Companies’ ‘Best’ Support of United Way Drives Change in Local Communities

With the red carpet rolled out and “Joan Rivers” greeting guests, United Way honored several local organizations and their employees Friday evening at its sold out Best Of Awards event. The Academy Awards themed gala at The Bond Ballroom in Hartford recognized organizations and individuals across central and northeastern Connecticut who demonstrated outstanding effort and creativity in leading the 2011 United Way Community Campaign at their workplaces.

Elly Dougherty, of Berlin, who coordinates the campaign at OKAY Industries in New Britain, was honored as Campaign Coordinator of the Year, which recognizes outstanding leadership and spirit during a successful workplace campaign.

“Those who coordinate United Way campaigns in their workplaces are heroes for children and families in our cities, towns and neighborhoods,” said Susan Dunn, president and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.  “Each year, hundreds of dedicated workers accept the challenge of raising millions of dollars to help children succeed and families make ends meet.”

The Best Of Awards were presented to:

• Best Campaign Kickoff: Vantis Life Insurance Company, Windsor;
• Best Campaign Photo: Our Piece of the Pie, Hartford; Travelers, Hartford;
• Best Fast and Furious Campaign: Timken Aerospace Transmissions LLC, Manchester;
• Best Rise to the Challenge: Jefferson Radiology, East Hartford
• Best CEO Involvement: Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford;
• Best Company Campaign Materials: United Technologies Research Center, East Hartford;
• Best Partner Agency Campaign: The Village for Families & Children, Hartford;
• Best Campaign Special Event: Otis Elevator, Farmington: Hartford Steam Boiler, Hartford;
• Best Year-Round Partnership: Hartford Hospital, Hartford;
• Spirit of the Campaign: Northeast Utilities, Hartford;
• UTC Challenge: United Technologies Research Center, East Hartford;
• Best Campaign Video: Hamilton Sundstrand, Windsor Locks; The Phoenix Companies, Hartford;
• Campaign Coordinator of the Year: Elly Dougherty, OKAY Industries Inc., New Britain
• Best In Show – Company with fewer than 250 employees: 3M Purification Inc., Enfield;
• Best In Show –Company with 250-500 employees: Carrier Corporation, Farmington
• Best In Show –Company with more than 500 employees: The Hartford, Hartford, Simsbury, Windsor, Southington, Farmington