Thursday, August 29, 2013

United Way Provides Back to School Supplies!

Pat Marciano, United Way Office Manager, and Fran Chapell, Executive Director of Canaan Child Care
The United Way of Northwest Connecticut was able to provide 31 kids with back to school clothing and supplies thanks to generous donations from individuals and businesses who acted as sponsors or contributed financially to the initiative.   This was the first year that the United Way conducted a campaign to help underserved children.  North Canaan was selected due to a higher than average poverty rate in the region. 

Monday, August 26, 2013

Rainbow Press Owner Joins Campaign

Joyce Muse, owner of Rainbow Press, is once again co-chairing the Sales & Service Division for the annual United Way of Northwest Connecticut campaign. Rainbow Press is also a corporate sponsor for 2013. 

"Our goal is to increase donations over last year," Joyce said.  We appreciate our loyal givers and encourage businesses to give what they can.  Every donation, no matter the size, enables the United Way to help fill the needs in our communities."

Joyce, who's a regular volunteer for the United Way's Citizen's Review process that oversees annual allocations, also enjoys volunteering for the Tour of the Litchfield Hills, a bike and walking event that raises funds for the Center for Cancer Care.

Glow Ball Golf Coming Soon!

Glow Ball Golf, a popular special event for the United Way of Northwest Connecticut, will be held on Friday, September 20th. For more information see the calendar of events on the United Way's website, www.northwestunitedway.org.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Michelle Teodorczyk Pays It Forward

Michelle Teodorczyk fills many roles: wife, mother, and assistant branch manager for Northwest Community Bank. She's now adding to her resume the role of co-chair for the United Way of Northwest Connecticut's Sales & Service Division for the 2013 annual campaign. 

“Paying it forward is a big motto in my life,” says Michelle. “At some point in our lives we have found ourselves asking for help in some shape or form. In most cases it gave us the foundation to build our lives into what they are today. With that being said, Joyce and I ask that you give to United Way to help another individual create their foundation. We know that these economic times are a struggle for many in the small business industry, but we ask that you look back at who helped you achieve your dream and help make a difference in someone’s life today.”

Michelle was previously a Small Business Division volunteer for New Hartford from 2007-2009. She also participates in Walking for Diabetes, March of Dimes and New Hartford Days.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Partners in Care

Do you need help for a loved one? The Partners in Care service, an affiliate of Visiting Nurse Services (VNS), serves communities in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties.  They offer Home Health Aides (personal care, shopping, laundry, bathing, light housekeeping), Live-In Health Aides, transportation services, 24-hour respite services that enable family members to attend work or other activities, and a voice response systems that allows clients to call for help in an emergency.

It's one of the few private-duty personal care agencies that is licensed by the State of Connecticut. All staff undergo rigorous orientation and competency exams. Their services can be arranged individually or in collaboration with ongoing clinical care.

To learn more, visit www.vnsct.org or call 1-800-524-6475. 

New Volunteers Join Public Service Division Leadership Team

Tim Waldron, Aide to Torrington Mayor Ryan Bingham, is committed to bringing new energy to the United Way of Northwest's Public Service Division.  Tim is a lifelong Torrington resident and 2009 graduate of Central CT State University.  He's chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee and a member of the Chamber's Young Professionals' Organization (YPO). 

Joining Tim is Christina Emery, a Harwinton resident who also volunteers as secretary of the town's Ambulance Association. Christina is a former Harwinton Selectman and past PTA president. She's currently employed as the Director of Development for LARC, a United Way agency, and is a member of the Torrington Development Corporation. Christina has prior experience in the United Way's Public Service and Retail divisions.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Literacy Tips for Volunteers Readers and Tutors

Do you like to read to children? Here are a few tips to support literacy development:
  • Have fun! Practice ABC songs and poems together
  • Add expressive sounds, such as the sound of a snake
  • Sing, rap or chant the words - invite the child to join in
  • Engage the child - ask them what they think happens next or why something happened the way it did
  • Be a cheerleader! Let them know when they do a good job pronouncing words
If you're a tutor, or thinking about becoming one...
  • Introduce yourself and take time to get to know the student
  • Adjust the work and your style as you learn about the student's abilities
  • Be creative - look for ways to motivate and involve the student
  • Break up the tutoring time into short time slots
  • Adapt to the student if they have visual or audio issues
Tips provided by United Way Worldwide.

Help for Veterans

A Veteran Stand Down event will be held on September 20 from 7 am to 3 pm at the Veterans Home in Rocky Hill.  Veterans can receive medical screenings, benefit information, employment assistance and more. The goal is to help homeless and / or low-income vets.

Operation Fuel

Summer Assistance - OperationFuel is accepting applications for the Summer Season Utility Assistance Program.  The program provides a cash grant of up to $500 (paid directly to the utility) to help income eligible households that are in an emergency situation.  Assistance is for gas or electric utilities only and specific eligibility criteria applies.


Winter Assistance - The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) has started early intake for winter heating assistance.  Applications are available through Community Action Agencies.  Assistance covers oil, gas, electric, propane, wood, coal and kerosene heat.

Dial 2-1-1 for more information on both programs.



 
 

CT Disaster Recovery Website

The State of Connecticut has a one-stop website for information such as federal and state disaster recovery grants. www.CTrecovers.ct.gov

Friday, August 16, 2013

Barkhamsted Selectman Volunteers

Mr. Donald Stein, 1st Selectman for the Town of Barkhamsted, Connecticut, is serving as a co-chair for the United Way of Northwest Connecticut's Public Service Division.  Don's background includes a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, advanced course at Harvard Business School, and 37 years of employment at Hamilton Standard.  Don joined the United Way's Board of Directors this year and served on the Citizen's Review Committee, which oversees allocations to United Way member agencies.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Sharon Children Need School Supplies

Thirty-eight children who qualify to receive free or reduced lunch in the Town of Sharon, CT will be receiving backpacks and school supplies from a generous local store, but additional support is needed for clothing and shoes.  If you would like to make a donation to this effort, kindly contact Ella Clark at ella_c@sharon-ct.org

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Bank Officer Joins United Way Leadership Team

Steve Zarella


Steven Zarrella, Senior VP and Chief Lending Officer at Northwest Community Bank since 2011, joins Sherie Power and Shawn Brennan as an Ambassador Captain for the Manufacturing and Construction Division. Shawn's been actively involved with the United Way for the past two years. He serves on the Boards of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corporation as well as its Finance Committee. Steve is an avid photographer and lives in Watertown with his wife Cammie and their daughter.

Kelly Services Manager Leads Manufacturing & Construction Division

Sherie Power

Long-time United Way volunteer Sherie Power, Branch Manager of Kelly Services, is helping to lead the way for the Manufacturing and Construction Division during this fall’s annual campaign.

Sherie’s United Way resumé includes lengthy accomplishments. A Campaign Cabinet leader since 2001, she’s been involved in nearly every aspect of the United Way, from member and chairwoman of many committees, to Board member and president, and annual campaign chairwoman. She presided over the Executive Director Search Committee and oversaw the transition process when Stephanie R. Barksdale was hired to replace retiring director Bill Egan.   

Barksdale said, “Sherie’s experience will help keep this division focused on achieving its goal.”



BD Manager Joins United Way Campaign


Shawn Brennan, HR Manager at BD in Canaan, has volunteered to serve as an Ambassador Co-Chair of the Manufacturing and Construction Division for the United Way of Northwest Connecticut’s annual fall campaign.

Shawn holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources from St. Leo University and has a dual Master's degree from Troy State University in Public Administration and Public Personnel Management. He has also received his certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt. A retired Veteran of the United States Air Force who’s been with BD since his retirement in 2001, Shawn moved to Connecticut from Sumter, South Carolina in January of this year. He is in the process of relocating his family (wife –Tess, 2 dogs, a cat, and his Yellow Naped Parrot) to the Torrington area. Shawn was active in the Sumter community and plans to continue that legacy here.

Shawn said, "I've been an active supporter of United Way for as long as I can remember. I am especially impressed by the volume and diversity of programs the Northwest division has to offer.  I’m looking forward to helping them accomplish their goals in the years to come.”         

United Way Director Stephanie Barksdale said, “I’m delighted that Shawn’s joined our campaign effort. He brings a fresh perspective to our campaign and a lot of southern hospitality.”


Thursday, August 1, 2013

United Way Trendsetters

Twenty-six organizations and businesses have agreed to be Trendsetters for the United Way of Northwest Connecticut's annual campaign.

They are: BD; Burns, Brooks & McNeil, Inc.; Catholic Charities; the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Connecticut; Collinsville Savings Society; Commercial Sewing; Connecticut Mutual Holding Company; Ducci Kitchens; FISH of Northwestern Connecticut; Lightstat; Litchfield Bancorp; Litchfield Insurance Group; Maria Seymour Brooker Memorial; National Iron Bank; Northwest Community Bank; Northwest Hills Automotive; Northwest Hills Credit Union; O & G Industries; The Register Citizen; Salisbury Bank & Trust Company; Susan B. Anthony Project; Torrington Savings Bank; Torrington Water Company; United Way of Northwest Connecticut; Wal-Mart; and Winsted Area Child Care Center. 

Trendsetters make a commitment to conduct and complete a campaign by the kickoff date, which is September 11 this year. 

Preschool Literacy & Music Night

A Preschool Literacy & Music Night will be held on Wednesday, August 21, from 6-7 p.m. at the Douglas Library, 108 Main Street, North Canaan.  The event, which is sponsored by the United Way of Northwest Connecticut and Northwest Child Care Collaborative, will feature a story reading and music. Refreshments will be served. For more information, email douglaslibrary@comcast.net.
   

Local Businessman Joins United Way Board

Jack Reynolds, owner of Minuteman Press in Torrington, has joined the United Way of Northwest Board of Directors.