United Way of Norwalk & Wilton Looks to Educate Donors

PRESS RELEASE
Monday, October 20, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rich Johnson, 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 106 new givers have contributed $10,673 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 $104,612 so far. Last year, the United Way campaign raised a total of $1,261,797.

Mr. Valiante said, “At this point, contributions from small businesses, residents and professionals are leading the campaign. Giving in the residential area has increased from $38,142 last year at this time to $44,227 this year, a 16% increase so far. In Norwalk, giving from small businesses has increased 10% and in Wilton, small businesses have contributed $2,325 so far, up from $600 at this point last year. We’ve also started to make our initial contacts at the major and mid-size companies that contribute sizable donations to our campaign, asking for the corporate gifts and scheduling employee campaigns. The campaign will really kick into high gear in the next few weeks as soon as the contributions from those companies begin to come in.”

Regarding the focus on new donors, Mr. Valiante went on to say, “Donors to last year’s campaign have stepped up and increased their donations. But to really make this campaign a success, we need those companies that have never contributed before or are new to our area to participate this year. We’ve got to replace gifts from those companies that have relocated out of Norwalk and Wilton, or have closed their doors.”

To encourage new companies to contribute, United Way has set up agency tours to demonstrate the impact that donations have here in Norwalk and Wilton. The next tour is scheduled for Thursday October 23rd, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will visit the following Norwalk-based programs: Norwalk Emergency Shelter, Norwalk Housing Authority Learning Center and the South Norwalk Community Health Center. For those companies that may be interested in a tour and learning more about United Way and the programs and services that receive funding from the campaign, but are unable to attend the one scheduled for the 23rd, United Way is willing to accommodate their needs to allow them to see for themselves and show their employees how United Way focuses on what matters in the community. Interested companies can call the United Way office at 847-4576.

David R. Kennedy, United Way’s President and CEO, said, “By focusing on what matters, United Way is improving lives every day here in Norwalk and Wilton. The more we can help our past, current and potential investors see that, the more successful our campaign will be. The result? A healthier community for all who live and work here.”

Mr. Kennedy stated that pledges could be made by calling United Way at 847-4576.