JOY OF SHARING

On behalf of the United Way of West Central Connecticut and our partners in the community that provide help to those in need, I would like to express our sincerest appreciation to all those organizations and individuals who made the 2009 Joy of Sharing Program a success!

For the 11th year in a row, United Way has collected food, toys, and gifts from local companies and individuals and then donated the items to needy children and families in the area. This year over 3,100 toys and gifts had been requested through United Way, along with countless food baskets for the holiday season.

Through its “Joy of Sharing” program, United Way of West Central Connecticut is able to create a true Christmas Connection – generous individuals who wish to donate gifts or food during the holiday season are able to give to those who need them the most and non-profit organizations can ensure that they have enough to give to those they serve.

On behalf of the United Way of West Central Connecticut and our partners in the community that provide help to those in need, we would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for helping to brighten the holiday season for local families in need.

Thanks to the following companies and organizations: All Five Tool Company; Anderson, Alden, Hayes, Ziogas; Arthur G. Russell Co.; Atlantic Precision Spring, Inc.; B&B Tool Co., Inc.; Bauer Inc.; Beekley Corporation; Bristol Adult Resource Center; Bristol Eastern High School; Bristol Garden Club Members; Bristol Hospital - Volunteer Department; Bristol Sports Hall of Fame; Bristol Water Department; Bristol Women's Club; City of Bristol; Conveyco Technologies; D. Wachtel, Shafran & Moore; Dynamic Metals; DR Templeman; ESPN; Farmington Savings Bank; General Re-New England Asset Management; Globe Travel Service; Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce; Greater Bristol Mothers of Multiples; Greene-Hills School; HRP Associates, Inc.; IDEX Health & Science; Imagine Nation Museum; Ivy Drive School (Toys for Tyler); Kathi Sorey Associates; Lake Compounce; LR Virtual Resources; Memorial Boulevard School - Band "MBMS"; Metal Finishing Technologies; Nesma ; Parsons Buick; Penny's Playground; Plainville Community Food Pantry; Plymouth Family Resource Center @ Plymouth Public Schools; Prudential; R. Laviero Plumbing, Heating & A/C; Sheriden Woods HCC; Shop Rite of Bristol; St. Paul Catholic High School; The Pines at Bristol; Theis Precision Steel Corporation; Tracy, Driscoll & Co. Inc.; Triad Healthcare; Ultimate Companies; EXCL at Union School; Webster Bank; Western Connecticut Harley Owners Group; Wheeler YMCA; and YWCA New Britain.

Thanks to the following individuals: Jean Andrews; Lisa Ayotte; Deborah Bailey; Anne Bartlett; Elizabeth Beattie; Joan Brown; Kalee Brunell, Miss Bristol;Susan Cannon; Valina Carpenter; Pam Castonguay; Jennifer Clark; Sherri Contadini; Rich Corliss; James Dakin; Betty Dauphinee; Sarah Dupont; The Edelman Family ; The Fippinger Family; Mary Jane Henriques; Sally Kish; Chris LaPlaca; Anthony Malavenda; Brett & Morgan Madore; Kelly Maghini Roberts; Kristie Oren; Donna Osuch; Wanita Parent; Courtney Peace; Patti Philippon; Lucille Raymond; Pamela Rogers; Sarah Schilling; Karen Stevens; Earl Struble; Linda Tonon; Kathy Troccolo; Valerie Swinson; Tom VanNostrand; and Nancy Younghans.

Special thanks also goes to these individuals who helped to ring the bell for the Salvation Army Kettle Drive on Saturday, December 12th at the Forestville Stop & Shop: Deborah Bailey; Hilary Burns; Sam Cloutier; Patricia Coley; Betty Dauphinee; Donna Day; Brett Deccy; Eric Finley; McKenzie Garrity; Mitch Gagnon; Patti Kalat & KIM Kids; Josh Krampitz; Tracy Mazerolle; Amber Metesky; Kasey Olsen; Mike Petit; Charlie Rivard; Taylor Sassu; Ivana Schulman; Corrine Stinton; Jocelyn Testa; and Missy Zommer.

Last but certainly not least, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to our “elves” who gave so much of their time to ensure that this project was a success: Grace Gagnon, Mitch Gagnon, Kelly Green, Kristie & Christopher Oren, and Nolan Villani.

We are blessed to have such a wonderful community that supports our work. Thank you to everyone for choosing to LIVE UNITED this holiday season.