The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Annual awards to honor community volunteers
MIDDLETOWN — In about one week, on Jan. 25, we will gather at the Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station in Haddam to honor volunteers and community leaders, in addition to celebrating a year of many accomplishments at our annual meeting.
In addition to our traditional recognitions, this year we are excited to introduce the new Justin Wilkie Next Generation Award. The award recognizes a volunteer, under 40 years old, who actively serves Middlesex County with enthusiasm and positive spirit. Please join us as we honor this year’s recipient, as well as three other community leaders, and one nonprofit.
We are proud to recognize Clifford O. Straub with Middlesex United Way’s highest volunteer honor, the Community Service Award, which honors volunteer service to the Middlesex United Way and considers length and continuity of duty.
Straub’s involvement with Middlesex United Way is far reaching. He first started as a member of the Finance Committee in 2002 and went on to serve on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors in 2006. He has served in several leadership capacities, including treasurer, investment chair, and eventually president of the board. Since 1987, Straub has been involved in a wide range of community activities, including serving on the Executive Board for the Long Rivers Council-Boy Scouts of America and St. Luke’s Community Services. Presently, Straub is also a member of the Middletown Rotary Club.
Straub is the president and principal advisor of Lifestyle Financial Strategies in Middletown. He runs a fee-only financial planning and investment advisory practice, helping patrons gain confidence and control over their financial lifestyle. Straub has served on the board of the Financial Planning Association’s Connecticut Valley Chapter, is a member of the Central Connecticut Business and Estate Planning Council, and is a member of the Alliance of Comprehensive Planner.
We are pleased to announce Lorenzo Marshall of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce as the recipient of our 2018 Community Leadership Award. This award recognizes his outstanding leadership in strengthening communities. Marshall is the workforce development director and youth programs coordinator at the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce and is involved in various workplace development initiatives, all striving to create and maintain a healthy workforce in Middletown.
Marshall has proven himself a strong and capable leader through serving as a mentor for youth through the Middletown Summer Youth Employment Program. This program serves as an opportunity to not only provide youth with a positive, meaningful work opportunity, but also serves as an effort to develop a stronger workforce for the future. Marshall is a former loaned executive and board director for the Middlesex United Way. He is also a lifelong coach who has positively influenced countless youth.
Middlesex United Way is pleased to present the Community Impact Award to The Connection, recognizing the organization’s outstanding commitment to improving lives and community conditions.
Starting in 1972, The Connection has served as a nonprofit human service and community development agency. In the years since, it has grown into a multifaceted organization. Over 600 employees help thousands of individuals throughout Connecticut monthly with diverse services ranging from behavioral health to family support and community justice programs.
Today, they are also serving in partnership with the Middlesex United Way as co-leads on the Working Cities Challenge, an initiative of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to promote economic growth throughout cities in Connecticut, as well as other parts of New England.
Middlesex United Way is pleased to present the Tocqueville Society Philanthropy Award to Vincent Capece, president and CEO of Middlesex Hospital, for his significant role in inspiring philanthropy. He and Middlesex Hospital are longtime supporters of the Middlesex United Way. Through his strong leadership and personal giving, the hospital has always been incredibly supportive of Middlesex United Way, from running an excellent workplace campaign to sponsoring loaned executive Audrey Livingston to assist us during the busy campaign season.
Our goals and values are very similar to that of Middlesex Hospital, and we are fortunate to share numerous partners with them, including The Community Foundation of Middlesex County, MARC Community Resources, Middlesex YMCA and Gilead Community Services.
Vin Capece has served on the Middlesex United Way’s board of directors as treasurer and served as the Middlesex United Way Campaign chair in 2013-14. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of Middlesex County and the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce. Vin Capece is an excellent example of someone who can not only get involved in the betterment of a community but someone who can lead others to help as well. He is a committed and well-respected leader.
Middlesex United Way is pleased to present the first annual Justin Wilkie Next Generation Award to Kevin Harris, who is on the steering committee for the Middlesex United Way Young Leaders Society and United Way Campaign Cabinet. This past December, he successfully co-led the annual Stuff-a-Cruiser event, which helped raise gifts for over 50 teens in need.
Harris inspires the next generation of community advocates and leaders by his hard work and commitment to service. He is actively involved in various networking groups throughout the county, including the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Alliance Member.
He is an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America Connecticut Rivers Council and is a recipient of the Eagle Scout Award. We look forward to continuing our work with Harris as Middlesex United Way continues its focus on developing the next generation of leaders.
We hope you will join us in honoring these fine people and organizations for their work in helping to create a better Middlesex County.
The Middlesex United Way annual meeting will be held Jan. 25 at the Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station. Tickets are $20. A full hot breakfast will be served at 8 a.m., and the program will begin at 8:30 a.m. To attend, contact Amanda Furlong at Amanda.furlong@Middlesexunitedway.org or call 860-346-8695.