United Way Honors Sponsors And Volunteers

DANBURY –– The United Way of Northern Fairfield County honored both local sponsors and volunteers at its annual Spring Leadership Giving and Community Fund Reception at Tarrywile Mansion on Thursday, June 12.

 More than 100 representatives from area companies were on hand to express their appreciation to the nearly 600 donors who together raised more than $1 million, as well as the volunteers who spend countless hours ensuring that those funds are spent wisely.

Bill Starbuck, senior vice president of NewMil Bank, and his wife Elena, a realtor with William Raveis, co-chairs of the Leadership Giving Association, discussed the importance of leaders in local communities.

 “This year alone, funding was provided to 72 programs run by 32 local partner agencies, which in turn helped over 75,000 of our neighbors in need,” Mr Starbuck said. “Our leadership givers demonstrate their commitment to the community by helping United Way make an immediate and meaningful difference in the lives of families right here in the greater Danbury area.”

Kathleen Hart, chairperson of United Way’s Community Fund Process, discussed the fund allocation process. “Thanks to the 38 volunteers who worked hundreds of hours ensuring our donor dollars are spent efficiently and effectively,” Ms Hart said. “Your hard work gives our donors the confidence and reassurance that their gifts are meeting the true needs of our community.”

The United Way of Northern Fairfield County allocates funds using a disciplined process of needs analyses and agency audits. Each funded program is reviewed annually to make certain donor dollars are used wisely and efficiently. In addition, the United Way helps partner agencies improve their programs through an outcomes measurement process, and monitors its own spending through an annual audit by a certified public accounting firm.

The 2002 Leadership Giving Reception was sponsored by Bailey and Beatty Financial, NewMil Bank, Newtown Savings Bank, Ridgefield Bank, Savings Bank of Danbury, Union Savings Bank, and Webster Bank.

United Way of Northern Fairfield County is a local, nonprofit community-based organization that covers the seven-town area of Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, Newtown, Redding, and Ridgefield.