Since our start on Danbury’s West Street as the Community Chest of Danbury in 1942, our organization has officially reached 80 years’ worth of change, challenges, and growth. Our humble beginnings as a volunteer-based group that allocated local funding to war efforts and a handful of charities set a solid foundation for what would eventually become United Way of Western Connecticut.

United Way of Western Connecticut is hosting its annual Pay it Forward campaign to provide fully cooked Thanksgiving meals, prepared by The Amber Room Colonnade, to more than 60 families living paycheck-to-paycheck in Greater Danbury. 

United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut is partnering with the Woman’s Club of Greater New Milford to collect food and monetary donations to make Thanksgiving a joyful holiday for 275 hardworking families in need this year to put food on their tables.

Operation Thanksgiving (formerly called Stuff the Gazebo) collects food and monetary donations so that families in need can have all the ingredients for a complete Thanksgiving meal, including a turkey.

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month we shared weekly reading lists and Staff Spotlights across our social media to celebrate the diverse cultures and interests within our organization. 

Staff Spotlights

The following Hispanic and Latino team members shared quotes and phrases that motivate their work at United Way of Western Connecticut.

In celebration of our 80th Anniversary, United Way of Western Connecticut is launching Small Business United. This network will work to unite small businesses looking to do good within the 15-town region of Stamford, Greater Danbury, and Greater New Milford.

Earlier this month, Stamford Cradle to Career and United Way of Western Connecticut hosted an information session promoting their new Stamford Food for Thought Campaign. This initiative is aimed at addressing the importance of free school meals in Stamford and expanding awareness of essential benefits available to the community – specifically, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and HUSKY Insurance.