Adopt-A-Child

Letter to the Editor: United Way & Donors Help Over 500 Students

We did it! 500+ students adopted for the first day of school! On behalf of the United Way of West Central Connecticut, our partner agencies and community partners, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the following individuals, companies, and organizations for your generous participation in the 2007 Adopt-a-Child Back to School Program. As a result of your kindness, over 500 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.

Thanks to the following individuals: Melba Acevedo, Lisa & Clayton Aiudi, Andrea Alexander, Shirley Anderson, Jennifer Asadow, Lisa Ayotte, Deborah Bailey, Janet Barrette, Louise Barry, Steve Bashaw, Ann Beardsley, Liz Beattie, Syliva Beaulieu, Claudia Bechard, Sharon Belanger, Trish Bell, Sue Bentivengo, Jarre Betts, Tracey Blackman, Leslie Blade, Charlotte Blanchard, Sara Bolduc, Maryann Borry, Geri Ann Bradley, Sherri & Keith Brault, Barbara Braunstein, Lynn Brazauskas, Betsey Broomall, Joan Brown, Trudy Brown, Kris Bryan, Robyn Bugbee, Denise Bujak, Lynn Cabana, Barbara Callahan, Rebecca Cannon, Susan Cannon, Mary Pat Caputo, Valina Carpenter, Heidi Caruso, Amy Caucci, Anna Chamberland, Michelle Charette, Dolores Charpentier, Bill & Priscilla Chiarillo, Kristen Cianci, Susan Ciccarelli, Laurie Clairmont, Jennifer Clark, Karen Clark, Amy Coan, Rebecca Colasanto, Marcia Collin, Sherrie Conpadini, Leslie Contadini, Paula Corrao, Nancy Covini, Larry Covino, Terry Cutler, Darlene Cyr, Nicole Cyr, Karen Dallaire, Serena Damboise, Tessy Damboise, Susan Dance Clairborn, Shannon Daoust, Carol Denehy, Donna Denehy, Nancy Denehy, Kathy DeSimone, Robin Dinibola, Riley Dinoia, Dr. Tony Distasio, John DiVenere, Bernie Dixon, Carol Doiron , Dian Dossias, Barbie Doyle, DJ Doyle, Sherrie Dubois, Doreen Dudzikowski, Diane Duncan, Sylvia Dupont, Barbara Fabrizio, Atty. Jason Famigletti, Donna Fanelli, Debbie Farslow, Germaine Fillion, Margi Fletcher, Carol Foley, Eli Fournier, Arlene Frankowski, Kate Gilbar, Diane Godbout, Holly Goodwin, Karen Grayson, Debbi Grisko, Hannah & Sarah Guerin, Michelle Guilmette, Karen Hackett, Pam Hall, Karen Hallsey, Selma Hamzy, Kara Harlow, Wilma Hart, Barbara Helming, Mary Jane Henriques, Karen Hintz, Sylvia Hobbs, Jane Holden, Wendy Hubbard, Catherine Jacke, Sue Jalbert, Faye Johnpiere, Kathy Johnpierre, Kathy Johnson, Geri Jones, Lori Kelly, Ruth Kelly, Barbara Krampitz, Karen Krasicky, Ercole & Pamela Labadia, Sue & Kate Laberge, Melissa Lachance, Lisa Lacko, Chris LaPlaca, Claudia Larson, Diane Latour, Debbie Lavorgna, Karla Lee, Mary Ann & Michael Lessard, Jeanine Levesque, Colleen & James Levins, Huguette Lizotte, Marilyn Lobaczewski, Meredith Lodge, Shania Loitz, Louise Long, Betty Lopez, Dixey Losey, Pete Lovely, Robin Lund, Diana Macomber, Dawn Madden, Pete Maddox, Robin Manuele, Pat Mansfield, Pat Marchand, Pat Marin, Carol Ann Martin, Emma Matthews, Paul & Barbara Mattson, Trina Maurice, Alicia Mazzone, Mary Ann Mazzone, JoAnn McBrien, Sabrina Melanson, Deidre Methe, Joanne Miarecki, Linda Miller, Don Mitchell, Kathy Monaco, Joe Mone, Carol Montessi, Denise Morin, Barbara Lee Moss, Lillian B. Moss, Karen Murphy, Liz Nadeau, Diana Noberg, Terry Norton, Susan Nowacki, Darlene Oakes, Susan O'Brien, Sherrie Onofrio, Carol & Eleanor O'Regan, Donna Osuch, Elaine Palmese, Donna Papazian, Robin Pape, Wanita Parent, Ellie Parente, Michael & Milly Parks, Dave Pasqualicchio, Patty Patterson, Sandy Pelletier, Steve & Diane Perez, Patricia Philippon, Andrea Piascik, Elizabeth Plisko, Amanda Poules, Lori Preleski, Gene Prentiss, Mary Priestman, Nicole Provenzano, Claudia Rajotte, Cathy Reitmyer, Helen Riccio, Susan Rich, Lori Rizzo, Gloria Robertson, Margaret Robertson, Connie Rodriguez, Pamela Rogers, Sam Rosenberg, Susanne Russo, Anna Rzecinski, Sheila Saladin, Bill Sarno, Penny Saucier, Sarah Schilling, Bob Schultz, Erianna & Nya Shackford, Melissa Shackford, Debbie Shapiro, Rita Sinbelar, Colleen Smith, Karen Smith, Anna Song, Kathi Sorey, Jennifer Spirito, Lisa Stickels, Doreen Stickney, Grace Stranieri, Margaret Straub, Gail Straun, Joanne Strecker, Jan & Phil Streifer, Betty Stretch, Irene Strubel, Brian Suchinski, Laura Sullivan, Pam Swartout, Gina Swenton, Megan Swicklas, Dawn Swingle, Diane Sylvester, Erika Tacchi, Pat Tesut, Marcia Theer, Cheryl Thibeault, Linda Thomas, Sue Trivella, Kathy Troccolo, Dawn Trykowski, Andrew Turner, Luzwilda Vargas, Lisa Vereneau, Audrey Vinci, Grace Vogel, Elaine Wachtel, Rebecca Warkoski, Kathy Webber, Allison White, Joan White, Lynne Whitney, Becky Wiegert, Ruth Wierzbicki, Eleanor Wilson, Beth Wojtusik, Phyllis Worhunsky, Sherry Young, Donna Zaptka, Cathy Zbikowski, Karen Ziogas, and Mark Ziogas.

Thanks also to the employees and members of the following companies and organizations: Acadia Insurance, AIX Group, Associated Spring, BARC, Barnes Group, BCO & RSVP, Beacon Prescriptions, Bristol Development Authority, Bristol Gastroenterology Institute, Bristol Hospital Departments - Counseling Center, CT Gastro Institute, Food & Nutrition, Human Resources, ICU, PAC-U, Public Relations, Social Work, and The Learning Center, Bristol Lions Club, Bristol Police Department, Bristol Preschool, Carpenter Companies, CCOG, Cigna HealthCare, CL&P, Covanta Energy, CT Community Care, DeLorenzo Towers, Dynamic Metals, First Bristol FCU, Forestville Village Association, Globe Travel, Greater Bristol VNA, Imagine Nation Museum, Meridian Towers, Orchards in Southington, PARC, Pediatric Associates, Penny's Playground, People's Bank, Plymouth Board of Education, Pratt & Whitney, Radcliff Wire, Richards Corporation, Rowley Spring, St. Andrew's Church, The Blue Goose, Town of Burlington, Trinity Church, Wachtel, Shafron, & Moore, and Webster Bank.

Special thanks to Kate Laberge, our Adopt-A-Child intern, whose hard work and dedication ensured all 500 students received the help they needed. Thank you to my special helpers, Mitch & Grace Gagnon, whose energy and enthusiasm was infectious. Last, but not least, thanks to Mike Bolingbroke, Stephanie Burns, and Lindsey Matteo and several members of the Plainville Kids in the Middle for offering your assistance in our time of need.

Sincerely,
Colleen Younghans
United Way of West Central CT