RBS Bank President & Trumbull First Selectman to Chair United Way of Eastern Fairfield County Days of Caring

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - August 29, 2007 Joseph A. Hoffman, President & CEO of RBS National Bank, and Raymond G. Baldwin Jr., First Selectman of the Town of Trumbull, have been named Honorary Co-Chairs of United Way's 2007 Days of Caring. United Way of Eastern Fairfield County President & CEO Merle Berke-Schlessel, Esq., expressed her pleasure that the two, who are widely known throughout the region, will be heading the three Days of Caring scheduled for October 9, 10, and 11. She remarked, "Mr. Hoffman and RBS National Bank have been outstanding corporate partners collaborating with United Way on various initiatives throughout the years. We are pleased that he will be lending his expertise to our expanded annual Days of Caring." She continued, "Mr. Baldwin is another perfect choice for Days of Caring Co-Chair because this year's activities will take place at the Trumbull Nature and Arts Center, an educational asset located in Mr. Baldwin's town and open to the entire region."

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation President and 2007-2008 United Way Campaign Chair Jeffrey P. Pino will help kick off the event on October 9. Mr. Pino and the two co-chairs will speak briefly about the community's shared responsibility for supporting education and promoting the importance of science. Also scheduled to speak that day is Gina McCarthy, State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner whose state program "No Child Left Inside" is designed to encourage the public - especially families and children from urban areas - to enjoy and learn from the outdoors.

Teams of volunteers from throughout the area are registering to work a morning or afternoon shift on one of the three scheduled Days of Caring. Volunteers will plant gardens, build composting areas and an outdoor classroom as well as complete various other projects that will enhance this valuable regional asset for the thousands of visitors expected this year. The Trumbull Nature & Arts Center offers the entire region environmental and cultural education through classes, exhibits, lectures, and nature walks. The Center's work compliments United Way's education agenda of providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to better position them for success in the future.

United Way Day of Caring has been a local tradition since 1992. In that time more than 8,000 corporate volunteers have devoted nearly 40,000 hours of service to the community. Any corporation or individual interested in sponsoring this event that mobilizes and engages the community to generate positive changes may call Donna Pfrommer at 339-6312. Additional information about sponsorship and participation will be available on the website www.thewaytocare.org.

United Way of Eastern Fairfield County's mission is to mobilize a stronger, more caring community across Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. We are focused on the underlying causes of our most difficult problems, including hunger, and creating preventative measures to ensure these problems do not recur. While many organizations address one issue, United Way focuses on the entire community. We are bringing people together from all across the community - people from government, business, faith groups, nonprofits, and ordinary citizens - to tackle the issues that matter most. United Way is committed to the bottom line results: the lives we change and the communities we shape. Find out more at www.thewaytocare.org.