Remember the Titans’ Coach Herman Boone & Former NBA Star Charles Smith Inspire United Way Day of Caring Participants

BRIDGEPORT, CT - (November 1, 2006) For the 15 th anniversary of its annual Day of Caring, United Way mobilized the greater Bridgeport community to support its children. University of Bridgeport President and United Way Board of Director Neil Salonen welcomed participants to the University’s Bernhard Center, where the event was held. Merle Berke-Schlessel, Esq., United Way of Eastern Fairfield County President & CEO , told guests, “To mark this milestone, United Way is focusing on our Success By 6® and Operation Graduation initiatives. Along with our community partners and volunteers, we are continuing our collective journey to help close the achievement gap for students in the greater Bridgeport region.”

The 15 th annual Day of Caring featured Coach Herman Boone, whose remarkable story was recounted in the Disney film, Remember the Titans, starring Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington. In 1971, Boone faced the challenge of a lifetime as three separate Alexandria, VA schools integrated to form T.C. Williams High School. Former rivals on the football field were now expected to work together in peace and harmony. Boone and former rival, Coach Bill Yoast, dispensed with their differences and unified their players to form a team whose common vision was to respect each other and win football games. At the same time, through the game of football, Boone and Yoast were able to help their small Virginian community put aside their intolerance and join together to support their children.

Because of his exemplary reputation in working with young people, Boone was the perfect choice for the Day of Caring event, which introduced 15 ways that participants can positively impact the life of a child. Corporate and non-profit leaders, including People’s Bank, Mercy Learning Center, Sterling House, The Cardinal Shehan Center, and others, shared their various initiatives. Participants learned about becoming mentors, tutors, coaches, homework helpers and other roles to help our children make the successful transition to adulthood.

Also on hand was former NBA star Charles Smith, a graduate of Bridgeport Public Schools and current United Way Community Campaign Chair. Smith maintains a direct tie to our area through The Charles D. Smith, Jr. Education Center, which houses a wide range of programs for inner city youth and their families. His anecdotes about his own mentoring experiences motivated more than a few participants to sign commitment cards to volunteer a specified number of hours throughout the year to benefit children and our community.

Honorary Day of Caring Chair Mary-Jane Foster, Bridgeport Bluefish CEO, also urged participants to complete the commitment cards. She assured them, “You will reap as many rewards as the child or children with whom you interact as a mentor, a tutor, a Big Sister, a Book Buddy, or in some other role helping them to become successful and self-sufficient adults.”