• Coats for Kids Keeping Connecticut Residents Warm (12/5/01)
• United Way and NBC 30 Kick Off 11th Annual Joy of Sharing Toy Drive
• United Way Community Campaign Announces Record Breaking Campaign Results (11/14/01)
• Red Cross Agrees to Sept. 11th Database (10/25/01)
• E-Mail Scam: September 11th Fund Trojan Horse (10/24/01)
• United Way and IBM Narrowing the Digital Divide (10/12/01)
• 2001 United Way Community Campaign Kicks Off (9/6/01)
• United Way Launches Volunteer Solutions Web Site (9/6/01)
• Hartford Marathon 5K Team Challenge (8/20/01)
• Countdown to the Best Campaign Ever! (8/1/01)
• Courage Award presented to Addie D’Agui (6/22/01)
• 2001 United Way Community Campaign Leaders Announced (4/11/01)
• 2000 Community Service Award Announced; Outgoing Chairman recognized at 76th Annual Meeting (3/1/01)
• Dial-A-Ride Program Provides 198 Free Rides Home this New Year’s Eve

Coats for Kids Keeping Connecticut Residents Warm

Click here for coat collection locations!

Helping someone in need this fall is as simple as cleaning out your closet. The annual Coats for Kids drive is now underway to make the winter months a "warmer" time for many men, women and children throughout the Capital Area.

Coats for Kids is a collaborative effort of United Way of the Capital Area, Swiss Cleaners and WRCH-FM Lite 100.5. Now in its 15th year of operation, Coats for Kids has provided thousands of winter coats and jackets to individuals in need. The demand for children’s coats and adult coats in larger sizes continues to be strong. Individuals wishing to donate coats or jackets can drop them off at one of 13 area locations beginning Monday, December 31^st (click here for a list of coat collection locations).

Swiss Cleaners will clean new or gently used winter coats dropped off at its store locations. The coats will then be delivered to nonprofit health and human service agencies throughout the 40-town Capital region for distribution to those in need.

Coats for Kids Collection Sites (by town)

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United Way and NBC 30 Kick Off 11th Annual 
Joy of Sharing Toy Drive

Click here for toy collection locations!

NBC 30 and United Way are teaming up to collect toys for the eleventh annual Joy of Sharing holiday toy drive. Joy of Sharing provides toys for Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day to local families and children in need. This year’s toy collection will continue until December 14, 2001.

As toys are collected, they will be distributed by volunteers to more than 160 local nonprofit organizations. These groups include Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, YMCA/YWCA, Catholic Family Services, the Urban League, child care centers, churches, and many other community organizations. Gifts are especially needed for youngsters ages 6 to 14. Hand-held games, sports equipment, toilet articles, cosmetics, calculators, small radios, etc. are popularly requested by this age group.

Individuals wishing to donate toys may drop them off through December 14^th at any Connecticut Sears store, Bob’s Discount Furniture store, Gem Jewelry, or other Joy of Sharing collection sites listed below.

Joy of Sharing Collection Sites (by town)

In 2000, more than 13,000 toys were collected and distributed to families in need through Joy of Sharing. Additional 2001 Joy of Sharing sponsors include: KISS 95.7, Barrieau Moving & Storage Company, Sears stores, Gem Jewelry, Marlborough Barn, Creative Toy Makers and CIGNA.

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United Way Community Campaign Announces 
Record Breaking Campaign Results

James C. Smith, 2001 Campaign Chairman and president and chief executive officer of Webster Bank and Webster Financial Corporation, announced on November 14, 2001, that the United Way Community Campaign has raised the most dollars in their 77-year history. The total amount raised is $26,560,287 surpassing the goal of $25,700,000 announced in September. More than 500 supporters were on hand at a noontime event held at Pratt & Whitney’s Hangar in East Hartford to learn the results of the largest annual fund-raising effort in the state.

Campaign Chairman James C. Smith, with the help of the 2001 Class of Loaned Executives, reveals this year's record-breaking result.

"We can feel proud that there are so many local heroes in our community who recognize the importance of having a strong system of health and human service agencies," stated Mr. Smith. "Our network of agencies are the heart and soul of our community, and now more than ever, they will be there to keep our community strong."

The emcee of the event was Susan Christensen, news anchor of the Fox 61 News at Ten. Helping to celebrate at the event were The Screamin’ Eagles, a Pratt & Whitney employee band, and Drumming Full Circle, a "djembe" drumming group from Our Piece of the Pie, a program of Southend Community Services, which is funded 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 $25.6 million was raised through the Campaign providing services for more than 300,000 people in need.

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Red Cross Agrees to Sept. 11th Database

The American Red Cross has tentatively agreed to take part in the creation of a confidential database that would track the distribution of donations raised after the events of September 11th. The database will be created to assure that no survivors or victims' relatives will receive duplicate aid for the same services from more than one charity. Announced last night by Eliot L. Spitzer, the New York State attorney general, the agreement is an effort to coordinate the distribution of more than $1 billion in charity. The Board of Governors for Red Cross are slated to meet this weekend to approve the plan.

Access to the database will be strictly limited to groups providing charity relief to terrorism victims, and will be managed by a major accounting firm, as yet not selected. The proposed database will be modeled after one used successfully by charities after the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City. 

Joshua Gotbaum, chief executive of the September 11th fund, endorsed the creation of the database on 10/24/01. 

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E-Mail Scam: September 11th Fund Trojan Horse

With the increased visibility of United Way since the September 11th attacks, the United Way name is occasionally being used as part of fraudulent solicitations and, for the first time known, as part of a computer virus. 

United Way learned this morning of a new scam being passed around the Internet through electronic mail. A message, purporting to be from the American Red Cross, solicits donations to the September 11th Fund. If the recipient opens an attached program, he or she is presented with an option to make a donation. Any information entered, including a credit card number, is sent back to an unknown Web site. Needless to say, neither United Way or the American Red Cross are involved in this mailing in any way. 

Current indications are that this e-mail Trojan horse is not in wide circulation nor is it expected to be; however, it has been documented as being loose on the Internet, and a few people may receive it. United Way of America has contacted the appropriate law enforcement agencies, the American Red Cross, the United Way of New York City, and other key organizations and will be following the developments. The American Red Cross is also working with the FBI and will be issuing a press release. 

For full details of the message itself, visit Symantec’s page at: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/septer.trojan.html.

To learn more about the September 11th fund, please click here.

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United Way and IBM Narrowing the Digital Divide

United Way and  IBM Corporation are helping to narrow the digital divide in our community. After receiving a $13,000 IBM Technology Grant, United Way distributed nine state-of-the-art computer systems to the following local agencies: Children in Placement Connecticut, Inc., Hartford United Sports Club, Jewish Family Service of Greater Hartford, VNA Healthcare, Inc., Windham Area Interfaith Ministry and Windham Regional Community Council.

IBM’s contribution is part of the company’s annual nation-wide technology donation program, this year valued at more than $5 million. The computers are used to support agencies that provide services such as early learning programs, youth education and development programs, literacy and job training, and support for the disabled/disadvantaged. 

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2001 United Way Community Campaign Kicks Off 

The 2001 United Way Community Campaign and tenth annual Day of Caring got off to a rousing start on Thursday, September 6, 2001, as campaign chairman, James C. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Webster Bank and Webster Financial Corporation, ascended United Way’s building in a CL&P "cherry picker" bucket to reveal the campaign goal. Mr. Smith stood high among the audience as he unveiled the banner that announced the 2001 fund-raising goal of $25,700,000.

James C. Smith prepares to ascend the United Way building in a Connecticut Light and Power "cherry-picker" to unveil the Community Campaign goal of $25.7 million.

"What an exciting day this is to see thousands of volunteers connecting with our local agencies which deliver vital healthcare and human services to local people in a cost effective way," Mr. Smith told the crowd of over 100 campaign volunteers, agency representatives and community leaders. "Over 250,000 people in the Capital Area generously support over 300,000 beneficiaries who receive the opportunity to move forward, to live with dignity. Our potential is far greater and I am confident, based on the energy we see here today, that we will exceed our ambitious goal of $25.7 million in support of the United Way Community Campaign. The dollars we raise will help people become healthier, self-sufficient, contributing members of our community."

The morning also kicked off the tenth annual Day of Caring. Nearly 3,000 volunteers representing more than 70 companies were expected to lend a hand at more than 250 project sites throughout the 40-town Capital Region. Activities included reading or working on crafts with children, serving lunch at a shelter, painting or yard work at an agency, visiting with senior citizens, and planting a garden.

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, the Community Campaign reached and exceeded the goal of $25.5 million providing services for more than 300,000 local people in need.

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United Way Launches Volunteer Solutions Web Site

In celebration of our tenth anniversary of Day of Caring, we are celebrating with a fabulous gift to the community! On Thursday, September 6, we launched Volunteer Solutions, a new online database of volunteer opportunities for individuals and local non-profit agencies to use year round. With the help of a powerful search engine, individuals can locate a geographically targeted opportunity that matches their social interests, skills and time requirements. Volunteers can register their preferences and create multiple volunteer profiles so they can quickly and easily search the database. The new site is also useful to volunteers who want to do research about the organization before volunteering. All non-profit agencies in the Greater Hartford region are invited to post their volunteer opportunities via this site. Click here to visit Volunteer Solutions!

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Hartford Marathon 5K Team Challenge

United Way Community Campaign Named Designated Charity of the Hartford Marathon 5K Team 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 5K Team Challenge being held on Saturday, October 13, 2001. 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.

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

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Countdown to the Best Campaign Ever! (8/1/01)

On September 6, 2001, friends of the United Way Community Campaign will celebrate the kickoff of the 2001 Community Campaign. James C. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Webster Financial Corporation and Webster Bank and the 2001 United Way Community Campaign chairman will announce the fundraising goal for the 2001 Community Campaign. September 6 will also mark the tenth anniversary of Day of Caring and ten years of volunteers making a difference in our community. We hope to see you on September 6!        For more information on our campaign kickoff click here.

On Friday, June 22, 2001, the United Way Community Campaign presented the eighth annual Courage Award to Addie D’Agui, a West Hartford resident and client of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford, a United Way member agency. The award presentation was held during the lunchtime program of Jumpstart 2001, a training conference for local campaign volunteers, held at The Hartford Club.

James C. Smith, chairman of the 2001 United Way Community Campaign,  presents Addie D'Agui with the 2001 Courage Award.

Addie is an adult student in the basic reading program at Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford (LVGH). Born with Cerebral Palsy, Addie lived in institutions from the time she was three months old. While living in these institutions, she was never given the opportunity to learn to read or write. Since 1997, when she became a client at LVGH, Addie has improved her reading and writing skills. She leaves each class with homework, regularly requesting extra homework from her tutor. For Addie, who is speech impaired, knowing how to read and write provides an important alternate means of expression. "If you really listen to me, I make a lot of sense," she says. "But reading and writing gives me a way to tell my story so that everyone can understand."

Recently, Addie was diagnosed with breast cancer, underwent a mastectomy and has started chemotherapy. However, her attitude in dealing with her cancer is typical of the spirit with which she has approached all the many challenges of her life. "I’m going to beat this and I’m learning a lot from it," she says.

Rather than giving into self-pity or anger, Addie has had the courage to face extreme challenges and even find strength in them. Today she is fulfilling her dream of living independently, and learning to read and write. In fact, she is currently working on her autobiography while working towards her GED. And she is thinking about enrolling in college.

For more than 25 years, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford has been changing the lives of thousands of adults in the Capital area. By teaching adults to read, write and speak English, they are instilling self- confidence and increasing cultural awareness. The keys to the success of the program are the committed volunteers. More than 150 tutors lend their time two hours a week to help more than 500 adults improve their reading and writing.

"Addie inspires all members of our organization including staff, volunteers and fellow students alike," says Barbara Oles, Reading Center Manager at LVGH. "To know Addie is to admire and respect her for her spirit, bravery, determination and self-respect."

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford is 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 has triumphed over adversity through the assistance of a United Way Community Campaign-funded agency. Four judges selected this year’s recipient: William Newton, president of Telemundo, Channel 13 and United Way board member; Claire Feldman, vice president of Fleet Bank, and former board member of Community Health Charities; Lorraine Hritcko, client relations manager at Sherwood International and United Way board member; and Sylvia Gafford Alexander, program director at the UConn School of Social Work and United Way board member.

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2001 United Way Community Campaign Leaders Announced (4/11/01)

On April 11, 2001, volunteer leaders for the 2001 United Way Community Campaign worked with clients of the Greater Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens (HARC). These business and community leaders helped plant flowers and assemble gift baskets for an upcoming HARC fundraiser. HARC is one of the programs funded through the annual campaign. Leading the 2001 Community Campaign is James C. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Webster Financial Corporation and Webster Bank. Click here for a complete listing of the 2001 Community Campaign Volunteer Leadership.

Left: Volunteer leaders of the 2001 United Way Community Campaign gather outside of the Greater Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens (HARC). 

Right: James C. Smith, General Chairman of the 2001 United Way Community Campaign, and a client of HARC pot a flowering plant.

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Community Service Award Announced; Outgoing Chairman Recognized at 76th Annual Meeting (3/1/01)

United Way of the Capital Area hosted its 76^th Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 1, 2001, from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Theater Building located at the Learning Corridor in Hartford.

At the meeting, the 2000 Community Service Award was presented to Susan J. Sappington for her dedication to the spirit of philanthropy and community service. The award is United Way of the Capital Area’s most prestigious recognition and has been presented annually for fifty years.

Mrs. Sappington has been involved with United Way for more than twelve years, serving the board of directors in a variety of leadership roles. She served as secretary of the board for four years, and a member of the executive committee for the past seven years. For more than eight years, Mrs. Sappington has played a major role in strengthening the development program at United Way. Under her volunteer leadership, membership to the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, which recognizes individuals who give $10,000 or more, has quadrupled. The highlight of Mrs. Sappington’s service to United Way was her leadership of the 1998 United Way and Combined Health Appeal Community Campaign as the first woman to chair the campaign. As chairman, she led the state’s largest annual fundraising campaign to record-breaking results - the highest percentage increase year to year in twelve years. Thanks to the more than $23.4 million that she along with her team of community volunteers raised, more than 300,000 men, women and children received the help and hope they needed.

In addition to her work with United Way of the Capital Area, Mrs. Sappington’s list of accomplishments is long. She is a former board member and vice president of the United Way of Connecticut board, former vice president of the Junior League of Hartford, and former chairman of the Catalyst Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Currently, she is a member of the board of trustees of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, board member of the St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center Foundation, and trustee of the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry at St. Patrick’s/St. Anthony Church.

Featured entertainment at the event included two performances by Artists Collective, and a song by the Connecticut Rivers Girl Scout Council Choir.

Board chairman, Samuel C. Hamilton, executive director of the Hartford Economic Development Corporation, called the meeting to order. Mr. Hamilton was recognized for his years of service as chairman of the board before passing the gavel to incoming board chairman, Louis B. Obermeier, partner with Arthur Andersen, LLP.

United Way of the Capital Area provides an opportunity for individuals to support the causes and nonprofit organizations that are important to them. In 2000, the United Way Community Campaign raised $25,662,337 to support hundreds of health and human service organizations in our 40-town region.

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Dial-A-Ride Program Provides 198 Free Rides Home this New Year’s Eve
The number of callers who took advantage of United Way of the Capital Area and Yellow Cab Company’s eleventh annual Dial-A-Ride increased more than 60% this New Year’s. Yellow Cab Company provided 198 free rides home to individuals who felt they had too much to drink.

To date, this collaborative effort of United Way of the Capital Area and Yellow Cab Company has provided more than 1,400 safe rides home since the program’s inception in 1990. Additional support of the eleventh annual program comes from Hartford Distributors of Manchester which distributed approximately 15,000 cards promoting the free service to liquor stores and restaurants throughout Greater Hartford and underwrote the cost of printing the cards.

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