Hartford, Conn. (Oct. 29, 2024) – United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and FOX61 honored individuals, organizations and companies who are making a significant contribution to health care, housing, financial empowerment and education in Connecticut at the 2nd Annual ImpaCT Awards ceremony celebrated at Hartford Marriott Downtown. During the event, Arnold Chase, President and Chairman of the Sandra and Arnold Chase Foundation and Co-President of Chase Enterprises, received the 2024 George Bahamonde Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest recognition given at the ImpaCT Awards.

The categories and award recipients are as follows:

George Bahamonde Lifetime Achievement Award: An individual who has dedicated their life to service with the goal of making futures brighter for generations to come. The award is named in honor of the late George Bahamonde, who served as the President and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut for 12 years and was passionate about educational outcomes and opportunities for local children.

·       Arnold Chase, President and Chairman of the Sandra and Arnold Chase Foundation and Co-President of Chase Enterprises. 

Unsung Hero Award: A person giving their all to their community in quiet and often thankless ways who may not be known outside of their community.

·       Helen Nixon, Nixon Realty (retired).

Impactful Woman Award: A female leader whose mission is to help and empower other women, a true mentor and has dynamic energy and drive.

·       Fereshteh Ganjavi, Elena’s Light, Inc.

Impactful Emerging Leader Award: An up-and-coming changemaker on the fast track to leadership with a proven record of giving back.

·       Jaymie Bianca, St. Matthew School.

Impactful Educator: A teacher, professor, coach or tutor who has dedicated themselves to molding young minds.

·       Candace Donaldson, Posh Paint.

Impactful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award: This award is given to an individual or a company that has a demonstrated track record of helping or working with minority communities here in Connecticut.

·       YWCA New Britain.

Community Organization Making an Impact Award: A grassroots community group that goes above and beyond to improve their surroundings and help others.

·       Compass Youth Collaborative.

Small Business Making an Impact: A small business that makes giving back to Connecticut part of its culture. This small business, with fewer than 100 employees, is innovative and helps create a better Connecticut.

·       Cornerstone Counseling Center.

Company Making an Impact Award: A company that makes giving back to Connecticut part of its culture that invests resources into volunteerism and philanthropy, creating a place to work that allows employees a chance to do good along the way.

·       American Eagle Financial Credit Union. 

“The ImpaCT Award honorees are people and organizations who lead by example. They are making Connecticut a better place to live - a goal that we all share,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “As we celebrate our Centennial milestone, we are privileged to partner with FOX61 to recognize great work happening in our state.”

More than 160 individuals, groups and companies were initially nominated for the ImpaCT Awards. An impartial panel of judges comprised of FOX61 and United Way staff and volunteers narrowed the nominations down to three finalists per category in August. The judges reconvened in September to determine the winners.

“FOX61 is proud to continue this partnership with United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut,” said Liz Salvatore, Community Manager, FOX61/CW20, TEGNA. “The finalists and winners in each category saw a vital need in their community and they stepped up to fill it. We are so happy to have been able to share the stories of these finalists at the ceremony and look forward to sharing with the greater community during the broadcast later in November.” 

The 2nd Annual ImpaCT Awards raised funds for United Way-supported initiatives that are working to close gaps in child literacy, wages, housing and life expectancy. Event sponsors include Hartford Hospital and Chase Enterprises as Diamond Presenting Sponsors, Hoffman Auto Group as Premium Sponsor, HSB as Gold Sponsor and American Eagle Financial Credit Union as Table Centerpiece Sponsor.

The awards ceremony took place Oct. 25, 2024 at Hartford Marriott Downtown and will air as a special one-hour broadcast Nov. 7, 2024, on FOX61 WTIC-TV and stream on FOX61+.