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12-2 United Way
Photo #1 left – Members of the educational community show their support for The United Way of Warren County. Attending the recent Leadership Celebration are, left to right, Dorian Alu, Assistant to Director of Foundation at Warren County Community College, Melanie Thiel, Station Manager at Centenary College’s radio station, WNTI, and Annamaria Lalevee, Public Relations Director for Centenary College.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton once said, “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said, “We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” The United Way of Warren County is proving the truth in those words every day. The United Way is a system of over 1300 community-based organizations throughout the nation, each independently run by local volunteers. Warren County’s five-year-old United Way has been growing steadily, with hundreds of volunteers of varying backgrounds and interests. The organization provides training for its volunteers, and offers opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others. On November 17th, a Leadership Celebration was held at the Architects Golf Club in Phillipsburg to honor the organization’s major supporters. Sarah Brelvi, president and CEO of the United Way of Warren County, said, “Tonight we’re here to celebrate our leadership donors and to thank them. We want to thank everyone, volunteers and community partners.” When Brelvi mentions community partners, she is referring to groups like Abilities of Northwest New Jersey, Inc., a nonprofit community rehabilitation program that provides vocational training and employment services to the disabled and disadvantaged in Warren, Hunterdon, and Morris counties. The group has supported the United Way in many ways. Last year, Brelvi pointed out, they embroidered beach towels for an event with a beach theme. “For us it was the partnership of printing,” said Sue Zukoski of Abilities. “We’re a partnership agency so it was a very natural thing to be involved. “Everyone here tonight has a philanthropic relationship with the United Way,” said Brelvi. “This past year we started our women’s leadership council in March.” Dr. Janet Bloodgood is a member of the women’s council. She is also the Executive Director of Community Prevention for Resources of Warren County, Inc., a nonprofit partner agency promoting mental and physical health and safety for families and individuals. They address family issues and the prevention of substance abuse through education and treatment services. “We are funded by the United Way,” she said. “Sarah invited me to be a founding member of the Women’s Leadership and I graciously accepted.” United Way Women’s Leadership Councils offer a chance for women to collaborate and combine resources to improve lives. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “A sufficient measure of civilization is the influence of good women.” Since its inception, Brelvi said, “We have 35 women who are members. It’s our fastest growing sector of leadership donors.” Pam Farago, Executive Director for the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County, was involved with women’s leadership in Morris County. “I was looking for another women’s leadership group when I came to Warren County. It was so powerful. I was looking to be involved with it again here. Sarah told me about it and I signed on.” Dorian Alu is Assistant to Director of Foundation at Warren County Community College, which participates in the United Way contribution program. “On December 15, I’m hosting the next event,” she said. “It’s for the women’s leadership group. We’re going to be discussing mentoring. All these women are professionals and they have areas of expertise.” Ron Harding, president of Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. and Leadership Giving Campaign Chair, said, “Women’s Leadership Council wears a ‘W’ pin to signify membership. They’re already having a major impact and encourage philanthropy in our community. We’re making a bigger difference than any other group out there because we’re focused.” The number of supporters is impressive, but what really stands out is the caring and passion that drives them. Marion Bredin, owner of Good Impressions (a printing company), said, “I’ve known Sarah for about 20 years. She invited me to get involved. We’re mutual customers. We do the printing and the mailing. Right now we’re doing a fundraising letter. Our company also contributes to them. We’ve run campaigns.” Zukoski said, “Marion’s wonderful. She sits on a lot of boards, including Abilities.” The keynote speaker for the evening was Wallace P. Parker Jr., former President of Energy Delivery and Customer Relationship Group at KeySpan Energy Delivery. His credentials are extensive and include service on several boards. A few years ago, Parker was inducted into the AGA “Hall of Fame” and has served on the New York State’s Governor’s Energy Task Force. Last year he was the Gates-Ferry Lecturer at Centenary College. “I’ve been involved with the United Way for years,” said Parker. “We had an internal officer to chair the campaign for the United Way at Keyspan. I chaired it for 2 or 3 years and we topped one million dollars in employee donations for the first time. I have a special place in my heart for the United Way. It’s a great.” Supporters for the United Way of Warren County were eager to talk about the good things they see the organization doing for the community and the chance it gave them to help. Melanie Thiel, Station Manager at Centenary College’s radio station, WNTI said, “We do a lot of free media coverage. We try to give them as much airtime promotion as possible. Centenary participates in the employee payroll deduction campaign. You can’t say no to Sarah Brelvi. She has that magnetic personality where she asks you to do something and you just jump on board to do it.” Nancy Ann Post, Warren County Campaign Chairperson, said, addressing the group, “It’s truly an opportunity give back. It’s what United Way is all about.” Like so many others, both Harding and Post recalled initially a lunch with Sarah Brelvi. Like Thiel, they were captivated by her passion for the cause. “No one says no to Sarah,” was the expression most repeated throughout the evening. “Thank you, Sarah, for getting me involved,” Harding said. Brelvi told the crowd, “Live united. It’s on the 1900 t-shirts Abilities of NWNJ produced across New Jersey.” To follow that advice, or for more information, visit www.unitedwayofwc.org or call (908) 835-3550. To learn more about Abilities, go to www.abilitiesnw.com and for more about Community Prevention, visit www.
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Photo #2 right – Wallace P. Parker, Jr., (Left) was the keynote speaker at The United Way of Warren County’s 2008 Leadership Celebration. Pictured with Parker are Nancy Ann Post, Warren County Campaign Chairperson, Sarah Brelvi, president and CEO, and Ron Harding, president of Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. and Leadership Giving Campaign Chair.
Photo #3 left– Community partners attending The United Way of Warren County’s Leadership Celebration included, from left to right, Marion Bredin of Good Impressions, Sue Zukoski of Abilities of Northwest Jersey, Inc., Dr. Janet Bloodgood, Executive Director of Community Prevention for Resources of Warren County, Inc., and Pam Farago, Executive Director for the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County. 