During the event on May 3, Casey commended UWBucks on its work in early childhood education and helping low- and moderate-income families manage the costs
The Times
United Way of Bucks County hosted its annual breakfast on Friday, May 3 at the Sheraton in Langhorne. Attending the sold-out “Game Changers” themed event were government, community, business and nonprofit leaders.
The high-energy breakfast was a rallying cry to “change the game” and build a better Bucks County. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick opened with an invocation, reminding the crowd of the many opportunities to serve others and to “stay focused on what unites us, not what divides us.”
Special guest Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania commended the local United Way on its work in early childhood education and helping low- and moderate-income families manage the costs. He stressed that communities have a responsibility to ensure that all children can achieve their full potential.
“Each child is born with a light inside of them. We must do all that we can to make sure that the light inside every child continues to burn,” Casey said.
Community Impact Award winners recognized at the event included: BB&T Bank, United for Education; Jannsen Pharmaceuticals, United for Financial Stability; Eileen Swank, Community Advocate, United for Health; and Suez Water Technologies & Solutions, United for Impact.
Campaign Award winners included: Suez Water Technologies & Solutions, Campaign of the Year; Penn Community Bank and Wegmans (tie), Live United Award; Giant Food Stores, Nationwide Insurance Enterprise, QNB Bank and Penn Community Bank, Outstanding Multi-Location Campaign; and Johnson & Johnson, Best Regional Campaign.
Also acknowledged for their commitment to the organization and the broader Bucks County community were several individuals. Francis J. Sullivan, a partner at the law firm Hill Wallack, won the Sauerbry Award. Brian Papsun, a senior tax accountant at Grant Thornton, won the Kelton Award. Retired Central Bucks School District physics teacher David Gondak won the Founder’s Award. Chris Stanley from Neshaminy School District was named the Campaign Volunteer of the Year.
In addition to the awards, there were two announcements of note. United Way of Bucks County’s president/CEO Marissa Christie announced that the organization will continue to increase its investments in early education in the coming year.
“In just two years, we have increased our support for families with young children by $1 million, and I believe we will do even more by the end of 2019,” Christie said.
Danielle Bush, an impact director at United Way, explained that the organization is funding the launch of a local health and human service information and referral system called 2–1–1.
“Beginning this June, you will see lots of promotion of 2–1–1. This free service will be available to Bucks County residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year,” Bush said. “Bucks County residents will be able to access free, confidential information and referrals to local services, organizations, and programs so they know where to go for help.”
For more information on United Way of Bucks County, visit uwbucks.org or call 215–949–1660.
