United Way honors Valley volunteers

Volunteers were recognized at 20th annual ceremony.

By Jack Walsh

Valley United Way

 
ANSONIA - Valley United Way’s Volunteer Center celebrated its 20th Annual Volunteer of the Year Award Ceremony last week at John J. Sullivan’s restaurant.
Michael Marcinek was awarded the Sharon Bryce Holly “Community Hero” Award.  Mike’s dedication to so many Valley nonprofits is commendable. Mike volunteered for months designing and building the new office location at the old Lafayette School for the Valley United Way.
He currently serves on the Boards of Valley United Way, Junior Achievement, Shelton Economic Development Corporation, the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, Parent Child Resource Center and the Dan Orlovsky Foundation.

Thomas “Tom” Steeves of Shelton was honored as an outstanding Volunteer of the Year.  Tom is President of the Young Emerging Professional group, a committee of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. He volunteers in many capacities: Bowl-to Benefit the Umbrella and TEAM, Inc.'s Men Who Cook fundraiser, and is also an active Chamber Ambassador as well as an active member of the Corporate Volunteer Council.

Joyce Stobierski was honored as an outstanding Volunteer of the Year for her strong volunteer commitment to the residents of Wesley Heights. She volunteers weekly and brings an enormous amount of dedication and to the many residents she volunteers with. It was said that she brings sunshine, joy and laughter when she enters a room.

The Character Club from John G. Prendergast Elementary School in Ansonia was honored as the outstanding Volunteer Youth Group.
Melissa “Missy” Cook built this club at the start of last year with hopes that these selected students would contribute to a positive school climate while serving as role models to their school community. During the year the Club conducted food drives, helped build Harvest House IV and sold “Ansonia Cares” tee shirts to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.
The Club received a grant from the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation and to create a mural depicting the Six Pillars of Character. The Club also filled over 50 Christmas stockings and donated them to Valley children in need.

Fletcher Thompson’s Employee Volunteer Group was honored as the outstanding Adult Volunteer Employee Group. These special Fletcher Thompson Volunteers donated an enormous amount of time in the renovation and design of the new location for the Valley United Way office at the old Lafayette School in Shelton. The Fletcher Thompson staff also volunteers in many other capacities for several Valley nonprofits.

Elizabeth Hoffman was honored with the Living Treasure award. “Betsy” has been volunteering at Wesley Village in Shelton for the many years. She volunteers three days a week for 4-6 hours each time. She is enormously dedicated to so many residents. She is involved with the prayer Shaw ministry. Betsy has volunteered over 1,400 hours and has developed very caring relationships with the residents. Each time she volunteers she makes an enormous difference in their lives.

Pitney Bowes was the very first company to be inducted in the newly created Volunteer Hall of Fame. The event was sponsored (in part) by a grant from the Valley Community Foundation. Pitney Bowes has long been committed to addressing the needs of people in need and their corporate culture has never been just a slogan to Pitney Bowes… “making more possible in the community”. Pitney Bowes employees have had the highest standard of being involved in the Valley through their volunteer actions. So many nonprofits and families have first-hand been helped by Pitney Bowes staff.

William C Bassett was inducted into Valley United Way’s Volunteer Center “HALL OF FAME” Bill’s volunteer service in community organizations is extensive, having served as an active board member on Shelton’s Hewitt Memorial Hospital, the Valley Community Foundation, the Valley Advisory Committee of the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, Shelton Economic Development Commission, the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, CT Trails Girl Scout Council, the Valley Community Council on Drugs and Alcohol, and the Oak Cliff Cemetery Association of Derby.

He has been a member of the Valley Substance Abuse Action Council Community Coalition and was an advisor to United Methodist Homes. Bill’s participation in support of Valley nonprofit organizations is extensive.
Bill has been an architect in securing the Valley’s sense of community and commitment through Volunteering and philanthropy. Bill is a respected leader. He teaches by example and serves as a guiding force as many valley organizations look to him for his expertise and ability to direct the course of their projects.
Bill has been the recipient of the most prestigious awards presented here in the Valley, including the Gold Seal and Platinum Awards from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian award from the Valley United Way, the Dr. John J. Howe award from the Derby Historical Society and the BGHS Corp Good Neighbor Award.

Walsh is President and C.O.O. of the Valley United Way. He authored this article.