My name is Bill Bubbico and I am Vice President of Business Transformation at Pitney Bowes in Shelton Connecticut. I am proud to say that I have been with Pitney Bowes for over 34 years.
Pitney Bowes has always been an organization where volunteering, community service, and giving back to the community are part of our culture.
When I was introduced to the Valley United Way Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) over eight years ago, I knew that this collaboration of businesses, service organizations, and the local community was positioned to make a difference in the communities where we live and work. I quickly recognized this Council’s capability to drive positive change in the social and economic environment in the Valley in new and creative ways.
A particularly creative endeavor borne out of a CVC brainstorming session was the creation of “Harvest House … A Labor of Love to Feed the Valley”. This concept emerged from a “Week of Caring” project focused on filling the local food banks, and evolved into a bi-annual event at which local businesses and the community come together to build a ‘house of food’ that ultimately fortifies food banks in the Valley.
The heart of Harvest House started as a somewhat primitive structure built of plywood and 2 by 6 stock, by a group of eager CVC members who labored evenings and weekends as volunteers. This structure became the centerpiece for the community to come together and fill the walls with food in support of their neighbors.
This year, as the CVC extended its reach into the educational community, we engaged Emmett O’Brien Technical School in Ansonia to help us design and build a new framework for Harvest House. The administration at Emmett O’Brien embraced the project and made the design and construction part of the 2010 – 2011 curriculum. Creative and talented students at Emmett O’Brien had the opportunity to use their skills and tools to design and construct a new Harvest House structure. This new structure will be unveiled at the Harvest House event the weekend of September 24th. We are looking forward to the community coming out in support of Harvest House, and once again filling its walls to capacity.
I strongly encourage members of the Valley business community to come out and support the Harvest House project, and to invest in the community through volunteerism. A strong community leads to a strong business environment, healthy families and a better quality of life.
As a member and past Chairperson of the CVC, I remain committed to its mission; which is to drive initiatives that help build stronger, healthier communities. I encourage community members and businesses of all sizes to consider joining us in this mission.
For more information about the CVC and how you can participate, please contact Patricia Tarasovic at the Valley United Way office, at 203 – 926-9478.
