The United Way of Greater Fall River held a flag-raising ceremony on November 28, 2022, to commemorate its 75th anniversary. The event highlighted the organization's history, which began in 1947 as the Community Fund of Greater Fall River, formed to study community needs and unify local causes. The first annual campaign, led by attorney Lincoln D. Brighton from November 3rd to 17th, successfully raised $127,881, surpassing its goal by 11%. This initial effort supported eight agencies, including the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Family Service Association, District Nursing Association, 9th Street Day Nursery, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, and the Boys Club (now Boys and Girls Club of Greater Fall River). Over its 75-year history, the United Way of Greater Fall River has raised over $83 million through its annual campaigns. Beyond its founding partners, the organization currently funds between 75 to 100 additional programs and special initiatives each year. Mayor Coogan spoke at the ceremony, commending the United Way for its dedicated service, flexibility, and responsiveness to the community's evolving needs, citing its support during challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, coat drives, and providing crucial grant funding to social service agencies. The Mayor presented a citation to Kim, acknowledging the United Way's 75 years of service to the greater Fall River community. The ceremony concluded with the raising of the United Way flag, assisted by Bill Kiley from the Boys and Girls Club and Sue Rowe from the 9th Street Day Nursery, symbolizing the organization's enduring commitment to improving the Fall River area.
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Council
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good afternoon and welcome to the United Way flag raising event in celebration of our 75th anniversary since it's Inception United Way of Greater Fall River has led the fight for the health education Financial stability and basic needs of every person in our community we believe everyone deserves opportunities for a good life a quality education that leads to sustaining job opportunities enough income to support a
0:29family and a healthy lifestyle that increases life expectancy originally called the Community Fund of Greater Fall River the organization was formed in 1947 to study the needs of the community and unite local causes under one campaign the ask was simple one gift equal to four hours of pay once a year this would support the humanitarian efforts of eight agencies in our local community
1:00donations from this first campaign helped fund the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Family Service Association who is here with us today District Nursing Association the 9th Street day Nursery who was also here with us today the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts the YMCA and the boys club it later became the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Fall River and they are here with us today as well
1:29our first annual campaign was led by attorney Lincoln D Brighton from November 3rd through the 17th in just 14 days 127 881 was raised and that at that time was 11 percent over their goal some 75 years later United Way of Greater Fall River has raised over 83 million dollars through our annual campaigns the collective impact of one gift once a year Remains the most effective way to streamline initiatives
2:03and create greater impacts identify viable solutions to long-term issues and eliminate duplication of effort and it's still the easiest way to give along with programs at Family Service Association 9th Street day Nursery the Boys and Girls Club of Fall River and the YMCA United Way of Greater Fall River funds between 75 to 100 additional programs and special initiatives every year
2:30our fiscal oversight also ensures that every dollar entrusted to our care is being spent on programs that align with our key Focus areas those that are identified by our community and our stakeholders our funding provides access to resources so more members of our community can live a better life it's without saying that we would not be able to accomplish any of this without our dedicated leadership many of our
2:57board members are here with us today along with the collaborative spirit that we have with our community leaders mayor Coogan Tyra Lee who's representing representative Carol Fiola Maureen is representing state Senator Mike Rodriguez all of us have a hand in making our community better and we have done so for the last 75 years we will continue to do so together and so before we raise our flag I'd like to turn it
3:24over to Mayor Coogan for a few words obviously this is very very special to be out here this afternoon this wind tunnel uh and it's an honor to be with you to celebrate and recognize United Way for this 75 years of dedicated service to our community there are a few people who don't don't know about or have not been helped by the United Way in this city they've been flexible and responsible to the changing
3:47needs of our community since their start 75 years ago since becoming mayor I fought a number of unique challenges with the United Way Colvin distribution to coat drives the United Way has always helped to support organizing cleanups in our Industrial Park there have been a number of key conversations around housing education food anything that affects Fall River residents they have provided crucial grant funding
4:16to keep our social service agencies afloat they are in the community every day doing the work and it's been an honor to work alongside them I want to compliment Kim on her great efforts and I can't be more pleased to be out here to raise this flag with everyone today thank you but I also want to acknowledge also here from representative Schmidt's offices Tyler um you got left out in the shuffle we don't
4:39want to do that so we appreciate his help and I want to present Kim with this citation in honor and recognition of her 75 years of dedicated service to the greater Fall River Community thank United Way thank you all right and now without further ado I will ask members of our very first Community Partners Bill Kiley from the boys and girls club and Sue Rowe from Ninth Street day Nursery
5:14uh there's ready at the flag and we will raise the United Way flag together as a symbol of our commitment to making the greater Fall River area a better place to live work and play for all that was our promise to you and our community in 1947 and that is our promise to you today
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