While the sun setting earlier and the hoodies coming out often signify summer coming to an end, things are just starting to heat up here at Middlesex United Way. This time of year marks the start of our annual campaign kick-off, and our staff is preparing for what we hope to be our biggest year yet.
In case you don’t already know what a workplace campaign is, here is a summary: At each workplace campaign, a key person or group of individuals, known as campaign coordinator(s), plan and execute employee-giving campaigns, sometimes working with a group of volunteers within the company.
Most campaigns hold a kickoff event or meeting to introduce the campaign and inform employees about the ways they can make an impact with a gift to Middlesex United Way.
Any company — from two employees to 20,000 — can hold a Middlesex United Way campaign. All of the dollars raised by your company stay local here in Middlesex County — unless otherwise specified by the donor — to create measurable impact in education, health, housing and financial stability.
If your company runs a United Way campaign, you help make it bigger with an even larger percentage of employee engagement. Share with your coworkers how and why you support United Way, become a campaign volunteer, and work side by side with us, or join one of our affinity groups and meet other like-minded individuals in the community.
Many companies offer special events to get employees involved and excited, and some companies even hold closing or wrap-up events to thank employees at the end of the campaign. Some examples include Pratt & Whitney’s annual golf tournaments and gourmet hot dog day, Middlesex Health’s food truck day, Liberty Bank’s LBay auction and many dress down/jean days.
Throughout the campaign, our staff and loaned executive are here to guide the way and answer any questions you may have.
We provide ready-to-use promotional materials, as well as customizable templates. And we are always willing to come in and speak to your employees about the many positive reasons to support Middlesex United Way.
United Way can customize each campaign to best fit your company’s needs and desires.
We will officially launch our campaign Oct. 1 at Liberty Bank’s new corporate headquarters. They have generously offered up their space for us to use, so we are throwing a full-fledged kick-off party. There will be music, noise makers, and fun to be had for all. This year, you will have the opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals, hear from Liberty Bank CEO David W. Glidden, and be “re-introduced” to our campaign cochairs.
This kick-off gives up the opportunity to bring together some of our most passionate and committed partners and volunteers, as well as gives us the opportunity to explain how every campaign coordinator and contributors can play a role in the betterment of our community. We will share stories of our community’s growth and how we plan on accomplishing a successful campaign with everyone’s help.
We would like to invite everyone to join us for this jam-packed morning.
For the second campaign in a row, the campaign will be led by our four campaign co-chairs, Justin Carbonella, Joe Santaniello, Meg Slater and Toral Maher. These four ran an incredible campaign their first year, and we know great things are in store this campaign season.
To attend, contact Maria Wood at 860-346-8695 or maria.wood@middlesexunitedway.org.
As we start this year’s campaign, we hope more and more will find their passion for helping and join the team. If you are interested, we would love to tell you more. Contact Manny Martinez at 860-346-8695 or manny.martinez@middlesexunitedway.org.
Kevin Wilhelm is president and CEO of the Middlesex United Way in Middletown.
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