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The
2004 Community Celebration/Party in the Park was hosted by Somerset
County United Way and the Somerset County Park Commission on Sunday,
June 27 at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater. The event was sponsored
by Pfizer. The weather was spectacular as more than 1,000 people
turned out to enjoy an afternoon in the park.
"We combined two of our most popular events, our annual
Party in the Park and our campaign finale celebration," said
Irene Natale, associated mgr. of community and volunteer services
for United Way. "Our new Community Celebration featured family
activities, entertainment and informative exhibits by affiliated
nonprofit agencies."
Visitors
had the opportunity to learn about local health and human services
available in Somerset County and helped with several on-site volunteer
projects, such as sending greetings to veterans or making tissue
paper flowers as decorations for a local nursing home. The children
enjoyed free popcorn, spin art and other activities while the
seniors enjoyed a sing-along performance by Crazy Henry and Banjo
Bob.
Somerset County United Way used to the occasion to thank their
corporate partners for their support of the 2003-2004 fund-raising
campaign. Aventis Pharmaceuticals was honored with the 2004 Outstanding
Partner Award. They raised close to $1 million through their United
Way campaign and they had 100 percent participation in Somerset
County United Way volunteer programs. They sponsored United Way's
2003 Day of Caring and have underwritten the costs of the last
three Somerset County United Way campaign videos. The 2002-2003
video was recently recognized with several awards, including an
Award of Excellence from The Videographer Awards.
The headline entertainment of the afternoon was a performance
by Total Soul as they presented rhythm & blues, soul and Motown
hits from the 60s to the present.
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