United Way of Central Massachusetts'
Annual Celebration

:Visit our Flickr page to see photos from the Annual Celebration!

The United Way of Central Massachusetts hosted their annual business meeting and annual celebration April 29, 2008 at Mechanics Hall. Of significance, four new members joined the board of directors and new officers were
elected, including new chairperson, Mark Bilotta, CEO, Colleges of Worcester Consortium.

New board members included:
· Maria Addison, Quinsigamond Community College
· Todd Bailey, Fallon Community Health Plan;
· Mark Crandall, TD BankNorth;
· Joseph Freitas, The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

These new members were elected to the board in the fall 2007:
· Glenn Knowlton, Saint-Gobain;
· Jack Calareso, Ph.D., Anna Maria College

In addition to Mr. Bilotta being named Chairperson, Mike Mulrain, CFO, Polar
Beverages, was elected as Treasurer and Brian Chandley, VP Commercial Lending,
Southbridge Savings Bank, was re-elected as clerk to round out the officer’s slate.

The Annual Celebration conveyed the theme of Ensuring Children’s Readiness for
School, one of three focus area’s guiding the work of United Way of Central
Massachusetts. A children’s chorus, under the direction of Patsy Mollica performed to a
delighted audience of 280. Members of the chorus included pre-school students from the
Rainbow Child Development Center, a partner agency of United Way.

The program included remarks by newly elected Chairperson Mark Bilotta; 2008
Campaign Chair, Bruce Gautlney, Publisher of Telegram & Gazette; and Christopher
Collins, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at UNUM, the event
sponsor. During his remarks, Mr. Collins shared with the audience one of his favorite
childhood books, Mike Mulligan and the Steamshovel, adding that the story of Mike
Mulligan is one from which we can all learn important life lessons of community,
helping, aging, and determination.

Mr. Collins also spoke about the importance of corporate involvement when it comes to ensuring our children are ready for school. To demonstrate their active commitment, he announced the Unum Challenge Match, an unprecedented partnership with Unum and United Way that will strive to raise more money in the 2008 campaign for the focus area of Ensuring Children’s Readiness for School. The Unum Challenge Match will match up to a total of $225,000 in new or increased designations to Ensuring Children’s Readiness for School, given during the 2008 campaign. United Way is deeply grateful for Unum’s commitment to this area.

The evening culminated in a engaging keynote address from Dr. Valora Washington.
Bringing her experience as a policy maker, community activist, and leader in the field of
early child care and education, Dr. Washington reminded the audience of the work that
needs to be done locally, at the state level, and nationally to ensure our children are ready
to enter school having met the appropriate social, emotional, cognitive, and physical
developmental milestones.

2007 Annual Celebration: Amidst the chatter of local officials, corporate CEOs, agency partners, youth and familiar faces from throughout Central Massachusetts, a few very special people have been awarded for their continuous hard work and dedication that each and every day makes our community a healthier and safer place.

The following are recipients of United Way Awards, select one to read about their achievement: