Local Leaders Join United Way in Annual Capital Campaign Kick Off

With the enthusiastic support of local leaders at The Orchards on Sep. 10, 2013, United Way of Southington's Executive Director, Kaye Davis, introduced Dr. Albert Natelli, as this years' capital campaign spokesperson.    

Natelli touched on Southington's history of United Way noting that it started in 1926 when 15 volunteers signed a charter organizing the Southington Community Chest which raised $7,300 in that first year to assist funding of the Southington Red Cross, the Public Health Association and the Salvation Army, which UWS continues to support today. The unit's name was changed in 1975 to United Way of Southington while the group's focus remained the same: local volunteers raising money to help others right here in Southington.

“Today, support of United Way touches 1 out of 4 residents right here in Southington.", Natelli said, “United Way does much more than meets the eye through the many agencies it funds each year, such as the YMCA, Southington Community Services and Bread for Life. Those three alone provide a wide array of profoundly needed services and programs within our community." 

"Also, many do not realize that United Way's support makes agencies accountable through a system of quarterly reports which show their progress, what is working, what is not and how services can be improved." Personal donations of individual supporters are important to United Way, but, Natelli noted, concerted efforts of supporters to reach others in their sphere of influence to contribute simply multiplies their own donations. 

"Imagine forty people donating $500 each or raising $500 each. That would account for $20,000. Or, that  100 donating $200 each would account for $20,000. ”, Natelli said.

The list of agencies supported by United Way in Southington is large: The Arc of Southington, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Bread for Life, Catholic Charities, Center for Healthy Aging, Child Guidance Clinic, Community Mental Health Affiliates, Connecticut Legal Services, Literacy Volunteers of Central CT, Margaret Griffin Child Development Center,  Mulberry Gardens Adult Day Care Program, Prudence Crandall Center, Retired Senior Volunteer Services, Salvation Army, Visiting Nurse Association, YMCA of Southington and YWCA Sexual Assault Crisis Service.

Davis said, “Money donated in Southington or designated at your workplace for United Way of Southington stays in Southington.”  You may donate online: www.UnitedWayof Southington.org, or by mail to United Way of Southington at 37 West Center St., PO Box 546, Southington, CT 06489.  For more info please Kaye Davis at call 860-628-4565.