Campaign Kicks Off!
Community at Breakfast
“Hearing Yes is life changing.” Stephen Lewis, president and CEO of Thomaston Savings Bank, stepped into his new role as our 2026-2027 campaign chair during our annual campaign kickoff breakfast yesterday morning at La Bella Vista,in Waterbury. If you missed the breakfast, take just 180 seconds to watch our two campaign videos – yes, there are TWO videos this year – and ask yourself, “If this was someone you knew, and they truly needed a hand up, what would you say to them?”
What would you say if that person was a stranger, someone you didn’t know?
According to Stephen, “If you start with Yes, you can make everything possible.”
Almost 400 people brought nearly 900 antiperspirants/deodorants with them to donate to United Way shelter and homeless response partners as they came to learn what United Way of Greater Waterbury plans to do for the coming year: how people in our community will be able to deal with immediate problems like hunger, homelessness, and long-term issues that can be addressed with tools that restore financial security and provide educational opportunities for our children.
The Just Say Yes creative was produced by longtime United Way partner WORX of Prospect, Connecticut.
ALICE Report: It’s Here!
As our kickoff guests enjoyed a buffet underwritten by United Way’s sponsors, the latest ALICE report was released, providing data that will be used by non-profits, legislators, and many others to truly understand the problems faced by those of us making more than the amount described by the Federal Poverty Level but not enough to avoid gut-wrenching financial choices.
The need is hot on the heels of help. 32% of households in our area qualify as ALICE - meaning they can’t afford the basics, even though employed. Add them to the households at the Federal Poverty level, the number jumps to 47%! That’s almost 46,000 households that need the resources associated with United Way.
Decisions based on ALICE data make donations go farther. More people benefit.
Let’s Eat!
Former Campaign Chairs Stacy and George LaCapra, along with Malina and Mason LaCapra, took to the kickoff breakfast stage to introduce an exciting way for everyone to fill our bellies and our hearts. One $25 ticket will buy a chance to win:
• First Prize: 52 $100 local restaurant gift certificates ($5,200 value)
• Second Prize: 52 $50 local restaurant gift certificates ($2,600 value)
• Third Prize: $500 gift card
Only 2,500 tickets will be sold in the raffle, which is sponsored by Thomaston Savings Bank. It’s easy to participate. Just click image above to help our local restaurants and the people we call our neighbors! Proceeds will support United Way food and basic need initiatives.
Day of Caring
After breakfast, where our campaign chair talked the talk, 100 volunteers walked the walk at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Waterbury, donning hairnets and food safe gloves to assemble 21,600 packages of Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal as well as Rice and Beans.
The meals will be delivered locally by United Way partner City Mission to the homebound, adding to the total by those assembled by other volunteers in 50 cities across the country as United Way Worldwide observes the 25th anniversary of 9/11, partnering with September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Together, 20 million meals will be created.
The City of Waterbury donated tables that were laden with ingredients, bags, and tools, set up by Post University Men's Baseball team, Sundel & Milford, Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP, and Fine Fettle. In under two hours, 25 companies and organizations filled, weighed, and sealed the meal bags amid laughter encouraged by Matthew Martin, Regional Manager at The Outreach Program, before the food was loaded onto the box truck used by City Mission for local distribution.
MAKE YOUR PLEDGE TODAY BY CLICKING IMAGE BELOW - START WITH YES!
