Adopt-A-Child

The first day of school can be a tough time for needy children whose parents cannot afford a nice outfit and/or appropriate school supplies. A child’s self-image has a dramatic effect on performance in the classroom and the lack of a positive self-image can create lasting consequences.

United Way believes that the first day of school is an important event in a child’s life that is often overlooked. Thus, we started the Adopt–A–Child Back to School Program in 1999, where we served 30 children. We have continued this program each year and it has grown dramatically, with over 500 children served last year alone. This year, we expect the number of children in need to be even higher. We need your help!

We are currently in the process of recruiting donors for our program this year. We are hoping that the generous spirit of our local residents will extend to the many needy children in our area as they make their way back to school in the Fall. The future of many of these children depends on their performance in school and we want to ensure that all children are on a level playing field.

If you or your company wants to take part in this valuable program and help a child in need, please call Beverly at United Way (860-582-9559). You will be asked to provide a first day of school outfit for a child, along with a backpack filled with school supplies. We will provide you with a child’s first name, sex, clothing sizes, and favorite colors to help you in purchasing your gift. We would like to have all donations back to United Way by the first week of August, so that we may distribute the gifts before the first day of school.

Letter to the Editor: Thank You to Donors from United Way

On behalf of the United Way of West Central Connecticut and our community partners, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all those who participated in the 2011 Adopt-a-Child Back to School Program. Over 400 students have been adopted for the first day of school thanks to the generous individuals and organizations in our community! As a result of your kindness, these children from the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville and Plymouth received new outfits, backpacks and school supplies for the first day of school. These donations will help to ensure that these children start off the school year with confidence and hope.

This year, we were also able to collect and donate 49 backpacks for the Chippens Hill Middle School’s “Step Up for Success Program.”

Thanks to the following individuals: Lynn Abrahamson; Karen Agosto; Sandra Andre; Lucy Archaski; Lisa Ayotte; Deb Bailey; Ann Bartlett; Amy Battisto; Jodi Bean; Claudia Bechard; Carissa Bentley; Jarre Betts; Barbara Birkett; Janet Blauvelt; Sara Bolduc; Linda Bollard; Jodi Bond; Penny Borovsky; Marie Bowes; Sherri Brault; Maureen Briggs; Dale Brown; Joan Brown; Trudy Brown; Robyn Bugbee; Denise Bujak; Joann Bujak; Brandi Byrne; Carol Calderoni; Pat Carlisle; Valina Carpenter; Christen Cassidy; Susan Cassin; Pamela Castonguay; Amy Caucci; Margaret Centurelli; Anna Chamberland; Dolores Charpentier; Kristen Cianci; Susan Ciccarelli; Jennifer Clark; Marcia Collin; Florence Connelly; Paula Corrao; Debbie Dabrowski; Eloise Danko; Debbie Della; Bernarda; Karen Dellaire; Carol Denehy; Nancy Denehy; Meryl Derasno; Linda DeSchaine; Kathy DeSimone; Jena Doolittle; Eleanor Doyle; Maureen Eaton; Susan Fazzuoli; Margi Fletcher; Dawn Ford; Grace Gagnon; Mary Lynn Gagnon; Mitch Gagnon; Pamela Glazier; Diane Godbout; Holly Gonyea; Andrea Graham; Kate Grenier; Debbie Grisko; Debra Gurski; Karen Hackett; Helen Hahn; Karen Hallsey; Mary Jane Henriques; Jane Holden; Diana Huizenga; Abby Hurd; Sheryl Jakubiak; Kathleen Johnpierre; Mary Jane Johnson; Geraldine Jones; Lori Kelly; Sally Kish; Pamela Kowal-Swartart; Barbara Krampitz; Erc Labadia; Jackie LaChance; Chris LaPlaca; Claudia Larsen; Debra LaRoche; Diane Latour; Jennifer Lavoie; Tanya Ledesma; Maryann Lessard; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lessard; Jenifer Llorens; Dixie Losey; Michelle Louca; Kathy Malavenda; Tony Malavenda; Linda Mannarino; Pat Mansfield; Pat Marchand; Mary Markoski; Nancy Markoski; Nilda Martinez; Rosalyn Massei; Maryann Mazzone; Cindy McCool; Jodi McGrane; Pamela Medlock; Sabrina Melanson; Jeffrey Merrow; Nancy Merrow; Deidre Methe; Betty Meusel; Carolyn Micanovic; Linda Middleton; Nola Miller; Kathy Monteiro; Christine Moreau; Denise Morin; Joella Bouchard Mudry; Tina Murphy; Mike Noble; Melissa Notis; Susan O’Brien; Chris O’Dell; Carol O’Reagan; Eleanor O’Reagan; Donna Osuch; Donna Papazian; Dave Pasqualicchio; Carrie Patterson; Patty Patterson; Courtney Peace; Sandy Pelletier; Lisa Penikas; Pat Pesut; Christine Petosa; Mike Petosa; Bob Pezze; Patty Philippon; Arlene Poucher; Gene Prentiss; Greg Provencal; Carol Quinn; Patty Quinn; Tom Quinn; Susan Rafaniello; Darcy Rajotte; Maria Randall; Linda Reed; Danielle Rivard; Marie Rivard; Suzanne Rocco; Frances Rock; Connie Rodriguez; Pamela Rogers; Myra Sampson; June Schilling; Sarah Schilling; Erianna Shackford; Melissa Shackford; Nya Shackford; Linda Schultz; Karen Smith; Mary Smith; Diane Spinelli; Mary Ann Spirito; Karen Stevens; Faith Stewart; Margaret Straub; Gina Swenton; Dawn Swingle; Diane Sylvester; Ken Sylvester; Theresa Tardiff; Tina Taylor; Brenda Tella; Kathy Troccolo; Tina Twiggs; Sharon Valerio; Barbara Villani; Billee Wallace; Nancy Williams; Lyell Williams; Eleanor Wilson; Lillian Wojcik; Ann Wojsnarowicz; Beth Wotusik; Melissa Wood; Phyllis Worhunsky and Kathy Zbikowski.

Thanks also to the employees and members of the following companies and organizations: All State Construction, Inc.; Barnes Group; Bristol Adult Resource Center; Bristol Baptist Church Youth Group; Bristol Hospital – Volunteer Department; Bristol Hospital Cardiac Rehab; Bristol Hospital-ICU; Bristol Housing Authority; Bristol Lions Club; Bristol Preschool and Child Care Center; Bristol-Burlington Health District; Bristol Pediatrics; Carling Technologies; Central CT Chambers of Commerce; City Hall – Comptroller’s Office; City of Bristol; City of Bristol – Public Works; CL&P; CT Community Care; DeLorenzo Towers; Drs. Bencivengo & Maier; First Bristol Federal Credit Union; Forestville Village Association; Gene F. Prentiss & Co.; Globe Travel; Grace Nesci-Lodge #186 OSIA; Greater Bristol Labor Council; Greater Bristol Primary Care Group; J.W. Green Company; Jump Zone of Waterbury; Kathi Sorey & Associates; Lincoln College of New England; Louis Toffolon Elementary School; Manross Library; Nuchie’s Restaurant; Plymouth Rock Assurance; Pratt & Whitney; St. Andrew Lutheran Church; The Hamzy Law Firm; The Woman’s Club of Plainville, Inc.; Three Leaf Landscaping; Town of Burlington; Town of Plymouth-Department of Human Services; Tracy-Driscoll Insurance; Wachtel, Shafran & Moore, LLC; Webster Bank; Webster Bank of Waterbury; Wheeler Regional YMCA; Yarde Metals; Young Professionals for United Way and YWCA - Sexual Assault Crisis Services.

Special thanks to Logan Gomez, our summer intern, who was a big help this year. Thank you to our special helpers, Grace Gagnon, Kelly Green, Colin McGowan, Rachel Seleman, Nick Villani and Nolan Villani, for their generosity and dedication to this project. Last, but not least, thanks to Cindy Trifone and several members of the Plainville Kids in the Middle for offering your assistance in our time of need.

Thank you to everyone in our community who Lives United,
Beverly Dean
Office Manager