Valley United Way will kick off the 2009 – 2010 Community Campaign fund raising effort with a public reception at Griffin Hospital on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Griffin’s Center for Cancer Care, located at 350 Seymour Ave. in Derby.
Griffin Hospital, which is celebrating 100 years of service and the grand opening of the Center for Cancer Care, is hosting the event.
“We are thrilled that Griffin Hospital is hosting this year’s event. As the center of health care in the Valley, they have an incredible record of giving back to the community and to have this event there during their 100th anniversary is especially fitting,” said Fred Ortoli, chairman of this year’s United Way campaign.
He pointed out the incredible job that Griffin did with a food drive earlier this year as a prime example of the caring of Griffin and its employees that extends well beyond their job responsibilities.
“The theme of Griffin Hospital’s 100th Anniversary Commemoration is ‘A Century of Caring for our Community.’ We are honored to host the Valley United Way’s annual campaign kickoff as part of our centennial celebration. Griffin and its employees proudly support the efforts of the Valley United Way and its twenty-four funded community agencies that touch and benefit the lives of countless community residents each year,” said Griffin Hospital President Patrick Charmel.
The kickoff will include tours of the Center for Cancer Care and the new laboratory in the main building.
A class entitled “Cooking & Nutrition for Cancer Patients” will be in session from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and attendees will have an opportunity to observe.
Brief speeches will be made by Ortolo, Derby Mayor Tony Staffieri and Mike Marcinek, chairman of the Valley United Way Board of Directors.
Community volunteers will also speak briefly about personal experiences. Blood pressure screenings, non-alcoholic beverages and refreshments will be provided.
About the Valley United Way
Valley United Way is the leading philanthropic resource for the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton matching the needs of the community and the interests of donors to improve the quality of life in the community. United Way supports and creates initiatives addressing youth, families and people in crisis. Each year Valley United Way funds programs and organizations that make a measurable difference in the lives of people living and working in the Valley.
