Volunteers, donors are what make the Middlesex United Way a success

MIDDLETOWN — As the year comes to a close, I find myself taking a look back at what we have accomplished, all of which would be impossible without the help from our amazing volunteers.

This year marks another successful Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project completed. We are grateful for the various individuals, schools, organizations, businesses, churches, and nonprofits which all came together to prepare more than 950 baskets of food for the holiday. On behalf of the Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project, I’d like to dedicate this week’s column to thank all of you.

The days, weeks, even hours leading up to Thanksgiving are always the best. It is remarkable to see our community embrace this effort to ensure our neighbors can sit down with their families on Thanksgiving and enjoy the holiday. There was a job to be had for everyone — from ensuring all of the Thanksgiving baskets had the makings of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to volunteering at events such as fill-a-bus and numerous turkey drives.

For your time and talent on the planning committee, we thank the City of Middletown, Community Renewal Team, Fellowship Church, Knights of Valhalla, Liberty Bank, Liberty Bank Foundation, Middlesex Health, Middlesex United Way, Middletown Kiwanis Club, Middletown Police Department, Middletown Public Schools, Middletown Rotary Club, Russell Library and St. Vincent DePaul Middletown/Amazing Grace Food Pantry.

For your donations, volunteers and support, we appreciatively thank: ABC Women’s Center, ACT Group, Adams of Portland, Adelbrook Community Services, Agway of Middlefield, Arcadis, Board of Ed Central Office, Central Ct Pediatric Dentistry, Change Inc., CharlesIT, Church of the Holy Trinity, Episcopal, City of Middletown, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Community Health Center, Congregation Adath Israel, Connecticut Valley Hospital, Cross Street AME Zion, CT Food Bank, Dattco, David Derita Construction, Davita Dialysis, Debs Restaurant, EXP Realty, Faith Lutheran, Farm Hill School and Fellowship Church

We also appreciate First Church of Christ Congregational, Gotta’s Farm, Harding Development Group, Heritage Commons, Illiano’s, Inn at Middletown, Jukonski Truck, Key Chevrolet, Knights of Valhalla, Lawrence School, Liberty Bank Foundation, Luther Ridge, Lyman Orchards, Mahoney, Sabol & Company LLP, Main Street Market, Mercy High School, Middlesex Health, Middlesex United Way, Middlesex United Way Young Leaders Society, Middletown Area Transit, Middletown Police Department, Middletown Rotary, Moody Elementary School and MxCC Human Services.

Additionally, we would like to thank Nino’s, NPS, Orthopedic Associates of Middletown, Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney Canel Lodge, Radiological Associates of Middletown, Russell Library, Salvation Army, Savy Swap Consignment, South Congregational Church, St. Pius, Stew Leonards, Stop & Shop, Stor-U-Self Portland, Ursel’s Web Frame Shop Gallery Village at South Farms, Vox Church, Wadsworth Glen Health Care, Water’s Edge Rehab Center, WB Mason, Wesleyan University, Wright-Pierce, Xavier High School, Middlesex YMCA and Youngs Printing.

Beyond the companies and organizations that contributed, there are countless individuals who also helped. If I named everyone this column may never end, so I would like to simply and sincerely just say thank you.

We also would like to recognize all of the individuals and organizations involved with this year’s Middlesex United Way Young Leaders Stuff-a-Cruiser holiday social and toy drive. This year’s event brought in hundreds of gifts to brighten the holidays for local teens. Young Leaders collected gifts for an older demographic, kids 14 to 18, as they are often forgotten. Gift donations included sports equipment, Amazon gift cards, hand and body lotions, clothes and board games.

Over 60 individuals attended the event, enjoying complimentary drinks and delicious food from La Boca restaurant in Middletown. We appreciate La Boca’s support and generosity for hosting us, as they truly helped make this event a success.

We are so grateful to many organizations that generously sponsored this event: Liberty Bank, Caitlin Finnemore, CADimensions Inc., Edward Jones Financial Advisor Kevin Harris, Wright-Pierce and The Red Barn in Durham. Special thanks to the La Boca, Anthony Knapp and the Middletown Police Department, Middletown Youth Services Bureau and Iron Scissors Salon for their support.

Kevin Wilhelm is president and CEO of the Middlesex United Way in Middletown.