WATERFORD, Conn.– Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has received the prestigious Chairman’s Award of Excellence from the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut for its longtime partnership with the agency and extensive employee contributions to help those in need throughout New London County.
In addition, the social services agency bestowed its coveted Coordinator of the Year Award to Maria Tuneski, Charter Oak’s Payroll Administrator, for leading this year’s successful United Way campaign that produced across-the-board increases in Charter Oak’s employee participation, employee giving and leadership giving.
Tuneski has been Charter Oak’s United Way Coordinator for the past 24 years and regularly organizes employee group meetings and fundraisers to benefit the United Way. She also recruits Charter Oak volunteers to help staff the agency’s Mobile Food Pantry and coordinates special United Way events throughout the year.
“We’re honored to receive these two awards from United Way that recognize the hard work and extreme generosity of our employees toward those who need a helping hand in our local communities,” said Brian A. Orenstein, Charter Oak’s president and Chief Executive Officer. “For over 40 years, Charter Oak employees have gladly rolled up their sleeves and gotten the job done for United Way, whether it’s at a food pantry, or a homeless shelter, or a holiday toy drive,” he said.
During the 2017-2018 annual United Way campaign, Charter Oak and its employees raised nearly $89,000 for the Gales Ferry-based agency, a 25 percent increase from its giving efforts for the 2016-2017 United Way campaign. “Helping the United Way is simply a part of our culture here at Charter Oak. Our employees generously donate their time and their money because they really do believe in Living United,” Orenstein said.
Charter Oak was presented with the Chairman’s Award of Excellence, which is United Way’s most prestigious award, and Coordinator of the Year honors during United Way’s 2017-2018 Campaign Celebration and Chairman’s Awards Presentation at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
The Chairman’s Award of Excellence recognized Charter Oak’s overwhelming employee participation levels, its Gold Level Benefactor status, and the support of its top leadership as well as its Board of Directors. During the 2017-2018 campaign, Charter Oak had 27 leadership-level givers, which represents annual donations of $1,000 or more.
The credit union also ensures that there is a dedicated United Way campaign coordinator at each of its locations, and Charter Oak’s New Hire Program includes a detailed presentation explaining the services and value of United Way to those in need in southeastern Connecticut.