jdavoll's blog

Do you dream in numbers? Do friends and family come to you for financial advice?

Then this is your invitation to serve as a volunteer on the United Way Financial Review Panel!

Connecticut Food Bank (CFB) honored its Hunger Action Heroes on September 22 at an awards ceremony attended by more than 125 guests at the organization's East Haven warehouse. The heroes are individuals, businesses, and organizations that go above and beyond to support CFB in its mission to provide nutritious food to people in need.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that nearly 16 million children in America face hunger - that's one in every five! As a part of ongoing efforts to raise national awareness about childhood hunger and encourage the public to support their local food bank, Feeding America and the Ad Council have launched a new campaign this month.

Legends In Concert, "The World's Greatest Live Tribute Show," is back at Foxwoods for a Lucky Seventh Season this summer, from July 23-September 1. And now, you have the opportunity to purchase Regular Priced Adult Tickets for $10 off using code UW10. When you do, $2 will be donated to United Way of Southeastern Connecticut.

You might have noticed that we're just a little excited here at United Way lately. We love our work to advance the common good, and we really love when we have something new and innovative to share that can change more lives and improve community conditions.

The New London County Food Policy Council’s work has depended greatly on the amazing work of three AmeriCorps VISTAs hosted and partially funded by the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. This year we were fortunate to host three wonderful VISTAs - Joe Attwater, Mary Gates and Ellen Mail (pictured below at the Garde Arts Center event on December 29, 2012).

This week is National Volunteer Week, and a time when we extend an extra "thanks" for all volunteers do to make United Way work.

Volunteers make an impact here at United Way in many capacities - from serving on our Board of Directors, Allocations teams or other committees to participating in Day of Caring projects at nonprofits and the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center to volunteering within their company to help run a United Way workforce campaign.

Recently, two members of the Knights of Columbus of East Lyme spent the day at the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center. Knights Mark Ennis and Rob Ligouri were on hand (along with United Way staffer Lamar Spurill) to distribute about 80 brand new winter coats to area children in need. Clients from 13 agencies in all benefited from their generosity.

Many thanks to the Knights of Columbus of East Lyme!

We are very excited to be partnering with the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut on a collaborative funding effort to help individuals, families and organizations stuggling to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, a superstorm that struck our region last October.

The partnership, Our Communities United...Hurricane Sandy & Her Aftermath, was launched last Friday in an event at United Way.

Everyone at United Way is excited to hosting the inaugural Eastern CT Walk Against Hunger to benefit the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center. The Walk takes place on Sunday, May 5, beginning and ending at Chelsea Parade in Norwich.