United Way of Greater Waterbury Kicks off 2025-2026 Annual Campaign
Jason Gagnon, partner with the law firm of Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP, stepped into his role as campaign chair to introduce approximately 350 members of the community to the theme of the United Way of Greater Waterbury’s annual fundraising campaign: Make Someone’s Moment.
During the kickoff breakfast held Thursday, September 4, at La Bella Vista, 380 Farmwood Rd., Attorney Gagnon asked, “How many times have you had a moment that changed the trajectory of your life?”
He noted that, while people experience moments that set them on a different path, everyone also has the chance to provide those moments. “United Way is about creating moments that lead to lives of self-sufficiency. Whether it’s helping someone out of poverty, providing access to food and housing, or setting up the next generation for success through early childhood programs and out-of-school activities, United Way provides us the opportunity to ‘Make Someone’s Moment’ every day.”
The campaign chair invited everyone in attendance to the United Way’s new campaign video, created by WORX of Prospect, which can be viewed here.
At the free breakfast, underwritten by corporate sponsors, members of the community were invited to bring new sheets that would be distributed among shelter partners. Attorney Gagnon pointed out that this was just one example of how resources come together thanks to United Way. “This is a simple act that will mean so much to the people who find comfort during a hard time, thanks to your generosity.”
He noted a new partnership between his firm and United Way, with a dollar-for-dollar match program for any new donor from these industries who donates $125 or more, inspired by his firm’s 125th anniversary this year.
He also described a raffle ticket initiative that United Way will run throughout the campaign, sweetened by the fact that the ticket wraps a premium chocolate bar created by Fascia’s Chocolates of Waterbury. In addition to participating in workplace and residential fundraising campaigns, businesses, groups, and families are encouraged to buy a box of the specially wrapped chocolate bars, to raise funds that will support residents in the 10-town catchment area of Bethlehem, Cheshire, Middlebury, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott, and Woodbury.
Jered Bruzas, chief impact officer with United Way, explained why the dollars raised are needed, referring to the latest ALICE report, which shows how hardworking people who live above the Federal Poverty Level still struggle to afford the basics. “You’ll find those living below the ALICE threshold in every community: 24% in Middlebury, 34% in Bethlehem, and 26% in Prospect.”
The presentation highlighted the many ways United Way is addressing the need, including the resource hotline 211, Stock the Pantry that fills food bank shelves just as students break for summer, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to ensure workers can file for free and maximize their returns, financial literacy programs to help individuals gain self-sufficiency, and job training programs where adults can earn a ServSafe Food Handler Certificate that leads to a good job.
As she addressed those gathered, Yarixa Lopez of Waterbury HEALTH, who volunteers as United Way Community Impact Cabinet Chair, returned to the campaign theme of Make Someone’s Moment, “One moment, one opportunity, can change everything.”