hartford 

United Way of the Capital Area, 30 Laurel Street, (860) 493-6800
Urban League of Greater Hartford, 1229 Albany Ave., (860) 527-0147

New Britain 

Siracusa Moving & Storage Co., 600 East Street, (860) 225-9144
United Way of New Britain & Berlin, 29 Russell St., (860) 223-9294

South Windsor 

Gerber Scientific, Inc., 83 Gerber Rd. West, (860) 644-1551

Storrs

UConn Co-op, 81 Fairfield Rd, (860) 486-2967

Tolland 

Gerber Technology, 24 Industrial Park Road West, (860) 871-8082

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Fund-Raising Goal Announced for 2000 United Way Community Campaign
The 2000 United Way Community Campaign and ninth annual Day of Caring got off to a rousing start on the morning of September 7, 2000 as campaign chairman, Michael G. Morris, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Northeast Utilities, ascended United Way's building in a CL&P "cherry picker" bucket to reveal the campaign goal. Mr. Morris stood high among the audience as he unveiled the banner that announced the 2000 fund-raising goal of $25,500,000.

"The health and human service agencies supported through the Community Campaign are vital to the quality of life in our community," Mr. Morris told the crowd of over 100 campaign volunteers, agency representatives and community leaders. "The dollars we raise help people become healthier, self-sufficient, contributing members of our community."

The United Way Community Campaign is an opportunity for individuals to support programs and services that meet critical needs in the Greater Hartford Area including the New Britain and Windham communities. Last year, more than $25.4 million was raised through the Community Campaign providing services for more than 300,000 local people in need. Click here to learn more about the campaign.

Campaign Chairman Michael G. Morris, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Northeast Utilities gives a thumbs up before ascending United Way's building in a CL&P "cherry picker" bucket to reveal the campaign goal.

NBC 30 Anchor Natalie Morales emceed the morning kick off festivities. NBC 30 was also a media partner for the ninth annual Day of Caring.

Campaign Chairman Michael G. Morris stood high among the audience as he unveiled the banner that announced the 2000 fund raising goal of $25,500,000.

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Thousands of Volunteers Provide a Day of Caring
Nearly 3,000 volunteers representing more than 70 local companies lent a hand at more than 240 nonprofit organizations throughout Greater Hartford on September 7, 2000 for Day of Caring IX. Activities included reading or doing crafts with children, serving lunch at a shelter, painting or yard work at an agency, visiting with senior citizens, and planting a garden.

Day of Caring gives employees the chance to see first-hand how their contributions through the United Way Community Campaign are making a difference in the communities in which they work or live. Since 1992, Day of Caring has marked the start of the United Way Community Campaign. The event has grown from 430 volunteers the first year, to nearly 3,000 in 2000.

Campaign Chairman Michael G. Morris, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Northeast Utilities lent a hand to employees from the Carrier Corporation as the volunteered their time at Salvation Army's The Right Place. More than 70 companies were involved with Day of Caring.

William Newton and Katherine Bazquez from TV Telemundo called a Bingo game for seniors involved in Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters' Foster Grandparent Program. Telemundo was a media partner for the ninth annual Day of Caring.

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Hartford Marathon Team Relay Challenge
United Way Community Campaign Named Designated Charity of the Hartford Marathon Team Relay Challenge
Lace up your sneakers and get ready to go the distance for our community! The United Way Community Campaign has been named the designated charity for the Hartford Marathon's Team Relay Challenge being held on October 14, 2000. It's an opportunity for runners to do what they love, while raising money for the United Way Community Campaign and receiving public recognition for their efforts.

By collecting pledges, you will be supporting more than 125 health and human service agencies throughout the Greater Hartford region. Individuals can form their own teams or companies can use this special event as part of their in-house community campaign. Teams that reach established levels of giving will receive recognition in The Hartford Courant and each member will receive a commemorative race wind shirt.

Teams will also be invited to a special pre-race pasta supper featuring a guest celebrity host and the team that raises the most money for the 2000 Community Campaign will be recognized at the Marathon awards ceremony on October 14.

It's a win-win opportunity for runners and the United Way Community Campaign so pound the pavement for a good cause! For more information or to receive a brochure about how you can get involved, call Suzanne Taigen at United Way, (860) 493-1105 or e-mail to staigen@uwcact.org.

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Youth & Families Volunteer Opportunities helps kids get involved in their community
School's out for summer...and now what? The summer can be very long for parents of children in the pre-teen and early teen years before they can get a summer job. Volunteering time at a local nonprofit organization may be just the activity to fill summer days and to gain valuable experience helping others.

United Way of the Capital Area has published its 2000 Youth Volunteer Directory. The Directory contains over 80 volunteer opportunities, arranged by town, targeted for youth ages 10 and older. Descriptions of the volunteer opportunities, appropriate age range, and contact information for each organization are included. Also included are general tips and a checklist to help youth decide which opportunity is right for them. The 47-page booklet is available for free by calling (860) 493-1102.

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Courage Award presented to Patty Haynie by United Way Community Campaign
On June 14, 2000, the United Way Community Campaign presented the seventh annual Courage Award to Patty Haynie, an Enfield resident and member of the Second Wind Clubhouse associated with North Central Counseling Services, a United Way member agency.

Patty has a mental illness for which she has been receiving both counseling and rehabilitative services from North Central Counseling Services for approximately nine years. Since that time, Patty has overcome her disability by successfully re-engaging in an active social life and re-establishing herself in the workforce. Patty took on the role of operating the Clubhouse store as her work project. This small shop sells items such as coffee and snacks. Patty is responsible for things like ordering supplies, and hiring and managing staff. This experience helps Patty with her recovery by giving her a sense of accomplishment and pride.

In addition to her work in the Clubhouse store, Patty is heavily involved with North Central's Consumer Satisfaction Survey to improve services for clients. She is also currently working on an initiative to involve other Connecticut clubhouses in the creation of a "Recovery Quilt" in honor of people living with mental illness.

"I feel very honored and proud to be receiving such a special recognition from the United Way," says Patty, "I hope that others who suffer from mental illness may learn from my experience and not be afraid to face the challenges before them."

The Second Wind Clubhouse is a program that provides socialization, structure, support, counseling and vocational training to adults suffering from mental illness and to those working toward their recovery. Mental illness and depression often makes individuals isolate themselves, so the Clubhouse is open daily so clients can socialize with others. The program provides support services such as individual counseling, vocational training, support groups and therapy, and recreational programming.

"Patty is a great example of how a person with mental illness can overcome obstacles and work toward their recovery," says Patricia Treoloar, Director of Rehabilitative Services at Second Wind Clubhouse.

The Second Wind Clubhouse is a program of North Central Counseling Services, one of more than 125 health and human service agencies funded through the United Way Community Campaign. Last year, more than $25 million was raised to help more than 300,000 people in the 40-town Capital Region. United Way created the Courage Award in 1994 to recognize one individual who was triumphed over adversity through the assistance of a United Way Community Campaign-funded agency.

Past Courage Award Recipients

1994		Harrison "Harry" McKinstry Greater Hartford East Seal Rehabilitation Center
1995		Margaret Khoury East Hartford Visiting Nurse Association
1996		Janet Norton American Red Cross-Central Connecticut Chapter
1997		Randy Moody Connecticut Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse
1998		Joe Roberto American Red Cross-Greater Hartford Chapter
1999		Christopher Montes Lyme Disease Foundation

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Hartford Students Collect Pennies to Fund Community Programs
On Wednesday, June 7, 2000, Hartford students gathered at United Way of the Capital Area in celebration of Penny Harvest, a student-led program to collect pennies to help fund community programs that make positive contributions to the Hartford region. Approximately 55 children and adults participated in the Ton-A-Thon, sorting coins and preparing them to be counted. Approximately $5,000 in pennies and other coins were collected!

After raising the money for Penny Harvest, students will work with teachers to identify community issues and allocate dollars to specific programs they want to support. Initially, the youth have expressed interest in allocating funds to homeless and hungry children, children with cancer, retired people, global relief efforts and children visiting parents in prison.

This year, Penny Harvest has been a pilot program in three Hartford middle schools and adult education. Plans are underway to bring Penny Harvest into every Hartford school next year including elementary, middle and high schools. The effort is led by the Hartford Public Schools with support from United Way of the Capital Area, Fleet Bank and Common Cents New York, a non-profit agency who created the Penny Harvest program.