United Way to honor local corporate, community partnerships

BOSTON – The power to solve critical issues such as youth violence, family homelessness, financial instability and school readiness will take center stage this evening, as United Way is set to honor leading corporate and community partners whose collective efforts are raising the quality of life for the region’s children and families. State Street Corporation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, UPS, Deloitte, Ann Reale, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and Harold Sparrow, Executive Director of the Black Ministerial Alliance are among the corporations, state officials and individuals that will be honored at tonight’s reception. The reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

“Tonight we salute the power of people to come together and be willing to roll up their sleeves and answer the challenges that hold us all back,” said Milton J. Little, Jr. president and chief executive officer at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. “With the right mix of effective partners, smart investments and committed volunteers, we can make progress on some of the long-standing issues facing our region. Left unchecked, these problems erode communities, cost taxpayers millions and eat away at the collective hope of those who need it most.”

The celebration will be emceed by four youth from the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club in Dorchester and Boston Asian YES in Chinatown. The young people, who are from Dorchester, South Boston and Charlestown, are active teen leaders in civic and cultural activities including the Harvard School of Public Health Youth Task Force, Asian Voices at the Strand Theater and the Dorchester Education Enrichment Program.

The awards that will be given at tonight’s celebration include:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will receive the 2006 United Ways of New England ( UWONE) Community Impact Award forseeking out partnerships with United Way and other civic-minded organizations to address health-related and social issues throughout Massachusetts;

State Street Corporation, the single largest local supporter, will be honored with the 2006 Campaign of the Year Award;

Commissioner Ann Reale of Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care will receive the 2006 "Making it Better for Children" Award for enabling a public-private partnership between the Department of Early Education and Care, United Way, and the Schott (SHOT) Fellowship in Early Care and Education;

UPS, the #1 United Way supporter nationally, will be honored with the 2006 UWONE Campaign Innovation Award for supporting United Way year-round by sponsoring a variety of fun events that continuously engage colleagues in experiencing the value of United Way;

Harold Sparrow, Executive Director of Black Ministerial Alliance will receive the2006 Community Collaboration Award for leveraging his unifying power to help those in need;

Deloitte will receive the 2006 Leadership Campaign of the Year award for their outstanding personal leadership;

The Honorable Byron Rushing, Massachusetts State Representative will receive the 2006 Legislative Leadership Award for his successful efforts in establishing the special commission to end homelessness;

The 2006 UWONE Employee Campaign Manager of the Year Award will go to Diane Iarrobino and Marlene Jones of OSRAM SYLVANIA for their outstanding leadership skills;

Sensata Technologies will receive UWONE’s top honor – the 2006 Chairman's Cup Award – for their exceptional commitment to United Way;

Mellon Financial Corporation will receive the Million Dollar Club Award for their achievement of crossing the million dollar mark;

Jane Dickson of Investors Bank and Trust will be honored with the second Employee Campaign Manager of the year award for effective efforts in increasing campaign contributions;

Julie Galeota of Comcast will receive United Way's Community Leadership Award for her enduring partnership with United Way and her commitment to improving the quality of life for individuals and families in this region;

Brown Brothers Harriman will receive the 2006 Honorable Mention Campaign of the Year Award for their outstanding participation and for doubling their contributions during the past five years.