Mark your calendar for roast, breakfast, Power of the Purse

MIDDLETOWN — The Middlesex United Way has an exciting lineup of upcoming events. We’re working on not one — but three — fun events and we’d love to tell you about them.

First, May 8, we will honor local companies and their employees for their support of Middlesex United Way at our annual campaign awards breakfast at the Middletown Elks Lodge at 8 a.m.

Tickets for this event are $20 and include a hot breakfast. It is a fun morning, and we give out a variety of awards honoring companies who achieve 75 percent employee participation in the United Way campaign, companies who have experienced five consecutive years of growth in their campaigns, and much more. Stay tuned to hear who will be honored for their Corporate Spirit, Leadership, and Funding Partner Achievement, as well as Coordinator of the Year.

The event will be filled with great food and lots of appreciation for the local people and organizations who support our community and Middlesex United Way. If you’d like to RSVP please visit middlesexunitedway.org/calendar.

Next up on the calendar is the 10th annual Power of the Purse, hosted by the Women’s Initiative, June 14 at the Elks Club in Middletown. This signature event of the year features a silent auction, dinner and entertainment.

The fundraiser will feature handbags, totes, purses and more — a tribute to the name Power of the Purse. Proceeds benefit the work of the Women’s Initiative to strengthen the lives of women and children in Middlesex County. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by visiting muw-powerofthepurse.eventbrite.com.

In celebration of its 10th year, the Women’s Initiative is inviting you to celebrate with them by making a cash donation in addition to your ticket purchase. Donations of $100 or more will be listed in the event program under Friends of the Women’s Initiative. We would also like to thank Liberty Bank, a generous sponsor of this event for the last several years.

If you cannot attend but wish to contribute a taxdeductible gift, or if you wish to contribute an item to the auction, please email Marisa Fede at marisa.fede@middlesexunitedway.org.

Last but not least, if you enjoy good laughs, we hope you’ll join us for the eighth annual Middlesex United Way Leadership Circle Roast Oct. 24 at the Middletown Elks Club. This year’s honoree is Harry Eben Burr. The roast is often the highlight of our year and makes for one very memorable night. This event benefits the work of the Middlesex United Way.

All of these events are open to the public, and we hope that you join us in the spirit of community and giving back.

Contributed photo TheACT Group, based in Cromwell, is a 2017-18 gold corporate sponsor of the Middlesex United Way.