FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mary O’Coin, Executive Director
508-765-5491 (office)
OCTOBER 3, 2019, Southbridge, MA — In a kick-off event for the United Way of Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton’s (UWSSC) 2019–2020 campaign, more than 70 people attended a ceremony at Cohasse Country Club, where agency networking and a check presentation highlighted the evening.
The 2019 campaign theme, “Change Doesn’t Happen Alone,” was illustrated in an emotional speech by Campaign Chairman Dawna Dagenais. “Reach out a hand to one and influence the condition of all. Change doesn’t happen alone. Together … we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow,” Dagenais said.
UWSSC Executive Director Mary O’Coin, Dagenais and Board President April Parzych presented 17 agency representatives with a $249,250 check, signifying the promise the UWSSC has made to support their (and other) programs and services.
The UWSSC provides funding to local agencies throughout the three towns to support the United Way’s mission of improving lives through education, financial stability, health, basic needs and literacy. The organization has funded more than 26 programs through 19 nonprofit partner agencies annually, including The YMCA of Central MA—Tri-Community Family Branch, New Hope, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Open Sky, Tri-Valley Elder Services, Community Legal Aid, St. Luke’s Guesthouse, Pathways for Change and many more. In May, the UWSSC’s Community Investment Committee met with local non-profit agencies to review applications and make recommendations for funding during the 2019–2020 campaign year. New agency Our Bright Future joined the list of many nonprofits who received UWSSC grants to help provide services from October 2019 through September 2020 (click for complete list).
Seventeen members agencies were in attendance at the October 3 campaign kick-off to receive the allocation of $249,250 from UWSSC Executive Director Mary O’Coin, Board President April Parzych and Campaign Chairman Dawna Dagenais.