More Than 700 Volunteers Will "Make Change Happen" At Seven Sites Across Connecticut On The 16th Comcast Cares Day

BERLIN, Conn., April 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, April 22, more than 700 local Comcast NBCUniversal employees and their families, friends and community partners will "make change happen" as they volunteer to improve seven project sites in Connecticut as part of the 16^th Comcast Cares Day.

Comcast Cares Day is more than just a day – it's the culmination of Comcast NBCUniversal's commitment to volunteerism that began when the company was founded more than 50 years ago.  From using technology to create positive change, such as wiring community centers and libraries and teaching digital literacy skills, to mentoring youth, to beautifying parks, Comcast NBCUniversal employees volunteer on this day, and throughout the year, to make a lasting impact. This year, more than 100,000 volunteers are expected to participate in nearly 1,000 projects across the country and around the world.  To date, volunteers have contributed nearly 5 million volunteer hours at 7,700 projects since Comcast Cares Day began in 2001. 

In Hartford, newly appointment Comcast Cable CEO, Dave Watson, along with several executives traveling with him from Philadelphia, and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal will join more than 350 volunteers at Sarah J. Rawson STEAM Elementary School (260 Holcomb Street) where volunteers, including those from a number of nonprofit organizations, such as United Way of Central & Northeastern Connecticut, will be working on indoor and outdoor beautification projects that include creating a green, sustainable and healthy outdoor space and makeovers to the school's STEM and VEX Robotics rooms.  In addition, there will be a special Earth Day tree planting dedication.

"As we celebrate our 16th Comcast Cares Day, we are so proud to welcome our CEO, Dave Watson, and work together with these incredible partners to give back in our community," said Michael Parker, Senior Vice President of Comcast's Western New England Region, which is headquartered in Connecticut. "It's truly amazing what's possible when volunteers donate their time to make a difference in the lives of others.  I'm inspired by the community's response to Comcast Cares Day, and am so thankful for the participants who help to make this effort a success today and throughout the year."

"Comcast Cares Day is a great example of what can be accomplished when we work together on behalf of children and families," added Paula S. Gilberto, president and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. "We are grteful for Comcast's leadership and proud to be their partner.  Comcast cares and so does our community."

Other Connecticut Comcast Cares Day projects include:

In Groton, approximately 100 volunteers will spring clean both the interior and exterior of the building at Riverfront Children's Center (476 Thames Street);

In New Britain, at Smith Elementary School (142 Rutherford Street) over 150 volunteers will be planting flowers and mulching, in addition to painting the community meeting room;

In New Haven, nearly 150 volunteers, including volunteers from a number of organizations, including United Way of Greater New Haven, will partner with the New Haven Housing Authority to transform the Elm City Communities McConaughy site (98 East Ramsdell Street) and work on projects such as landscaping, painting and general clean up, in addition to creating a family-friendly indoor common room;

"United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability for every person in every community, and we're proud to work alongside Comcast to deliver on that," said Jennifer Heath, President & CEO of United Way of Greater New Haven. "Comcast Cares Day is special because it mobilizes the community around important projects in neighborhoods that need it the most in our region."

In Stamford, nearly 150 volunteers will join employees from NBC Sports to spring clean the grounds of the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford (90 Fairfield Avenue); 

In Waterbury, at Walsh Elementary School (55 Dikeman Street), nearly 150 volunteers will be cleaning, painting and landscaping the grounds; and

In West Hartford, over 50 volunteers will join employees from NBC Connecticut for a Shred-It event at West Farms Mall (1500 New Britain Avenue) from 9 AM – 12 PM.

The Comcast Foundation will also provide grants to local community partner organizations across the country on behalf of everyone who volunteers on Comcast Cares Day. The grants will help Comcast's community partners continue their mission of serving the community throughout the year.  To date, the Comcast Foundation has awarded more than $20 million in grants to local non-profit organizations who have served as partners on Comcast Cares Day. 

Additionally, Comcast will once again fold in the broad support and amplification of Global Citizen and Red Nose Day, organizations aiming to end extreme poverty globally and in the United States. These organizations use the universal language of music and entertainment as a vehicle to engage people around the world to make a difference. By amplifying our support of these initiatives on Comcast Cares Day, Comcast NBCUniversal is providing additional ways to help drive positive change in our communities.

For more information on Comcast NBCUniversal volunteer and community investment initiatives, visit www.comcast.com/community. 

About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About the Comcast Foundation 
The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified nonprofit organizations. The Foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on their communities. The Foundation has three community investment priorities—expanding digital literacy, promoting community service, and building tomorrow's leaders. Since its inception, the Comcast Foundation has donated more than $195 million to organizations in the communities nationwide that Comcast serves. More information about the Foundation and its programs is available at www.comcast.com/community.

About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut 
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut brings together people and resources committed to the well-being of children and families in our community, where opportunities are available for every child to succeed in school and for every family to achieve financial security. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org.

About United Way of Greater New Haven 
At United Way, we bring people and organizations together to create solutions to Greater New Haven's most pressing challenges in the areas of Education, Health, and Financial Stability. We tackle issues that cannot be solved by any one group working alone. Learn more at uwgnh.org.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-than-700-volunteers-will-make-change-happen-at-seven-sites-across-connecticut-on-the-16th-comcast-cares-day-300443652.html

SOURCE Comcast Cable

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