The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)

Agency to kick off campaign in grand fashion

Party will feature music, noise makers, networking

- By Kevin Wilhelm Kevin Wilhelm is president and CEO of the Middlesex United Way in Middletown.

While the sun setting earlier and the hoodies coming out often signify summer coming to an end, things are just starting to heat up here at Middlesex United Way. This time of year marks the start of our annual campaign kickoff, and our staff is preparing for what we hope to be our biggest year yet.

In case you don’t already know what a workplace campaign is, here is a summary: At each workplace campaign, a key person or group of individual­s, known as campaign coordinato­r(s), plan and execute employee-giving campaigns, sometimes working with a group of volunteers within the company.

Most campaigns hold a kickoff event or meeting to introduce the campaign and inform employees about the ways they can make an impact with a gift to Middlesex United Way.

Any company — from two employees to 20,000 — can hold a Middlesex United Way campaign. All of the dollars raised by your company stay here in Middlesex County — unless otherwise specified by the donor — to create measurable impact in education, health, housing and financial stability.

If your company runs a United Way campaign, you help make it bigger with an even larger percentage of employee engagement. Share with your coworkers how and why you support United Way, become a campaign volunteer, and work side by side with us, or join one of our affinity groups and meet other likeminded individual­s in the community.

Many companies offer special events to get employees involved and excited, and some companies even hold closing or wrapup events to thank employees at the end of the campaign. Some examples include Pratt & Whitney’s annual golf tournament­s and gourmet hot dog day, Middlesex Health’s food truck day, Liberty Bank’s LBay auction and many dress down/jean days.

Throughout the campaign, our staff and loaned executive guide the way and answer any questions you may have.

We provide readytouse promotiona­l materials, as well as customizab­le templates. And we are always willing to come in and speak to your employees about the many positive reasons to support Middlesex United Way.

United Way can customize each campaign to best fit your company’s needs and desires.

We will officially launch our campaign Oct. 1 at Liberty Bank’s new corporate headquarte­rs. They have generously offered their space for us to use, so we are throwing a fullfledge­d kickoff party. There will be music, noise makers and fun to be had for all. This year, you will have the opportunit­y to network with other likeminded individual­s, hear from Liberty Bank CEO David W. Glidden, and be “reintroduc­ed” to our campaign cochairmen.

This kickoff gives the opportunit­y to bring together some of our most passionate and committed partners and volunteers, as well as gives us the opportunit­y to explain how every campaign coordinato­r and contributo­rs can play a role in the betterment of our community. We will share stories of our community’s growth and how we plan on accomplish­ing a successful campaign with everyone’s help.

We would like to invite everyone to join us for this jampacked morning.

For the second campaign in a row, the campaign will be led by our four campaign cochairs, Justin Carbonella, Joe Santaniell­o, Meg Slater and Toral Maher. These four ran an incredible campaign their first year, and we know great things are in store this campaign season.

To attend, contact Maria Wood at 8603468695 or maria.wood@middlesexu­nitedway.org.

As we start this year’s campaign, we hope more and more will find their passion for helping and join the team. If you are interested, we would love to tell you more. Contact Manny Martinez at 8603468695 or manny.martinez@middlesexu­nitedway.org.

 ?? Contribute­d photo ?? Liberty Bank’s new corporate headquarte­rs is located on Long Hill Road in Middletown.
Contribute­d photo Liberty Bank’s new corporate headquarte­rs is located on Long Hill Road in Middletown.
 ?? Contribute­d photo ?? Kevin Wilhelm is president and CEO of the Middlesex United Way in Middletown.
Contribute­d photo Kevin Wilhelm is president and CEO of the Middlesex United Way in Middletown.

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