MIDDLETOWN — The Middlesex United Way is pleased to invite you to join us virtually on Jan 28 to honor volunteers and community leaders, in addition to celebrating a year of many accomplishments, at our annual meeting. This year’s celebration will look different than those in years past.
The pandemic has certainly reminded us of the importance of gratitude. This year, we want to share that with our partners, volunteers, and donors who made outstanding accomplishments in 2020 despite all the challenges. This year’s meeting will feature a 7:47 Virtual Gratitude Experience, facilitated by Chris Schembra, to celebrate and thank everyone for their continued work. We will reflect on the accomplishments this past year during the annual meeting, honor a longstanding Middlesex United Way volunteer, and nominate and elect new officers and directors.
The Middlesex United Way is pleased to present the Community Service Award to Jean D’Aquila. This honors volunteer service to the agency, considering length and continuity of service. It is the highest and most prestigious honor for a United Way volunteer.
D’Aquila’s’ involvement with Middlesex United Way began in 2007 when she joined our board of directors, where she served on our nominating committee, as well as the major gifts committee. Since then, she has served in many capacities for Middlesex United Way, including the Women’s Initiative’s chairwoman. Her service does not stop there, as she is active outside the Middlesex United Way as well.
She has held several leadership positions for professional and community organizations, including now, as a director and secretary for the Hebron Interfaith Human Services, chairwoman and director for Middlesex Health Services, and lector for the Church of the Holy Family. She is a founding member who serves on the steering committee for the Women’s Wellness Fund Committee of Middlesex Health. Her service for Middlesex Health expands from director, governance committee member, Executive Compensation Committee, Audit Committee and Joint Conference Committee.
Her past community service includes involvement with MARC Community Resources, Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti, American Red Cross, Middlesex Central Connecticut, Northern Middlesex Habitat for Humanity, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Middletown, Greater Middletown Community Corporation, Southern New England Chapter of the American Bankers, Guild of Catholic Lawyers of the Diocese of Norwich, and St. Francis of Assisi Church, Middletown.
Professionally, D’Aquila works as an attorney out of Middletown, concentrating in residential real estate, estate planning and probate, and municipal law. She holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut in Experimental Psychology and Inferential Statistics.
When asked about her time with Middlesex United Way, D’Aquila explained, “I am very honored to receive this recognition from an agency I so admire and trust to do the right things within our community. United Way staff and volunteers help form the fabric of a caring, supportive community and I am so grateful to be a small part of it.”
During the interactive gratitude experience facilitated by Chris Schembra, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with others and share their experiences remotely. Schembra is the founder and “Chief Question Asker” of 7:47, which helps organizations build lasting relationships through intimate experiences. In the past four years, 7:47, and its signature pasta sauce, have sparked more than 400,000 relationships worldwide. We are excited to bring Chris’s enthusiasm and unique perspective and talents to Middlesex County.
We cannot wait to kick off the year together with a day of connection, stories and gratitude! The annual meeting will be held Jan 28 from noon to 1:30 p.m. virtually. To attend, visit bit.ly/3qm1gxT or email Amanda Furlong at amanda.furlong@middlesexunitedway.org.
Kevin Wilhelm is president and CEO of the Middlesex United Way in Middletown.
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