July 12, 2004
Store contributes a percentage of purchases to Community Care Fund

Dozens of community health and human services programs benefited from a recent promotion at Borders in Bridgewater. A total of 15 percent of the total of all purchases that were made with a special United Way coupon on July 7 were donated by the store to the local Somerset County United Way Community Care Fund.

"This was our first fund-raising event held in partnership with Borders, and we are very pleased with its success," said Gabrielle Stander, sr. mgr. of resource development for United Way. "We raised hundreds of dollars for the Community Care Fund. That's money that will be used to support critical programs here in Somerset County. We'd like to thank Borders for hosting this event and thank the many people who came out and shopped at Borders on July 7."

"It was great," said Maria Clark-Adragna, corporate sales representative for Borders. "I am aware of the many services that United Way supports in our community, and it was a pleasure to work with the United Way staff in hosting this event. And, the money raised will help many people in our community."

Shoppers were treated to face painting by Moogie the Clown and evening performances of several numbers from "Les Miserables" by the TeensVill cast from Villagers Theatre in Somerset. "They were excellent, very talented," said Clark-Adragna. "We had a lot of fun."

To learn about future community events and fund-raising opportunities, visit Somerset County United Way's year-round programs page.

"If your business is interested in hosting an event, please contact us," said Stander. "Over the course of a year, events like this can have a big impact on the amount of funds available to local health and human services agencies through the Community Care Fund. They can make a real difference in whether or not funding is there for a program that needs it, and whether or not services will be available to members of our community when they need them. We greatly appreciate the spirit of community service shown by Borders and other businesses in our area that make their caring count through United Way."

Borders is located at 290 Commons Way in Bridgewater, across from Bloomingdales and Bridgewater Commons Mall.