The Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) of the Valley United Way, and Mr. Jack Brady of Ansonia, were recently honored as recipients of Birmingham Group Health Services, Inc.’s (BGHS) Good Neighbor Awards at the organization’s Annual Meeting on October 20th.
The BGHS Good Neighbor Awards are presented annually to a corporation/business and an individual who have shown outstanding support of BGHS and the individuals and families that the organization serves.
Corporate Volunteer Council
The Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) of the Valley United Way received the BGHS Corporate Good Neighbor Award in recognition of more than a decade of service to BGHS – specifically in support of the organization’s The Umbrella domestic violence program and My Sister’s Place family thrift shop whose proceeds support The Umbrella.
For many years, the CVC has been a driving force behind the success of My Sister’s Place (MSP), a unique family thrift shop whose proceeds benefit The Umbrella. Regular and sizeable donations of new and/or gently used clothing, housewares, furniture and other household items are key to MSP’s, and thus The Umbrella’s, survival.
In 2009 alone, the CVC was responsible for donating approximately 13,000 pounds of clothing and other goods to My Sister’s Place, netting an estimated $83,000 in sales to support The Umbrella program. Over the past decade, CVC donations have made up more than half of the store’s donations and continue to serve as a main revenue generator each year.
Ensuring MSP has a steady and quality supply of donated items to sell is only one part of the CVC’s continuing commitment to assisting BGHS. The CVC has thrice designated BGHS as the recipient of its annual Week of Caring project, helping to renovate and paint MSP to improve operations and make it more appealing to customers and other donors; and renovating, repairing, and improving The Umbrella program’s domestic violence shelter – Antoinette’s House. For this year’s CVC Week of Caring project, 100 CVC volunteers spent a full day washing walls, windows, and ceiling fans; planting beautiful mums; trimming shrubs; organizing the children’s play room; and making beds with hand-made quilts at Antoinette’s House.
“It’s impossible to fully stress how important the CVC’s support is to our ability to maintain MSP and The Umbrella program and continue providing help to women and children affected by domestic violence,” said Arlene Greco, Director of Development for BGHS. “With the CVC’s commitment, we have been able to grow both the store and The Umbrella program and ensure critical services are in place to meet community needs. Presenting the CVC with this award is only one small measure of our sincere appreciation for all that they do.”
Jack Brady
Jack Brady received the BGHS individual Good Neighbor Award for his nearly two decades of service to the organization and its domestic violence program The Umbrella. Before stepping down in 2009, Jack served as an active and invaluable member of the BGHS Board of Directors, helping to guide the organization’s mission and growth for over 14 years; and served as a Compeer volunteer, providing the gift of time and friendship to persons with mental illness.
In addition to his involvement in a multitude of other BGHS service projects, Jack has also been a major force behind the success of the BGHS Holiday Under the Tree and Back-To-School Programs, coordinating the donation of literally hundreds of gifts for BGHS families from the Assumption Church congregation, and the donation of the Assumption Church Hall as the community drop off and client pick-up location for both the Holiday Giving and Back-To-School programs.
In addition to these works, over the years, Jack has assisted several families serviced by The Umbrella with furniture and other household goods. He continually makes donations of groceries and household items to benefit Antoinette’s House, and has also coordinated an effort to ensure that each child who arrives in the shelter receives winter gear – including hats, gloves and scarves, and a warm fleece blanket.
“Jack’s commitment to BGHS is nothing short of outstanding,” said Greco. “His volunteer efforts are a remarkable demonstration of how one person can make a dramatic impact on the lives of many persons in need and on the success of outreach and fundraising efforts of community organizations like BGHS. We are so proud and honored to have been able to present him with the Good Neighbor Award this year.”
For more information about Birmingham Group Health Services, Inc. visit www.bghealth.org or call 203 – 736-2601. To see pictures of the BGHS Annual meeting and the Good Neighbor Award presentation visit the BGHS Facebook page.
