Amid a busy month of annual campaign events, the agency last week held a kick-off at Stonebridge Restaurant.

It featured entertainment by the Rum Runners Charity Band and tips collected by local celebrity servers including Jim Wayne, Wayne Tire; Christine Shaw, Coldwell Banker; Heidi Voight, Miss Connecticut 2006; Alan Lynn, Milford Hospital; Fire Chief Lou LaVecchia, Milford Fire Department; Marcia Hallman, BIC Corp.; Kathy Huber, City Attorney’s Office; Vince Scarpetti, Milford Public Schools; Rick George, Milford Animal Control; Jon Berchem, Berchem, Moses, & Devlin; Erika Fonck, Scholastic Mortgage; Alderman Jude Toohey; and Mike Buckley, MP Buckley.

A short kick-off presentation was conducted by Gary Johnson, President/CEO and Campaign Chairman Ray Vitali, along with the help of numerous cabinet members and community leaders announcing the campaign goal of $1,010,100.00.

Friday was the annual golf tournament at Orange Hills Country Club, with about 100 golfers participating and was the dinner hosted by Stonebridge restaurant compliments of Rich Conine. The 7th annual event raised more than $25,000 thanks to many generous sponsors, players and raffle donors, the agency said. The first annual Bocce Tournament included more than 10 teams that participated in the double elimination tournament. United Way volunteers Dan Worroll and Jude Toohey organized the first-ever event, held at the new bocce courts at Walnut Beach pavilion. “The weather was superb! Dan & Jude did a great job with this event and we hope to make it an annual get together and include the family,” said Kathy Hart-Jones, United Way marketing director.

United Way also held fundraising events over the last couple of months to help offset the campaign. In July, Shop-Rite kicked off its second annual United Way awareness month, raising more than $9,200. This month-long campaign at the Cherry Street supermarket where customers were asked to donate to United Way at the checkout, kicked off with cookouts in front of the store with all proceeds going to the social service community organization. Food and staff were provided by Harry Garafalo, owner of the Shop-Rite in Milford. Some area businesses also have started employee campaigns, including Macy’s, Target, & JC Penny. Other organizations, BIC Corp., Schick and Milford Hospital, will hold campaigns in the coming weeks.

“We are well on our way and hope that this year’s campaign is a huge success,” said Johnson.