Media Coverage

Daily Record
By Michael Daigle
April 12, 2008

United Way raises funds for 20 capital projects at lunch

Annual event, which has taken in $1M since 2000, backs shelters, counseling

PARSIPPANY -- More than 20 capital projects for area non-profit groups could be funded through donations raised by the United Way of Morris County's commercial real estate network legacy luncheon, which was held on Friday at the Parsippany Hilton Hotel.

The event, which attracted 350 real estate professionals, has raised more than $1 million since 2000 to support building projects at child care centers, shelters, YMCAs, counseling centers and homes for the mentally ill.

The total raised on Friday was not yet available.

The annual United Way commercial real estate impact award was presented to a project that was judged as having the most positive impact on the county. It was given to Wyndham Worldwide for the building it is leasing at 22 Sylvan Way in Parsippany for its world headquarters. The 250,000-square-foot building is being constructed to meet nationally recognized green building standards.

John Franklin, United Way's chief executive officer, said the funds raised on Friday "are not just for my kids, but your kids, and your parents. We are all in this community together, and together we can solve some problems."

Keynote speaker Mary R, Falvey, a vice president at Wyndham Worldwide, thanked the audience for its support of the many projects.

Andrea Conway, director of marketing and communications for the United Way, said the goal is to fund all the projects, which have been examined by a committee. If money from the luncheon falls short, she said, other funds are sought.

The projects are:

A new fence for the Collinsville Child Care Center; new kitchens in housing for low-income, mentally ill individuals with Community Hope; carpeting for the Dover Child Care Center; renovations for the shop at Dress for Success; complete entryway construction and classroom flooring replacement at El Primer Paso; and an electrical upgrade for a technology training center and anticipated food service program at Employment Horizons.

Also, a new roof at the Madison Time Out adult day care center for Family Service of Morris County; a new boiler at the Head Start Community Program; a new heating system for an affordable-housing unit at Homeless Solutions; new carpeting and new kitchen flooring at Hope House; computers for the Interfaith Council for Homeless Families; and new flooring at the emergency shelter of the Jersey Battered Women's Service.

Outdoor play

Also, a new outdoor play area at the Madison Area YMCA; construction of a nursery, kitchen and bathrooms and repairs to the Rose Wing at the Madison Community Center; office renovations at the Mental Health Association of Morris County; completion of two rooms of affordable housing for Morris Habitat for Humanity; creation of a "community fit trail" at the Morris Center YMCA; an expanded security and entrance system at the Mount Olive Child Care and Leaning Center; a new gym floor at Morristown Neighborhood House Association; a new site and repairs for affordable housing for NewBridge Services Inc; and testing of a new location for geothermal heating and cooling for the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey.

Michael Daigle can be reached at (973) 267-7947 or mdaigle@gannett,com.