UNITED WAY CELEBRATES COMMUNITY BUILDERS

The following is text of the press release sent out in anticipation of the event.

United Way of Eastern Fairfield County will honor 30 community volunteers nominated by United Way funded agencies at the “Celebration of Community Builders” on Thursday, January 31, 2002 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Bridgeport Arena at Harbor Yard. The event is made possible through a partnership with the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation. More than 400 members of the community are expected to attend. 

In addition to honoring the Community Builder Award winners, the event is a fundraiser for community agencies. Attendees are asked to make a donation in any amount to the local charity of their choice. “Many local agencies have suffered setbacks in their fundraising, due in part to the terrorist attacks,” explained Merle Berke-Schlessel, Esq., president and Chief Professional Officer of the organization. “The need for local services has increased dramatically since September 11th, but overall funding has dropped off. We hope to help some of the agencies recover money lost from fundraisers they cancelled as a result of the attacks.” Berke-Schlessel attributes the drop in fundraising to donor response to September 11 coupled with an already soft economy. “People gave from their hearts and were so incredibly generous to help the victims of the attacks. Unfortunately, this impacted giving on a local level and left many local organizations in need.”

Berke-Schlessel cited the dramatic increase in calls to United Way’s statewide information and referral service, Infoline/2-1-1, as evidence of increased need. “Calls to Infoline went up 25% immediately after the attacks. Once Governor Rowland designated Infoline/2-1-1 as the official information and referral source for 9/11 services, it jumped another 7%,” she said. Sarah Jakubowski, Director of Marketing for United Way of Connecticut, which administers Infoline/2-1-1 service, echoed Berke-Schlessel’s comments adding that Infoline/2-1-1 took 2000 requests for services directly related to September 11th. She noted that the most frequent requests where for referrals for mental health services, general counseling and bereavement counseling and an astounding 60% increase in requests for adolescent and youth counseling referrals. Interestingly, Infoline has had a 40% increase in requests for anger management referrals since September 11. “People are finding life very overwhelming right now,” said Jakubowski.

Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation President and CEO Cindy Kissin said her organization was proud to partner with the United Way on this event. "As philanthropic leaders in the community, our cooperation illustrates the impact we can have to improve the quality of life in the greater Bridgeport region." Kissin noted that the long-standing partnership between the two organizations has produced important results. "The best example of our collaboration is the Community Response Fund which was established more than two years ago and allowed us to respond immediately after September 11 with a substantial grant to the local American Red Cross to cover the expenses of increased blood drives. Because of careful joint planning, we're able to address vital community issues and needs."

At this time of year, United Way typically announces the results of the Community Campaign. While 2001 Campaign Chair Paul S. Timpanelli, president of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, will report on the campaign’s progress that evening, he stressed that the campaign is far from complete. “We have about a dozen companies that are running spring campaigns,” he said. “Businesses in Eastern Fairfield County who have not yet participated are being asked to join this effort to invest in our community.” He noted that the volunteer Campaign Cabinet is committed to working year-round to increase participation in the Community Campaign. “Contrary to popular belief, United Way is not an organization that just shows up in the fall. A dedicated cadre of volunteers works year-round to not only raise money, but to distribute those funds where they will have the greatest impact.” While there have been some outstanding successes on the campaign trail, such as the remarkable $1.2+ million employee campaigns by General Electric and Sikorsky Aircraft there have also been some disappointments. “September 11 definitely affected us but quite honestly we knew going into this campaign that it would be a tough year because of the economy,” he said.  

Berke-Schlessel said she is concerned that the campaign may fall short of the local community’s needs. This concern has already affected United Way’s operations. “We’ve laid off staff and are examining how to further cut our operating budget. We’ve tightened our belts in an effort to preserve the level of funding needed for essential community programs. It’s been difficult,” she said. Berke-Schlessel was optimistic in her outlook for 2002. “It’s when times are tough that the community really needs United Way because our mission is to build a stronger, healthier and more caring community. Our volunteers make that happen.  They do not waver on the vision of United Way.”

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