United Way elects new directors and officers at annual meeting

United Way of North Central Massachusetts elected new officers and directors at its annual meeting in November.

Steven L. Stone of Harvard, executive vice president of Sterilite Corporation in Townsend, was elected chair and Bruce J. Man, M.D., of Lunenburg, from Medical Associates Pediatrics in Leominster, was elected to vice chair.

In addition, Neftali C. Pena of Leominster, from Sovereign Bank's downtown Leominster branch, and Fitchburg State College's Sheila R. Sykes of West Boylston, were elected to the board.

In his report to the community, retiring Chair Scott Howard, vice president and general manager for Bemis Associates in Shirley, noted that United Way funded-programs delivered over 60,000 health and human services to 19 communities for its most recent year.

Howard said that United Way's Day of Caring was a success once again last year, with over 500 volunteers helping nonprofits spruce up their facilities. United Way also continues to provide assistance to nonprofit organizations through its Product Philanthropy program, which provides agencies access to office supplies and services at reduced cost.

In his report, Howard took pride in the fact the United Way's Youth Venture program, which is designed to encourage youth involvement, has launched 48 teams through the Leominster, Shirley, Fitchburg, North Middlesex, Gardner, and Winchendon public schools and Parker Charter Essential School.

It was also noted that United Way continues to sponsor Mass 211, an information and referral service that helps individuals find health and human services by dialing three numbers. It also hosted a successful heating assistance program in partnership with Unitil to make area agencies aware of fuel assistance programs.

The chair's report concluded with a recap of its extremely successful Community Builders program, which awarded eight Fellowships and recognized 15 individuals for their outstanding volunteerism. The initiative has resulted in 1,243 additional people donating 22,320 hours of volunteer service to our community.

The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Barre, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.