Valley United Way: Flynn Nominations Due, Lots More Happening

The deadlines for several events sponsored by the Valley United Way are approaching.

Flynn Humanitarian Award

Valley United Way is now accepting nominations for the Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award, the Valley’s oldest and most prestigious award for community service.

The award will be presented at Valley United Way’s Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner in April.

You can learn more about the awards and past winners, and nominate someone for this year’s award by clicking here.

Second Annual Denim And Diamonds

Throw on your favorite pair of jeans, your best bling and bring your friends!

The second annual Denim and Diamonds” fundraiser for the Valley United Way is scheduled for Saturday, March 1 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Molto Bene Italian American Kitchen, 557 Wakelee Ave., Ansonia.

Enjoy a fun filled night of great hors d’oeuvres, wine tasting, dancing, and a chance to WINDIAMOND!

Additional jewelry will be raffled off by A.J. Klein Jewelers, Lewis Jewelers, Marks of Design, LLC, Premier Designs, and Tickled Pink.

Call or email by Friday (Feb. 21) for tickets! For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Sara at (203) 926‑9478 or sara.aylward@valleyunitedway.org

You may also purchase tickets online at our website.

Community Corporate Cup

There’s less than a week to go before Corporate Cup 2014 begins with the signature event — the Healthy Team competition.

This is a great way to re-focus your lifestyle beginning with a simple pre-test that will let you know where you stand. And over the next several months, there will be plenty of opportunities to improve.

You need to register quickly, complete your physician’s consent form and make an appointment before you can test next Monday (Feb. 24) or Wednesday (Feb. 26)!

Click here for complete registration information.

Youth Leadership Now Accepting Applications

Valley United Way’s Youth Leadership Program dates back to 1990 when the Board of Directors saw a need to get students involved in the community and to training them to be future leaders. United Way developed a yearlong program to accomplish that goal. The students learn about community needs in the Valley, the importance of nonprofit agencies, and the role volunteerism plays in addressing those needs.

Applications are accepted annually from students either attending high schools in the Valley or residing in the Valley and attending schools outside the Valley.

After the members have been recruited, they head off to a weekend team building retreat at Camp Jewell, a YMCA Outdoor Center in Colebrook, Connecticut. There, they are given a dynamic hands-on learning experience that emphasizes learning in several major areas: trust, leadership, and communication. The many activities during the retreat also help build self-confidence. The retreat is an experience designed to bring the group together as a team for the first time.

Throughout the year, members will also receive training by corporate community members. Training includes workshops in diversity, problem solving/decision making, interviewing and public speaking. Youth Leaders also participate in a wide variety of community service activities during the program year.

As a concluding activity, members conduct a needs assessment in order to determine community needs for programs and services aimed at high school students.

When the results have been compiled and needs identified, a Request for Proposal is sent to all nonprofit organizations in the area, asking for proposals to be submitted for funding of programs and services that focus on the identified needs. Youth Leadership members review and evaluate the proposals as part of their own formal allocation process. Since 1990, Youth Leadership members have allocated more than $55,000 in funding.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of our Youth Leadership Program! There are limited spots available.

To apply for the 2014 – 2015 class and view testimonials of the 2013 – 2014 class, visit our website.

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