In Memoriam
Dolores A. Raudelunas
October 12, 2004


United Way of Greater Union County mourns the loss of Dell Raudelunas, who lost her battle with cancer on October 12, at her home surrounded by family and loved ones. A memorial mass will be held at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Rd., Madison, N.J., on Saturday, October 23, 2004, at 10 am. At the family's request - no flowers please.

Dell, whose name is synonymous with the United Way, was recognized throughout the state for her pioneering leadership in social services.

It has been said that true leaders act with courage, stand tall in the face of adversity and go where few have gone before, because they know that example is the greatest school of humanity. Dell was a true leader who began her career at a time when there were few women in the workplace. She quickly became a respected leader and role model for many promising women and United Way professionals. Those who knew Dell describe her as dynamic, professional, insightful and determined.

While her professional accomplishments were many, at the core, Dell's heart was in her commitment to family. Despite her professional obligations, her family responsibilities always came first, and, as a result, they are the foundation from which she received strength and support.

Dell was a vision of strength - strength at work and strength at home. Dell was a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a friend to many. She had a loving husband, Frank, who graciously supported her. Lifelong residents of Plainfield, Dell and Frank recently moved to Madison to be closer to their children, Lisa and Peter Hiscano and Gregory and Victoria Raudelunas, and their grandchildren, Peers, Matthew, Jane and Austin.

For over 30 years, Dell led the United Way of Union County as its chief executive officer. She helped launch United Way organizations in Hunterdon and Sussex Counties. She served on United Way's National Task Force for Development of Women and the National Professional Advisory Council. For being an exemplary role model, she was honored by the Boy Scouts in their first annual Tribute to Women.

Dell was also a strong supporter of education. As a member of the Union County College Board of Governors, Dell chaired the nominating and audit committees.

Dell spent her life helping others. She genuinely cared about people and made an immeasurable impact on the social fabric of our community. One of her most significant contributions was her leadership in the creation of a strategic long-term vision for the economic and social development of Union County by being a founding member and chairperson of the Union County Alliance. Dell also served as the first chairperson of the State Human Services Advisory Council, and was an active member of the Union County Human Services Advisory Council and the Union County Workforce Investment Board.

Her tireless efforts did not end when she retired in 2000. For the last four years, Dell remained active on the boards of Trinitas Hospital, Union County College, the Union County Alliance and United Way of America's Retiree Association. She worked on special projects for United Way, most notably, with United Way of New York City's September 11th Fund.

Dell is survived by her husband Frank of 44 years, her children, Lisa and Gregory, her grandchildren, Peers, Matthew, Jane and Austin, her sister, Joan, and her brothers, Raymond, Andrew and Richard.

You can continue Dell's commitment to education, family and community by contributing to The Raudelunas Family Scholarship, Union County College, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016.
 

Kearny Federal Savings Bank, located in Springfield, recently held a food drive with their employees and customers. The food was collected by United Way of Greater Union County and will be donated to shelters and food pantries in Union County. Kearny Federal Savings Bank would like to thank all their costumers for their help and support. Pictured here is Lynn Pittman, United Way of Greater Union County representative along with Kearny Federal Savings Bank employees: Julianna Solowinski; Donna Queiroz, Branch Manager; Anna Lazirko; Liz Arndt; Kalen Kaveberg; Lilla Moralewski; and Aliea Rayappen.

UnumProvident, an insurance solutions company located in Clark, recently put their creative minds and hearts at work for United Way of Greater Union County.  The employees of UnumProvident hand-made 19 shirts for children which were then donated to the Roselle Day Care Center. Pictured here are employees of UnumProvident: Matt Minutaglio; Gina Gawle; Lori Hague; Megan Menone; Victoria Hidalgo, Executive Director of the Roselle Day Care Center; Tula Mekeel; Josephine Mingione; and Laura Mahan.

Women's Leadership Breakfast
Jill Patton, a financial consultant with AXA Advisors, was a dynamic speaker for our Women's Leadership breakfast. She provided many helpful ideas on developing your own strategy to achieve financial goals.
(Pictured) Elisse Glennon, UWGUC CEO, Jill Patton, Financial Consultant with AXA Advisors, Ann Baran, UWGUC Board Member and Eloise Bryant Tinley, UWGUC Board Member pose to take a picture at  our Women's Leadership  Breakfast.

Ellen DeSarmo and Jill Patton, both from AXA Advisors provided many helpful tips on financial strategies for women.

Thanks to the 82 attendees who made our Women's Leadership Breakfast a huge success in raising $1,530 for the United Way Community Fund!

CELEBRATION 2004
Nearly 200 Local People Gathered in Kenilworth at Schering-Plough to Support United Way's 2004 Annual Celebration and Helped Recognize United Way's Hispanic Leadership Advisory Council

(Photo) Board President Larry Lockhart, surrounded by United Way's Hispanic Leadership Advisory Council, honors their 1-year anniversary. During their first year of existence, this team of volunteers has shown a tireless dedication and caring commitment to making an impact in our community.

Freeholder Angel Estrada, Larry Lockhart, and CEO of United Way of Greater Union County, Elisse Glennon pause from the Celebration to take a quick picture.

Larry Lockhart and Freeholder Estrada joined many other locals for a  night of supporting United Way and the HLAC.

CLICK HERE for more photos from Celebration 2004!

United Way's Women's Leadership Initiative held an orientation for their Mentoring Program at Union County College in Cranford. The Mentoring Program is a partnership with Union County College's Women's Studies Program and joins together volunteer mentors to better prepare them for professional work environments.

GOLF CLASSIC
WAS A SWINGING SUCCESS!
More than 100 golfers hit the links at Shackamaxon Golf & Country Club in Scotch Plains to help generate more than $35,000 for United Way. The event was sponsored by dozens of local organizations, including L'OREAL USA, Schering-Plough Corporation and Commerce Bank.

(Photo - Left to right) L'OREAL USA's Jon Needham, Paul DeStefano, Pat Cafaro and Dave Wagner prepare to tee off.

CLICK HERE for more photos from United Way's Golf Classic!

BOC volunteers stand in front of the Second Street Youth Center in Plainfield during a United Way "Day of Caring." (Back row from left) BOC's Tom Flaherty, Pat Ingulli, and Monica Velasco (Front row from left) BOC's Margie Shannon Dave Sielken, Rebecca Walz and Gloria Cunningham.

Representatives from United Ways throughout the county, including UWA President Brian Gallagher and UWGUC CEO Elisse Glennon, recently helped open daily trading on the NASDAQ.

Learning MI Way
(Behind the children) Ed Cruz, Board Member of the Richmond County Savings Foundation, presents a generous $20,000 donation to Victoria Hidalgo, Executive Director of the Roselle Day Care Center, and Dr. Dennis Poller, Board Member of United Way of Greater Union County Board. The foundation's caring contribution will support United Way's Learning MI Way program that teaches local children visual and performing arts skills.

More than 40 local women recently came together for a special roundtable forum to discuss Governor James McGreevey's Mammogram Initiative. This new initiative would require insurance companies to cover mammograms for women under the age of 40 with a family history of breast cancer. Pictured left-to-right at the special forum are Ileana Montez, Esq., (State of NJ Dept. of Community Affairs), Milagros Collazo (United Way), and Angie Armand-Leon (State of NJ Dept. of Community Affairs).

United Way's Community Carey expresses gratitude to C.R. Bard, Inc. for reaching its 2003-2004 workplace campaign goal of $55,000.

General Motors and the United Auto Workers - Local 595 recently filled dozens of Cartons of Caring with food donations for local families in need.

Larry Naldi, plant manager at Merck & Company, Inc.'s Rahway/Linden site, presents an $18,500 donation to Jennifer Clemens, Executive Director of the Rahway Day Care Center, and Elisse Glennon, Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Greater Union County. Merck's generous donation will enable Project IMPROVE to be implemented at the Rahway Day Care Center.

BOC Gases kicked off its United Way campaign with an exciting lunchtime celebration that featured a tricycle race, a baby picture matching game, and a golf-putting contest.

Winners of the 1st Annual Sponge Bob Miniature Golf Tournament stand proudly with United Way of Greater Union County¹s Gary Mignone and Crescent Golf Range¹s Richard Dvorin.  Standing from left-to-right are Nicholas Porter, Jonathan Jacobs, Kevin DeCosta, Christopher DeCosta, Marc Kaplan, and Edwin Velasquez.

Thanks to a recent donation by IBM to United Way of Greater Union County, children at the Evangel Day School enjoy learning computers skills on one of the centers new Young Explorer Systems. Pictured (Clockwise from top left) Yolada Estrada (teacher), Myah Beeks, Ryan Dolce, Raven Dozier, Valerie Luxama, amd Millenia Roldan.

Jerry DeNigris from United Way¹s Cranford Community Council stands proudly with an official proclamation from Cranford Mayor Daniel J. Aschenbach declaring it United Way Week in Cranford.

(Left-to-right) Dr. Richard Neblett, Eloise Bryant Tinley, Plainfield Mayor Al McWilliams, Mary Burgwinkle, and Florence Peterson stand proudly during a special reception to honor the volunteers of United Way's Plainfield, North Plainfield, Fanwood & Scotch Plains Community Council.

"Special Honors for a Nonprofit Website" was awarded for United Way of Greater Union County (uwguc.org). AdvancedGroup.net of Frankford Township, NJ received top awards from NJBIZ Business News New Jersey, for website designs for NJ-based companies. The event was sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

NJBIZ is the leading provider of business news and information about New Jersey companies and the New Jersey economy. The company publishes a weekly newspaper and also distributes information through books, their Internet site (NJBIZ.com) and other media.
 

Community Carey, United Way of Union County's leader in caring, and the New Jersey Devils' mascot welcome shoppers to Jersey Gardens' Magical Night of Giving.