United Way to Host Annual Day of Action in Greater Danbury and New Milford on June 5

DANBURY, Conn. (May 29, 2019) — United Way of Western Connecticut will mobilize more than 180 corporate volunteers representing 17 companies on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. For the first time, this year’s event will include a Street Fair that offers Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) projects for students. As in past years, volunteers will also participate in projects benefiting area nonprofits and municipal parks.The press is invited to attend the kick-off and STEM Street Fair, which will provide excellent photo opportunities. Additional information about project sites throughout the region can be provided to interested media.

 

WHAT: Day of Action Greater Danbury and Greater New Milford will begin with a kick-off at The Danbury War Memorial Lawn. The kick-off will be followed by the STEM Street Fair, where volunteers from 10 local corporations and organizations will engage Danbury public school students in projects designed to ignite their interest in STEM. Students from South Street School and Rogers Park Middle School will participate in these activities, created by the corporations. Other organizations, including the Danbury Library and EverWonder Museum, are also creating STEM activities for the students.

 

Throughout the day, students will be able to choose free books donated by the corporations to promote summer reading—a project United Way calls Camp Wannaread. Students will select the Camp Wannaread books from a truck donated by UPS.

 

The STEM Street Fair and Camp Wannaread are benefitting students in schools that have a high percentage of children from low-income families.This is in alignment with United Way’s mission of helping children in hard-working, struggling households called ALICE^® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).

 

The day’s events also include corporate volunteers participating in projects throughout the region that benefit nonprofits and area parks. Those projects include cleaning and landscaping projects at Harrybrooke Park and the Senior Center in New Milford, replacing a bridge at Danbury’s Tarrywile Park, and painting and repairs at the Regional YMCA.

 

Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

Kickoff at 8:30 am

STEM Street Fair begins at 9:15 am; the day’s events conclude at 4 pm

 

WHERE: The Danbury War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Danbury, CT

ON-SITE CONTACT: Caroline LaFleur, United Way, mobile: 203-300-1486

 

BACKGROUND: United Way of Western Connecticut has been mobilizing volunteers in a Day of Action event since 2011; before that, an annual Day of Caring was conducted for many years. It carries on a long tradition of United Way organizing corporate volunteers in a day-long event that benefits area residents and nonprofits.

“Day of Action is all about community spirit and the power of volunteerism,” said Kimberly Morgan, CEO of United Way. “By committing an entire employee workday to this event, local companies demonstrate their willingness to give back to the community. Nonprofits benefit, the kids benefit, and everyone has some fun.