United Way thanks community for giving

MIDDLETOWN — Another year, another successful Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project completed. We are grateful for the various individuals, schools, organizations, businesses, churches and nonprofits who came together to prepare more than 1,000 baskets of food for the holiday. On behalf of the Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project, I’d like to dedicate this week’s column to thank all of you.

The days, weeks, even hours leading up to Thanksgiving are always the best. It is remarkable to see our community embrace this effort to ensure our neighbors can sit down with their families on Thanksgiving and enjoy the holiday.

There was a job to be had for everyone, from ensuring all of the Thanksgiving baskets had the makings of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, to volunteering at events such as Fill-a-Bus and numerous turkey drives.

For your time and talent on the planning committee, we thank: the city of Middletown, Community Renewal Team, Cross Street AME Zion Church, Eight Sixty Racing Enthusiasts, Fellowship Church, Lan Chi’s Vietnamese Restaurant, Liberty Bank Foundation, Middlesex Hospital, Middlesex United Way, Middlesex United Way Young Leaders Society, Middletown Kiwanis Club, Middletown Police Department, Middletown Public Schools, Middletown Rotary Club, St. Luke’s Community Services, St. Vincent DePaul Middletown/Amazing Grace Food Pantry and Wesleyan University.

For your donations, volunteers and support, we appreciatively thank: ABC Women’s Center, ACT Group, Adams of Portland, Adelbrook Community Services, Agway of Middlefield, Aldi’s, Arcadis, Central Connecticut Pediatric Dentistry, Change, Charles IT, Church of the Holy Trinity, Episcopal, City Church, the city of Middletown, Community Health Center, Congregation Adath Israel, Connecticut Valley Hospital, Cross Street AME Zion Church, Connecticut Food Bank, Dattco, David Christopher, David Derita Construction, Elks Lodge 771, ES Racing Enthusiasts, Exquisite Hairstyles, Faith Lutheran Church, Fellowship Church, First Church of Christ Congregational, Gotta’s Farm, Harding Development Group, Heritage Commons, Illiano’s Restaurant, Inn at Middletown, Jackson Chevrolet, Jukonski Truck Sales, Lawrence Elementary School, Luther Ridge, Mahoney, Sabol & Company, Mercy High School, Middlesex Community College Marketing Class, Middlesex Hospital, Middlesex United Way, Middlesex YMCA, Middletown Area Transit, Middletown Police Department, Middletown Public Schools, Middletown Rotary Club, Neighborhood Preschool, One Macdonough Place, Orthopedic Associates of Middletown, Penske Truck Rental, Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney CANEL Lodge, Price Chopper, Re/Max Edge, Salvation Army, Scott’s Orchard, Glastonbury; Seasons Federal Credit Union, Servpro of Middletown, South Congregational Church, St. Luke’s Apartments, St. Luke’s Community Services, St. Pius Church, Stew Leonard’s, Stop & Shop, Middletown, Stor-U-Self, Portland; Suburban Stationers, Sysco, The Herd, Two Guys in Jackets, Ursel’s Web Frame Shop and Art Gallery, The Village at South Farms, Wadsworth Glen Health Care, Water’s Edge Rehabilitation Center, Wesleyan Dining Services (Bon Appetit), Wesleyan University, Wright-Pierce, Xavier High School and Young’s Printing.

For all of the individuals who contributed: Thank you. Your genuine contributions are deeply appreciated.

Middlesex United Way photo Hundreds donated items this year at Stop & Shop as part of the Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project.