(Salvation Army's Jim Gordon presenting one of the awards!)

United Way Campaign Raises $24,328,262

For Local Communities!

HARTFORD – The United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut announced the results of their yearly campaign at fourth Best of Awards program on Friday evening, February 28, at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. This program showcases the community’s accomplishments and highlights the individual workplace campaigns from around the area. Awards are given to companies and organizations in many different categories in recognition for their outstanding participation in the campaign and support throughout the year.

(Joseph Savage announcing the grand total!)

Rachel Lutzker and Logan Byrnes, from the award winning Fox CT Morning News, served as the Masters of Ceremony. They kept the audience entertained by presenting Academy-Awards-themed "Oscars." They introduced the guest presenters and read through the criteria for each category. It was a fun evening! Joseph Savage, President of Webster Bank and Campaign Chairman for the 2013 United Way Drive, announced this year’s grand total - $24,328,262! Savage commented, “Thank you again for your generosity to help children and families. This will surely make a measurable, positive impact in our community.”

Many companies, nonprofits, guests, and more were in attendance. In fact, one table consisted of The Salvation Army’s Corps Officers from Greater Hartford, New Britain, and Willimantic, operations funded by this United Way, as well as the Director of Development, Communications Manager, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, and their guests from Divisional Headquarters. Our Director of Public Relations, Jim Gordon, was also the presenter for the Best Use of United Way Messaging and Branding award to Hartford Steam Boiler. It was clear that everyone who attended, The Salvation Army included, had a great time!

Lisa Cretella, Director of Development for The Salvation Army in Southern New England, said, "This event gets better each year. It’s a fun evening. You get to watch the recipients receive the recognition they deserve for some truly outstanding efforts. The Salvation Army appreciates the support the United Way provides us to help support our programs. I congratulate the award winners and I thank the United Way. We are blessed to have such wonderful partners."

The Best Of Awards were presented to:
- Best Campaign Kickoff: City of Hartford
- Best Campaign Special Event: Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford
- Best Use of United Way Messaging and Branding: The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, Hartford
- Best Use of Technology: UTC Aerospace Systems, Windsor Locks
- Best Campaign Photo: Our Piece of the Pie, Inc. , Hartford
- Best Rise to the Challenge: UTC Aerospace Systems, Windsor
Locks - Best New Campaign: Phoenix Manufacturing, Inc. , Hartford
- Best Year-Round Partnership: Comcast, Berlin
- Best Mobilization of Volunteers: Conning, Hartford
- Best Partner Agency Campaign: The Village for Families & Children, Inc. , Hartford
- Best Company Leadership/CEO Support: Comcast, Berlin
- Best Volunteer/Campaign Committee: Harc, Inc. , Hartford
- Coordinator of the Year: Kat Paradis, Enterprise Holdings, Windsor Locks
- Best In Show - Small Company: Fox Laminating Company, West Hartford
- Best In Show - Medium Company: HARC, Inc. , Hartford
- Best In Show - Large Company: Travelers, Hartford
- UTC Challenge: United Technologies Research Center, East Hartford
- Best Campaign Video: Value Options Connecticut, Rocky Hill
- Spirit of the Campaign Award: Comcast, Berlin