Button Up Connecticut at UConn Football Game
What: Football fans can donate new or gently used winter coats to benefit the 2002 Button Up Connecticut coat drive. Each fan who donates a coat will be entered in a drawing to receive a pair of tickets to a 2003 UConn Football game at the new UConn stadium or a Husky Fan Pack of UConn memorabilia.

When: Saturday, November 2, 2002; 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: The “Fan Festival” on Stadium Road before the University of Connecticut football game; University of Connecticut, Storrs

Who: Windham Region United Way (an affiliate of United Way of the Capital Area) volunteers and University of Connecticut student-athletes will collect the coats

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United Way Teams Up with YWCA for Week Without Violence
United Way of the Capital Area is teaming up with the YWCA of the Hartford Region for the eighth annual Week Without Violence during the week of October 20-26. Thousands of YWCAs across the United States and in more than 40 countries take part in this initiative, which raises awareness and educates the public on violence prevention. The week will feature two free workshops open to the public:

Protecting Our Children
When: Monday, October 21; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: YWCA of the Hartford Region, Broad Street, Hartford
Parents will receive a free Child Identification Kit and other family safety information and resources. The kits are offered by The National Child Identification Program, courtesy of the American Football Coaches Association in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Confronting Violence Against Women
When: Wednesday, October 23; 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Where: YWCA of the Hartford Region, Broad Street, Hartford
R.S.V.P: (860) 756-8225  by October 21
A free self-defense class will be offered to any woman who wishes to participate. The class will be hosted by certified self-defense trainer, Yvette Young.

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Button Up Connecticut Kicks Off Ninth Annual Coat Drive
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, Telemundo, Ellis Park, Windham Area Interfaith Ministry, and the Urban League of Greater Hartford. Now in its ninth year of operation, Button Up Connecticut has provided more than 100,000 gently used winter coats and jackets to individuals in need. More than 30,000 coats were distributed in 2000, and this year’s goal is to raise 50,000. 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 any of the public collection sites below.

Local organizations and schools are encouraged to run their own coat drives. Click here to download the Button Up Connecticut Coat Drive form. For more information, call 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

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

New Haven
United Way of Greater New Haven, 71 Orange Street, (203) 772-2010

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

Waterbury
Abbott Terrace Health Center, 44 Abbott Terrace, (203) 755-4870

Willimantic
Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Windham Area Interfaith Ministry's Loading Dock,
Riverside Drive, (860) 456-7270

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2002 United Way Community Campaign Kicks Off

The 2002 United Way Community Campaign and eleventh annual Day of Caring got off to a rousing start on September 5, 2002, as campaign chairman, Chandler J. Howard, president, Fleet Bank – Connecticut, ascended United Way’s building in a Connecticut Light & Power "cherry picker" bucket to reveal the campaign goal. Mr. Howard stood high among the audience as he unveiled the banner that announced the 2002 fund-raising goal of $27,000,000.

The 2002 United Way Community Campaign got off to a rousing start on September 5, 2002, as campaign chairman, Chandler J. Howard, president, Fleet Bank - Connecticut, ascended United Way’s building in a Connecticut Light & Power "cherry picker" bucket to reveal the campaign goal. Mr. Howard stood high above the audience as he unveiled the banner that announced the 2002 fund-raising goal of $27,000,000. 

"I believe the United Way Community Campaign is the single most important fundraising activity that our community undertakes," Mr. Howard told the crowd of over 150 campaign volunteers, agency representatives and community leaders. "The Community Campaign touches all of us. Many of our friends or family, neighbors or colleagues, maybe even some of us have used services funded through the campaign. Our goal reflects the needs of our community. We’re confident that we can rise to the call and respond to those needs."

The morning event also kicked off the eleventh annual Day of Caring. More than 3,100 volunteers representing 70 companies were expected to lend a hand at more than 250 project sites throughout the 40-town Capital Region. Activities included assembling 1,000 origami doves to be used at a memorial service; reading with children; running a bingo event for seniors; painting and landscaping; sorting donated food; and constructing a memorial 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 raised $26.5 million, exceeding the goal of $25.7 million, providing services for more than 300,000 local people in need.

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Local Agencies Receive New Computers
United Way of the Capital Area and IBM Corporation distributed nine state-of-the-art computer systems to nine local agencies: Boy Scouts of America, Connecticut Rivers Council; Chinese Culture Center; Greater Hartford Jewish Community Center; La Casa De Puerto Rico, Inc.; New Directions of North Central Connecticut, Inc.; Prudence Crandall Center for Women; Salvation Army of Greater Hartford; San Juan Center, Inc.; and the Science Center of Connecticut.

United Way of the Capital Area and community volunteers reviewed applications for the computers, which will support the following types of programs: early childhood education, youth development programs, literacy and job training, and support for the disabled/disadvantaged.

IBM’s contribution is part of the company’s annual nation-wide technology donation program, this year valued at more than $5 million.

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Courage Award presented to two of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan

On Friday, June 14, 2002, the United Way Community Campaign presented the ninth annual Courage Award to Philip Lual Ajok and Abraham Deng, both students at New Britain High School and part of a group of refugees known as the "Lost Boys of the Sudan." The award presentation was held at Jumpstart 2002, a training conference for local campaign volunteers.

Chandler J. Howard, chairman of the 2002 United Way Community Campaign and president of Fleet Bank Connecticut, presented Mr. Ajok and Mr. Deng with the 2002 Courage Award.

After being separated from their parents in their country’s civil war, Mr. Ajok and Mr. Deng went on to endure, as children, 13 years of flight, hunger, rebel attacks, survival from wild animals and harsh conditions in refugee camps before being resettled in Greater Hartford in July 2000 by Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services, a program of Catholic Charities/Catholic Family Services, Inc. In addition to the hardship they suffered in Africa, they have exhibited determination and resolution in adjusting to a new life, language, and culture here in the United States. Now both seniors in high school, they plan to attend college.

Since 1975 Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services has worked to resettle more than 20,000 refugees. The program strives to provide employment to the refugees within four months of their arrival to the United States. English as a second language classes and a food pantry help in the adjustment to a new way of life. Catholic Charities/Catholic Family Services provides many services to the community including youth after-school programs, senior centers, and job training programs.

United Way created the Courage Award in 1994 to recognize those who have triumphed over adversity through the assistance of a United Way Community Campaign-funded agency. Five judges selected this year’s recipient: Pauline Kezer, president of Kezer Consulting and member of the board of directors of Community Health Charities of Connecticut; Lalani Perry, manager of State and Community Relations at The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.; Shannon Perry, director of Conversations on Race for the National Conference for Community and Justice; Penny Sanchez-Burruss, vice president/general manager for Client Operations at Xerox Corporation and member of the board of directors of United Way of the Capital Area; and Aaron Sarra, an attorney at Murtha Cullina LLP and a 2001 United Way Community Campaign loaned executive.

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2002 United Way Community Campaign Leaders Announced (5/1/02)

The 2002 United Way Community Campaign announced on May 1, 2002, that Chandler Howard, president of Fleet Bank Connecticut, will lead this year’s fundraising effort as General Chairman. Volunteer leaders who will support Mr. Howard in this year’s effort were also announced at the Easter Seals Greater Hartford Rehabilitation Center, one of the programs funded through the annual campaign. To kick off their first meeting, the business and community leaders worked with Easter Seals clients in a job readiness program to help assemble search and rescue headlamps.

Chandler Howard, 2002 Community Campaign chairman, helps to assemble 
a search and rescue headlamp at Easter Seals. 

"The United Way Community Campaign is the most important fundraising effort our community undertakes," said Chandler Howard. "I’ve seen firsthand the positive effect agencies funded by the Campaign have on people’s lives in our region." Mr. Howard is the first Campaign chairman who is a former United Way loaned executive. Loaned executives are individuals on loan to the Campaign from area companies and organizations to work full-time to help plan and implement successful employee campaigns at work sites. Mr. Howard served in that role early in his career, in the mid-1970s in Bridgeport.

Last year, more than $26.5 million was raised through the Community Campaign providing services for more than 300,000 people in need in our 40-town region. It is the largest annual fund-raising effort in our state.

Please click here for a complete list of the 2002 Campaign Cabinet. 

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United Way of the Capital Area Kicks Off Boost America! CT

This spring 2,500 car booster seats for children ages four to eight will be given free of charge to low-income families in Connecticut, beginning with United Way of the Capital Area's distribution day on Sunday, April 14. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the United Way office on Laurel Street in Hartford. 

Seats will be distributed on a "first-come-first-served" basis. Eligibility requirements for families who want to receive a booster seat are:

• Exhibit financial need. Although no proof of income will be required to receive a seat, this "giveaway" program is designed for families who might otherwise find it a hardship to purchase car booster seats on their own;
  
• Have a child who weighs between 40 and 80 pounds, and who is greater than
  42 inches and less than 57 inches tall;
  
• Own a car that has lap and shoulder belts in the back seat;
  
• Must bring the car to the event, as the seat(s) will need to be installed by trained technicians (an insurance requirement for the giveaway).

The Boost America! is a partnership of Connecticut United Ways, The Ford Motor Company and the Connecticut Department of Transportation's Governor's Office of Highway Safety. 

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2001 Community Service Award presented to Samuel C. Hamilton at 77^th Annual Meeting (3/14/02)

United Way of the Capital Area presented the 2001 Community Service Award to Samuel C. Hamilton for his dedication to the spirit of philanthropy and community service at the organization’s 77^th Annual Meeting, held on March 14, 2002 at The Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut. The award is United Way of the Capital Area’s most prestigious recognition and has been presented annually for more than fifty years.

Left to right: Louis B. Obermeier, chairman of the board of directors, 
Sandra Hamilton, Samuel Hamilton, and George Bahamonde, president and chief executive officer of UWCA enjoy the evening.

Mr. Hamilton has been involved with United Way since 1986, most recently serving as chairman of the board of directors from 1998-2001. Over the years, he has served United Way in many different roles as a member of the executive committee, strategic planning committee, Hartford neighborhood support collaborative, and as chairman of the allocations committee from 1993-1995. He also just completed his term as chairman of the Are You the Missing Piece? campaign, a year round campaign educating the public about the need for Hispanic and African American bone marrow donors, sponsored by the New England Marrow Donor Program, the American Red Cross and the United Way of the Capital Area.

In addition to his work with United Way, Mr. Hamilton’s list of accomplishments is long. Since his college days, he has been active in Kappa Alpha Psi, a historically African American fraternity with chapters throughout the United States. As the second highest office holder at the national level, he has been instrumental in bringing together United Way of America and Kappa Alpha Psi to promote understanding, volunteerism and serve as a role model for other minority organizations. He was instrumental in forming the Hartford Neighborhood Development Support Collaborative, bringing together for the first time 20 diverse funders in support of neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing. He has also served on the Connecticut Economic Policy Commission, Manchester Economic Development Commission, Christian Conference of Connecticut and the task force for the development of the Institute of the Black Athlete and the Institute for International Sports. He is the recipient of the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award and the Boyce Barlow Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Kappa Alpha Psi. He is active as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church.

In his professional life, Mr. Hamilton is president of HEDCO, working to provide technical assistance and loan packaging services to existing businesses and start-up businesses.

The featured guest speaker for the evening was Father Val J. Peter, executive director of Girls and Boys Town. Father Peter discussed a new unique partnership between United Way of the Capital Area, Hartford Public Schools, the Hartford Federation of Teachers, and Nebraska-based Girls and Boys Town. By implementing a new Girls and Boys Town program model, these organizations are helping five Hartford public schools and a Windsor Locks middle school increase students’ learning time in the classroom while decreasing inappropriate behavior.

Featured entertainment at the event included a performance by Drumming Full Circle from Our Piece of the Pie, a program of Southend Community Services that is funded through United Way’s annual campaign. In the Trinidad tradition, the students have created their own "djembe" drums, and have learned dance that represents this same tradition.

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United Way and FOX 61 Volunteer-a-thon Exceeds Goal of 
220,000 Hours for Our Community 

United Way of the Capital Area and Fox  61 teamed up for a fifth year to encourage television viewers to donate their time to local nonprofit organizations. For four hours on January 12, Fox 61 personalities encouraged viewers to call in and pledge more than 250,000 hours of volunteer time statewide. Pre-produced vignettes depicting a wide variety of volunteer activities were featured during the broadcast. This year, viewers were also encouraged to find a local volunteer opportunity online that matches their social interests, skills and schedule with United Way of the Capital Area's Volunteer Solutions.

Instead of commercial breaks, Fox 61 News at Ten Co-anchors Susan Christensen and Brent Hardin, and News Reporter Carolee Salerno, asked viewers to donate their time. All production and airtime costs were generously donated by Fox 61 to promote volunteerism in Connecticut.

Live shots included a visit to the New England Air Museum, in addition to several in-studio guests from local corporations that support employee volunteerism. Volunteers from the American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Bulkeley High School, and Bloomfield High School’s Junior ROTC program were on hand to answer calls in the phone bank.

Click here to find a local volunteer opportunity! 

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United Way and FOX 61 Team Up for Fifth Annual Volunteer-a-thon
Fifth annual Volunteer-a-thon sets goal of 220,000 volunteer hours

Tune in to FOX 61 on Saturday, January 12th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Looking for a way to make a difference in our community? United Way of the Capital Area and Fox 61 WTIC TV have teamed up for the fifth annual Volunteer-a-thon to lend Connecticut nonprofit organizations a helping hand. During the broadcast, viewers will have the opportunity to see a wide variety of volunteer activities and will be encouraged to call in and pledge volunteer hours. This year, viewers will be encouraged to find a local volunteer opportunity that matches their social interests, skills and schedule easily with United Way's new online database of local volunteer opportunities. 

Click here to pledge volunteer hours for Volunteerathon 2002!

Click here to find a local volunteer opportunity!

The goal set for this year’s Volunteer-a-thon is 220,000 hours of volunteer time from individuals, groups, families, and companies. "Volunteers are the lifeline of all nonprofit organizations in our community. Their spirit and good will make a significant difference in people’s lives, every day," said George Bahamonde, president of United Way of the Capital Area.

The program will air on Saturday, January 12, between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. throughout the broadcast of two movies, Driving Miss Daisy and Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken. 

Instead of commercial breaks, Fox 61 News at Ten co-anchors Susan Christensen and Brent Hardin, and news reporter Carolee Salerno, will ask viewers to call 1-800-547-6397 to donate their time and talents. Fox 61 has generously donated all production and airtime costs to promote volunteerism in Connecticut.

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Dial-A-Ride Program Provides More than 230 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 twelfth annual Dial-A-Ride increased more than 15% this New Year’s. Yellow Cab Company provided more than 230 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 1,600 safe rides home since the program’s inception in 1990. Additional support of the twelfth 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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United Way and NBC 30's Joy of Sharing Collects 18,000 Toys

United Way and NBC 30’s eleventh annual Joy of Sharing program had another successful year collecting over 18,000 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 200 local nonprofit organizations. In 2000, more than 14,000 toys were collected. Additional 2001 Joy of Sharing sponsors included KISS 95.7, Barrieau Moving & Storage, Sears stores, Gem Jewelry, CIGNA, Creative Toymaker and Marlborough Barn.

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