The Greenwich United Way Board of Directors Annual Meeting took place on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at the Greenwich Country Club. Members of the organization’s staff and Board welcomed seven new Board members: Shari Aser, Laura Erickson, Debra Hess, Nicole Kwasniewski, Lisa Lori, John Maus and Karen Oztemel. Three retiring members of the Board are: Elizabeth Angelone, Kath Burgweger and Pamela Fornero.
Chairman of the Board Anne Sherrerd kicked off the Annual Meeting with a review of the work conducted and the many successful results achieved by the Greenwich United Way in the past year, and reiterated the organization’s commitment to both Direct Impact programming and its community investment process.
“All of us who work on behalf of the Greenwich United Way share a vision, which is that every member of our local community will have the opportunity to be healthy, educated and self-sufficient,” said Sherrerd. “And this vision also drives the hundreds of volunteers and the thousands of donors each year who make it happen.”
Sherrerd reported that fundraising events were strong in 2018 with the annual flagship fundraiser, the Sole Sisters Luncheon, featuring Melissa Bernstein of Melissa and Doug Toys, raising more than $220,000; the golf tournament in May garnering $55,000 for Human Services Technology Services Direct Impact Program; and the 85th Anniversary celebration in October, which brought together multiple generations of enthusiastic supporters, raising $256,000 for programs in the community.
In 2018, the Greenwich United Way conducted two rounds of community investment grants. After distributing $750,000 last January, an additional $225,000 was awarded in June plus $516,000 in services and programs for a total of $1.49 million invested last year alone.
A sampling of the organization’s funding included: crisis intervention for 1,000 teenagers, after-school care for 350 children, preschool scholarships to 600 youth, daytime care for 86 frail and elderly residents, emergency shelter for more than 150 individuals per day, aid to help more than 100 Greenwich residents fighting addiction, and 8,000 rides – transportation for the elderly and disabled in Greenwich.
Visit Greenwich United Way online for more information (greenwichunitedway.org) to learn more about the work the organization is doing and the people it serves in real time.
