UNITED WAY TO KICK OFF COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN AND RALLY DAY OF CARING VOLUNTEERS

(Bridgeport, June6, 2002) United Way of Eastern Fairfield County will kick off the 2002 Community Campaign at the July 16, 2002 Bridgeport Bluefish baseball game against the Atlantic City Surf. Co-chairs Janet and Leo Hansen will throw out the ceremonial first pitch following the national anthem performed by the Girl Scouts of Housatonic Council Choir.

The first 1,500 adult ticket-holders in attendance will receive commemorative binoculars donated by the event sponsor, Lamar Outdoor Advertising. Additional sponsors, the Aquarion Company, Bodine Corporation and the Bridgeport Bluefish have donated their skyboxes for United Way volunteers.

Fans will also see the premiere of the 2002 United Way campaign video, donated by Blue Chip Films of Norwalk.

The event will mark the kick off of preparations for the 11th annual Day of Caring, scheduled for September 11, 2002. From 50 volunteers at the program’s inception in 1992 to a goal of 1,000 participants on this year’s Day of Caring, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11, United Way Day of Caring has become a well loved and much anticipated annual event. The United Way will connect more than 1,000 volunteers with local agencies on Day of Caring to make a positive impact in our communities. Day of Caring will conclude with candle light vigils in remembrance of the September 11th attacks.

The goal of Day of Caring is to involve local employees in volunteering at a United Way funded agency or program, giving them first-hand experience with non-profit organizations in Eastern Fairfield County. The volunteer projects also cultivate a spirit of teamwork amongst employees and provide agencies with much need help.

“There is no better feeling than helping someone in need,” said Rosa J. Correa of Micro Credit Bridgeport, chair of the 2002 Day of Caring Campaign.

Last year, 19 local companies gave employees the day to work for health and human care agencies throughout the community. Projects ranged from landscaping a local community center to making holiday gifts for participants in a supported work program. Or, for those who were unable to participate in a group project, the Healthy Community Initiative at the Westfield Shoppingtown Trumbull offered the chance to volunteer in as little as an hour.

“So many people only know United Way as an organization that does good work and that comes into their workplace each fall to raise money for the community,” Correa said. “They often have no idea of the range of programs made possible through United Way funding and how every one of us benefits from them. Day of Caring allows people to see how their contributions are working.”

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