Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele

A LONG STRANGE TRIP . . . BUT STILL, COMMUNITY IS CONSTANT

Like the Grateful Dead sang: “What a long strange trip it’s been…” and from where we are right now, that strange trip shows no sign of ending.

Connecticut, the country and the entire world finds itself in a place it’s never been before—and on such a wholesale scale. Economies are struggling, businesses are working hard to survive, people are rethinking priorities and making difficult financial decisions—the world seems to have gone topsy-turvy in a matter of months.

What has not been affected in all this upheaval is the importance of community. No matter what that never changes. Neighbors need neighbors—whether we volunteer at soup kitchens, food pantries, community centers, our church—that sense of support and neighborhood is what will pull us through a little bit at a time.

 

As a member of the community and an elected official I see things from both sides of the spectrum. As a business owner and employer I understand the value of my employees and how much they and their families rely on me; as a husband, father, neighbor and member of a local church parish I understand my responsibilities to be part of the support system; and as an elected official I meet people every day who are affected by the loss of their jobs, their homes and their families. Entire networks of support systems that rely on taxpayer money are being reviewed and evaluated: every budget decision is an important one.

 

Take Five to Give 5 is a reminder that there is still value in volunteering. Small donations can make the biggest difference in people’s lives. Thanks to United Way of Western Connecticut’s efforts, Take Five to Give 5 will give 100% of the money collected back into their programs to help people with basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter.

Neighbors helping neighbors.

 

A long strange trip is not so long and not so strange with the care and support of friends and neighbors.

 

Michael Fedele

Lieutenant Governor

State of Connecticut

Learn more about the Take Five to Give 5 campaign at:
http://www.TakeFivetoGive5.org

Comments

[Brooke Feder, Director, Cushman & Wakefield]

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
- Anne Frank (1929 - 1945), Diary of a Young Girl

What better voice than that of Anne Frank to testify to how much the actions and generosity of a few individuals can impact a single life? Please join me in helping those in need today.

[Carl Bailey]

As a life long resident of the Danbury comunity, and an active United Way supporter, I am very grateful for opportunity to participate in the Take Five program. The pain being experienced by the local non-profits and their client base is accute and real. Without help from their neighbors, many families simply cannot make it through this difficult economic cycle. I believe it is critical for those of us who are blessed to help those who currently cannot help themselves. Government cannot be the answer to all the needs of our communities, and Take Five puts the solution right where it belongs.....with neighbors helping neighbors.

[Michael Johnston]

Lt. Gov. Fedele sings just the right tune (be it Grateful Dead or not!). We get through difficult times by pulling together as a community and his comments remind me that we can solve almost anything if we all band together. Small actions by a large number of people are a powerful way for us to overcome our community challenges. Yet to achieve that goal, we have to both recognize the need and respond to it. So far, too few of us that can afford to give are actually giving. To continue the music analogy, Bob Dylan once wrote "how many times can a man turn his head and pretend he just doesn't see?" It's impossible these days not to see the need. To help, all we have to do is follow Mike Fedele's lead and "Take Five to Give 5".

[Rey Giallongo, Executive Vice President, First County Bank]

Lt Gov. Fedele has never struck me as a "Dead Head" but the lyrics are most appropriate for our times. The pain being experienced in our communities at all levels of society has not been seen before by our generation. The fact that United Way can mobilze our community to not only give but to volunteer is a testiment to our strength. I underscore the need for all to contribute and follow Mike Fedele lead.

[Elizabeth Goehring]

I have the pleasure of being a speaker for a social work class at our local university, and one of the things I share with the students is the theory of social change...and how incredibly important those networks of support are to helping individuals find their way. This is the same concept: people working together to improve their lives, or support networks working together to influence decisions. We all know how those networks can work together to lead an individual to make poor decisions, but they are equally important to helping individuals make positive decisions in their lives. This campaign is a great example of how we can influence each others decisions...only this time for the better.