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A quarter of century of improving lives
United Way thanks volunteers at its 25th campaign finale
For Release (March 22nd 9 pm) - We are better together. That was the message that over 200 individuals heard as the United Way of North Central Massachusetts celebrated its 25th volunteer recognition and campaign event Tuesday evening at the Four Points Sheraton.
The annual event held each spring follows nearly ten months of campaigning by United Way and its volunteers. Charitable dollars are raised through corporate donations and employee workplace giving for nearly 70 community health and human service programs.
This year’s Campaign Co-Chairs Leslie and Peter Bovenzi thanked the over 5,000 contributors to the campaign drive and recognized many organizations and businesses for achieving certain giving levels.
“We have had a very successful general campaign drive that has been unsurpassed for corporate donations and employee giving,” noted Bovenzi. The annual campaign also has a major donor division that includes large individual gifts. “Although we have not finalized our major division campaign, we feel confident that we will make goal by the end of our fiscal year.”
Daniel Asquino, chairman of the board, noted that the United Way of North Central Massachusetts was created in 1979 when the United Way of Fitchburg and Leominster merged. Ronald M. Ansin, who is still active in United Way today, was the first campaign chairman. “We are better together. The success of the merger was one of the driving forces behind the merger of United Way of Gardner and North Central Massachusetts in 1998.”
In addition, nine Community Builders were recognized at the event. Community Builders is a partnership between United Way and Mount Wachusett Community College to promote and recognize volunteerism.
Karson Aubuchon, of Princeton, who heads the Community Builders committee, presented engraved hammers to nine individuals for their volunteer work.
Judy Collette, Gardner; Pauline Johnson, Fitchburg; and Beverly Maranda, Fitchburg were recognized for their volunteer contributions to United Way.
Ida Gray of Westminster was thanked for helping women reclaim their independence at Battered Women’s Resources, Inc. by working with children 2 hours every week for the past 6 years.
Rita Lalli, of Groton, for the past 13 years has read mail, written out checks, and assisted with other projects for a blind married couple in Townsend .
After falling on difficult times, Tom Moser, of Leominster, used his computer expertise to give back to the MAC Center in Leominster, which was instrumental in his recovery.
In her 80’s now, Shirley Pick of Fitchburg continues to volunteer as a reading tutor for Literacy Volunteers, like she has for the past 20 plus years.
Elizabeth Swenson, of East Templeton, enjoyed her volunteer experience with The Salvation Army so much that she returned to assist with their Time Out for Youth Program in 2004.
Francis “Bart” Bartolomeo, of Leominster, and his crew of six cut down and transported approximately 500 Christmas trees in one day so all the proceeds from the sale of the trees could benefit United Way of North Central Massachusetts’ Community Care Fund.
Asquino wrapped up the evening by announcing that Jim Javaras of Princeton will be the 2005-06 Campaign Chair.
The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Baldwinville, Barre, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.
Leave a lasting legacy, remember the United Way of North Central Massachusetts in your will or estate plan.
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