United Way of North Central Massachusetts recognized donors and volunteers with an evening of laughter and festivities, at its annual thank you celebration, held Tuesday evening at the Four Points Sheraton.   

Dave Baer, vice president of marketing, SimplexGrinnell, and campaign chairman for United Way of North Central Massachusetts, thanked the nonprofit organization's volunteers and donors for contributing to this year's fundraising efforts. "Living united means being a part of the change, which all of you are generously doing by giving of your time, talents or treasure."

The annual community fundraising effort, which includes corporation gifts, employee giving and individual donations, provides more than 90,000 units of health and human services to 19 communities in the area of health, income and education.

For conducting outstanding workplace employee-giving campaigns, United Way presented the Extraordinary Effort Chairman's Award for the Nashoba region to the Deluxe Corporation of Groton; the Twin Cities award went to Micron Products of Fitchburg; and for the Gardner region, GFA Federal Credit Union.

In addition, United Way Community Builders, a volunteer center, awarded four grants for community volunteer projects, as part of National Volunteer Week, which was sponsored by Unitil and Bemis Associates of Shirley. The community was asked to vote for a favorite project.  

Kira Andreucci of Fitchburg won first place for her effort to distribute kidpacks-bags of nonperishable food items-to needy McKay Campus Elementary School students. Her Karing 4 Kidz project will use the $1,000 prize money to purchase food. In addition, she received over 20 bags of food for her program, which were colorfully displayed as centerpieces on the guests' tables.

Hubbardston Senior Center won second place, $500, for its efforts to improve the grounds at the Hubbardston Council on Aging and surrounding town municipal building. Volunteers planted flowers, put down mulch, trimmed brush and weeds, raked and swept the parking lot.

Third place, $250, went to Growing Places Garden Project in Clinton, where volunteers installed vegetable gardens for six families living at a low-income complex in Leominster. The healthy and affordable eating initiative also includes a cooking and nutrition class, provided by Share Our Strengths' Cooking Matters.

Leominster Trail Stewards won fourth place, $250, for utilizing volunteers to help clear trails of fall and winter debris at Barrett Park in Leominster.

United Way Youth Venture, a program with more than 1,000 youth creating positive change through youth-led initiatives, awarded $1,000 scholarships to four students for outstanding participation in the program:

Mike Sushchyk, from Parker Charter Essential School in Devens, will attend UMass Amherst; Kara Komprathoum, Winchendon's Murdock High School, has been accepted at Providence College; Antonia Calcaterra, North Central Charter Essential School in Fitchburg, is undecided as well as Richard Miegs, Leominster High School.

Following the program, comedian Paul Nardizzi entertained the audience.

Bank of America's Edwin Shea, Jr. (left), market president, and Steven Doyle, Fitchburg branch manager, present a $5,000 check to Phil Grzewinski (right), president, United Way of North Central Massachusetts, for the 2011-2012 annual campaign drive. 

Fitchburg, Mass. - United Way Community Builders is sponsoring the region's most amazing race ever, but with a twist. 

Volunteers are wanted for Dash for a Difference, which is being held on April 14. Inspired by "The Amazing Race" television show, the event pits teams of five dashers in a friendly competition, traveling through North Central Massachusetts neighborhoods on a quest to complete community service projects.

Each team will be asked to complete a series of projects during the day. Once they complete tasks, their passport will be stamped and they will receive their clue to the next destination. Team members who are successful will be entered into a grand prize raffle drawing for a seven-day stay at a luxurious waterfront house in Key West, Fl., including airfare.

To participate, team members will raise funds for United Way Community Builders volunteer center prior to the event. To learn more or sign up, visit www.community-builders.net or call United Way of North Central Massachusetts at 978-345-1577.

United Way Community Builders corporate sponsors include Unitil and Bemis Associates.

Following a series of grants, late last year, to food pantries and utility assistance programs, United Way of North Central Massachusetts announced 13 additional grants to help meet the protracted demand for basic needs. 

"While the number of families looking for food and utility assistance has slowed since the holidays, we are still dealing with significant demand, " commented Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts.

United Way of North Central Massachusetts created its Supplemental Basic Needs Fund to provide immediate emergency relief to individuals and families in the North Central Massachusetts region. In November, it distributed $55,000 and with this round, $27,400.

As contributions are received, United Way is directing 100 percent of the dollars to existing health and human service providers in its 19-town service territory.

"In addition to purchasing food for the frontline agencies, we are also purchasing freezers for four agencies so they have the capacity to store enough food for the increased demand," commented Grzewinski. 

Workers' Credit Union, IC Federal Credit Union, Fidelity Bank and Rollstone Bank & Trust, along with several individuals, have donated to the fund.

The following agencies received funds to purchase  food: Gardner CAC, Our Father's House, Salvation Army, Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, Catholic Charities, Ginny's Helping Hand Food Pantry, Spanish American Center, Loaves and Fishes, Gardner VNA Community Services Pantry, Townsend Ecumenical Food Pantry, Leona Fleming Food Pantry, Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network and Winchendon Community Action Committee. 

Contributions may be made to the fund by calling 978-345-1577, going  online at www.uwncm.org, or mailing to United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Attn: Supplemental Basic Needs Fund, 285 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

Residents who need to know where to go for emergency assistance can call 2-1-1, which is a free call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or visit www.uwncm.org to access their website. The Mass 2-1-1 hotline is prepared to connect callers with help for basic needs and other health and human services.

United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Barre, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.

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With request for heating and food assistance steadily rising, Workers' Credit Union has made a $10,000 contribution to the United Way of North Central Massachusetts' Supplemental Basic Needs Fund. 

"The demand for services are up 37 percent this year due to the increased request for heating and food assistance," said Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts. 

"By giving to United Way's fund, we know that our dollars will reach those most in need in our community," said Doug Petersen, president and CEO of Workers' Credit Union.  

Individuals or businesses who are interested in giving, may contact United Way of North Central Massachusetts at 978-345-1577. 

Fitchburg, Mass - United Way Community Builders is looking for 200 volunteers to participate in its MLK Service Day Challenge on Jan. 21. This event is part of a regional collaborative of volunteer service projects, multi-cultural activities and events to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy. 

"The MLK Challenge consists of one day of intense service, where teams of volunteers, of all ages and interests, will tackle service projects throughout North Central Massachusetts," said Karin Oliveira, director of United Way Community Builders.

Unlike a typical volunteer assignment, teams will be given a challenge in which they receive enough instruction regarding their project to get them started. The team will then brainstorm on the best way to complete their assignment. The teams also receive $100 in seed money for supplies and material. The goal is for the team members to leverage their ideas and seed money to complete the project. 

"We received wonderful feedback from our volunteers last year, because they weren't told how how to complete the challenge. The volunteers work together creatively to achieve their goals," concluded Oliveira.  

Last year,144 volunteers donated 576 hours of service for day. 

To learn more about participating in the MLK Service Day Challenge, volunteers should visit www.community-builders.net or contact Karin Oliveira at United Way of North Central Massachusetts, 978-345-1577, ext. 26 or karin@uwncm.org.  

To meet the increased demand for utility and food assistances, United Way of North Central Massachusetts has made a $55,000 distribution to 15 local health and human services agencies.  

"The goal is to get resources to the frontline agencies as quickly as possible,  so we can reach as many families as possible, " commented Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts.

United Way of North Central Massachusetts created its Supplemental Basic Needs Fund to provide immediate emergency relief to individuals and families in the North Central Massachusetts region.

As contributions are received, United Way is directing 100 percent of the dollars to existing health and human service providers in its 19-town service territory. 

"In addition to providing much needed food assistance,  the goal is to help those who will struggle to keep warm this winter," commented Grzewinski. According to a United Way survey of area non-profit service providers, some local agencies are seeing up to an 80 percent increase in requests for assistance.  

The following agencies received food cards and money to purchase food at the Worcester County Food Bank: Gardner CAC, Battered Women's Resources, Our Father's House, Fitchburg/Leominster Community Action Council, MOC Elder Services, Salvation Army, Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, Catholic Charities, Ginny's Helping Hand Food Pantry, Spanish American Center, Loaves and Fishes, Gardner VNA Community Services Pantry, Townsend Ecumenical Food Pantry and Winchendon Community Action Council. 

New England Farm Workers' Council received $25,000, which will be used for heating assistance. 

Contributions may be made to the fund by calling 978-345-1577, going  online at www.uwncm.org, or mailing to United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Attn: Supplemental Basic Needs Fund, 285 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

Residents who need to know where to go for emergency assistance can call 2-1-1, which is a free call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Mass 2-1-1 hotline is prepared to connect callers with help for basic needs and other health and human services.

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts elected new officers and directors at its recent annual meeting.

The following new directors were elected to three-year terms expiring 2014; Steven C. Sharek, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School; Anthony Cali, I-C Federal Credit Union;Winfield S. Brown, Heywood Hospital; Lindsey Aubuchon, W.E. Aubuchon, Inc.;  Michael Emery, Hannaford Supermarkets; David A. Garrison, Micron Products; and Julie M. Meehan, Gardner CAC, ex-officio director. David Robinson, a student at Fitchburg State University was elected to a two-year term expiring 2013.  

Re-elected to a one-year term expiring 2012: Keith Boissoneau, Sterilite Corporation; Dr. Bruce Man, Medical Associates Pediatrics; and Thomas Hughes, Fitchburg High School. Re-elected to a three-year term expiring 2014: Martin Connors, Rollstone Bank and Trust.

Robert F. Chauvin, SimplexGrinnell, was elected chair for a one-year term ending 2012; Robert V. Antonucci, Ed.D., Fitchburg State University, vice chair; David Baer, SimplexGrinnell, campaign chair; Matt W. Johnson, Fitchburg Post Office, community investment chair; Keith Boissoneau, Sterilite Corporation, treasurer; Daniel M. Asquino, Ph.D., Mount Wachusett Community College, assistant treasurer, and Justin Gelinas, Gelinas and Ward, clerk; and Philip M. Grzewinski, United Way of North Central Massachusetts, president. 

IC Federal Credit Union’s Tony Cali and Judy Kaddy announce a $7,500 contribution to United Way’s Supplemental Basic Needs Fund at a forum sponsored by Unitil and United Way of North Central Massachusetts. Phil Grzewinski (right), president of United Way, said the fund will be used for food and heating assistance for local families.

Fitchburg, Mass. -United Way of North Central Massachusetts recognized Tuesday, at its annual meeting, four companies that have contributed more than $1 million of support since the nonprofit agency was created in 1979.

Workers' Credit Union, Sterilite Corporation, Bemis Associates and Tyco SimplexGrinnell were all recognized for surpassing the $1 million mark in total contributions over the past 32 years.  

"The level of support and consistency of it, year-in and year-out, is remarkable, said Phil Grzewinski, president of United Way of North Central Massachusetts. "I want to extend a warm thank you to management and the employees for their tremendous support over the years."

Fitchburg-based Workers' Credit Union's Doug Petersen thanked his employees for making the milestone possible. "They do a tremendous job and, most of all, make it fun to give."

"Giving back to the community that supports us is important," said Steve Stone, executive vice president of Sterilite Corp., Townsend.

Dave Baer from Tyco SimplexGrinnell, based in Westminster, is this year's United Way campaign chairman. He acknowledged his employees for their tremendous support. "We as a company have embraced United Way Youth Venture as one of our company charitable initiatives, which the employees have enthusiastically embraced."

"Our employees have been terrific supporters over the years," said Abbie MacCallum from Bemis Associates, headquartered in Shirley.  

United Way of North Central Massachusetts, which hosts the annual event with a kickoff breakfast at the Four Points Sheraton, also uses the day to officially launch its annual campaign drive.

"We have 56 projects-from  46 agencies -nearly 500 volunteers from local companies, as well as over 1,500 students participating in their own school-based projects," said Abbie MacCallum from Bemis Associates in Shirley. MacCallum is this year's United Way Day of Caring chair.

MacCallum said the projects include helping nonprofit agencies with yard work, painting and other initiatives. "Due to personnel constraints, agencies aren't able to get the projects completed during the year, so they look forward to this day."

Several companies were lauded for participating in the daylong event: SimplexGrinnell in Westminster had 81 volunteers; Bemis Associates, 34 employees; Fitchburg's Simonds International, 21; and Fitchburg State University had 28 employees take part.

Participating schools included: Leominster Public Schools and Prospect Street Alternative School in Gardner, FLACC Collaborative Caldwell School in Fitchburg, Ayer Shirley Regional High School and Ruggles School in Barre. 

Before heading out to their projects, Dave Baer, vice president of SimplexGrinnell and this year's campaign chairman, urged the community to create 365 Days of Caring.

He shared with the audience the results of a recent survey United Way conducted, which found that 80 percent of agencies providing basic need services experienced an increase in the number of clients needing services in the last 12 months.

Collectively, 44 percent of those agencies saw an increase in the number of clients seeking shelter or assistance for shelter/housing issues, while 75 percent experienced a decrease in government funding.

"Unfortunately, the numbers are sobering. However, we can make a difference by taking today and extending it for another 364 days." Baer urged the community to give to the 2011-2012 annual campaign drive, which raises money through corporate donations, employee giving as well as contributions made directly to United Way Community Impact Fund.

Following the completion of the projects, a barbeque was held at the Polish American Citizens Club in Gardner.

SimplexGrinnell and the Four Points Sheraton were the major sponsor for the Day of Caring.

United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Barre, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.

Celebrating the 16^th Annual Day of Caring Sept. 22, United Way volunteers will help nonprofit agencies stock kitchen pantries, paint, clean, landscape and read to children. 

"Virtually everyone who volunteers walks away energized," said Abbie MacCullum of Bemis Associates, Inc. and chair of United Way's Day of Caring. "It is wonderful way to give back to the community and meet some great folks."

It is expected that over 500 volunteers from area companies and organizations, including students from area schools, will donate the day to assist local health and human service agencies with a host of maintenance projects that normally cannot get done due to financial and personnel constraints.

Anyone who is interested in participating is encouraged to contact United Way of North Central Massachusetts at 978-345-1577 or visit the website.

SimplexGrinnell in Westminster and Four Points Sheraton are the event underwriters.

The Greater Twin Cities United Way in Minnesota will launch a youth leadership program , thanks to a $30,000 grant from SimplexGrinnell made possible by employee contributions to the company's nationwide United Way Campaign.

A Westminster-based fire and life-safety company, SimplexGrinnell has 150 locations  in North America, including a district office in Minneapolis, Minn., that is actively engaged with Greater Twin Cities United Way. The grant announcement culminated a months-long process in which United Ways from across the United States submitted proposals for a Youth Venture grant. SimplexGrinnell is collaborating with the United Way of North Central Massachusetts to help spread United Way Youth Venture throughout the United States.

Next fall, Greater Twin Cities United Way will use the grant funding to implement the school-based Youth Venture program, which empowers students to design and launch lasting social ventures that have a positive impact.

SimplexGrinnell and its parent company, Tyco International, kicked off the effort to expand Youth Venture in 2009, with a $30,000 grant to the United Way of Central Maryland. In 2010, SimplexGrinnell employees participated in a workplace giving campaign that gave them the opportunity to contribute to Youth Venture or their local United Way.

"This grant and our entire Youth Venture effort advances SimplexGrinnell's commitment to be a leader in all the communities we serve," said Bob Chauvin, company president and a board member at the United Way of North Central Massachusetts. "Our employees are to be commended for stepping forward to strengthen our communities and help develop the next generation of leaders."

Wide participation in the grant process

United Ways throughout the country submitted proposals on how they would implement a Youth Venture program. The United Way of North Central Massachusetts, which founded United Way Youth Venture, helped manage the process. With the help of what is now an annual campaign at SimplexGrinnell, United Way Youth Venture has expanded to encompass five other cities nationwide.

This year, the top 10 applicants were invited to a half-day training session in Leominster, Mass., underwritten by SimplexGrinnell, to learn how to implement the program in their communities. They included: United Way of Lancaster County, Lancaster, Penn.;  Greater Twin Cities United Way, Minneapolis, Minn.; United Way of York County, York, Pa.; United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem Pa.; United Way of Central Ohio, Columbus, Ohio; United Way of Metro Nashville, Nashville, Tenn.; United Way of Treasure Valley, Boise, Ia.; United Way Greater Knoxville, Knoxville, Tenn.; United Way of the Plains, Wichita, Ks.; and United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga.

Leominster, Mass. - Nearly a dozen individuals and numerous companies were recognized for their contributions to United Way of North Central Massachusetts at the annual campaign thank-you event at the Four Points Sheraton Thursday evening. 

Dr. Bruce Man, chairman of United Way of North Central Massachusetts, and Marty Connors, president and CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust and this year's campaign chair, thanked the local financial institutions for supporting its Supplemental Basic Needs Fund.

"Because of the high unemployment, we created this fund to provide additional food and heating assistance so families wouldn't go hungry or without heat," said Connors.

IC Federal Credit Union, Fidelity Bank, Workers' Credit Union, Rollstone Bank & Trust, Leominster Credit Union, Enterprise Bank & Trust, and United Way's Community Investment Fund contributions were responsible for helping thousands of families.

Ronald M. Ansin of Harvard received United Way's Profiles Award because of his support of their Emergency Shelter Fund, which pays for lodging when shelters are full, to shelter homeless individuals and families during extreme weather events.  Since its inception in 2004, 669 room nights have been provided.

United Way's Community Investment Division presented six Profiles Awards to its committee members who have more than 10 years of service: John Flores of Lunenburg; Rosemary Healey, Fitchburg; Deb LaPointe, Leominster; Ellen Goguen, Leominster; John Doyle, Holden; and Matt Johnson, Westminster. 

Bob Labonte of Gardner was lauded for his years of service on the United Way's Day of Caring, which assist nonprofit agencies with maintenance projects every September.

The Alexis de Tocqueville Society, which recognizes contributors to the annual campaign at the $10, 000 or more level, presented Jim Javaras of Princeton its Profiles Award for his leadership and years of service on the committee.

Connors presented the Extraordinary Effort Chairman's Award for the Nashoba region to Bemis Associates, Inc. of Shirley; the Twin Cities award went to Simonds International of Fitchburg; and Gardner's GFA Federal Credit Union was praised for running an outstanding workplace campaigns.

United Way Youth Venture, a program with more than 1,000 youth who are creating positive change through youth-led initiatives, awarded $1,000 scholarships to three students for outstanding participation in the program:

Lauren Dewey, a senior at Leominster High School and a member of S.M.I.L.E. (SADD Members Involved in Lifestyle Education); Dominic Polcari, a senior from Murdock High School, Winchendon, a member of  Extreme Makeover: Field Edition, Operation Murdock Cares, Wii Care and Sound of Murdock; and Maximin Rocheleau, from Murdock High School, who is also a member of Wii Care.

Man presented the final Profiles Award to Marty Connors of Leominster for serving as this year's campaign chairman.

Before the evening concluded, Man issued a call to action for education volunteers. "As a national movement, United Ways across the country want to recruit one million readers, tutors, and mentors - there is something for everyone with passion and commitment to get things done."

The audience was encouraged to visit United Way Community Builders' website, http://www.uwncm.org/, which has a variety of education volunteer opportunities available.

"As most of you know, we do a lot of work in the area of education through our United Way Youth Venture program. Very simply, volunteers make the difference in schools that succeed," concluded Man.