City of Norwalk Employees, Town of Wilton Educators, Support United Way

PRESS RELEASE
Friday, November 7, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact: Carey Kuznar, 847-4576

Chet Valiante, Chair of the United Way of Norwalk & Wilton 2003 Caring Community Campaign and Publisher of the Hour Newspapers, announced at a recent cabinet meeting that 120 new givers have contributed $12,123 so far through this year’s campaign; the goal is 270 new corporate or individual givers. The campaign kicked off on September 18, 2003, and has raised $123,736 so far. Last year, the United Way campaign raised a total of $1,261,797.

Mr. Valiante said, “Public sector employees in both Norwalk and Wilton have kicked off their United Way campaigns with a high degree of enthusiasm and care,” The kick-off in Norwalk was held on October 31st at 8:30 a.m. and was hosted by Norwalk’s City Hall, where a variety of public service employees came to rally support, including Mayor Alex Knopp and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Salvatore Corda. Other attendees included employees from Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk Police Department and Norwalk Public Schools. Bruce Morris, Director of Human Relations for Norwalk Public Schools and a volunteer Co-Chair for the campaign’s Public Service Division in Norwalk, stated, “As public servants, we have a responsibility to our city and ourcommunity, and giving to United Way ensures that both will have a brighter future.”

Mr. Valiante also said, “Equally impressive is the support that Wilton public school employees have shown by kicking off their United Way campaign.” Both Cider Mill and Middlebrook schools showed their support when over 100 educators at each school attended afternoon kick-offs on October 22nd and October 29th. In the spirit of election week, Wilton High School and the Miller/Driscoll schools have also kicked off their campaigns for United Way. Suzanne VanVechten, Director of Wilton SocialServices and co-chair of the Public Service Division for Wilton stated, “We are encouraging Wilton Public School employees to give through payroll deduction, an easy and efficient process that is available to them for the first time this year.” Ms. Van Vechten went on to say, “ We have also had United Way agency representatives at each school meeting to talk about how Wilton has benefited directly from United Way
services.”

David R. Kennedy, United Way’s President and CEO, said, “Employee giving is the driving force of our community campaign. Without the participation of employees from the city of Norwalk and the town of Wilton, we would not have such a successful campaign, such a thriving community. Through our work every day, each of us is responsible for improving the community in which we live and work and making it a better place for all of us. Through United Way contributions we can also improve lives.”

Mr. Kennedy stated that anyone who is interested in setting up a workplace campaign for their employees or would like to make an individual pledge should call United Way at 847-4576.