William Wrang III and MARC Community Resources honored by Middlesex United Way

William E. Wrang III with daughter Catharine,
wife Heidi, and mother Alice.

MIDDLETOWN—William E. Wrang III, of Middletown, executive vice president of Webster Bank, was recently honored with Middlesex United Way’s Tocqueville Society Philanthropy Award at the organization’s annual meeting.

The award honors his significant role in inspiring philanthropy. Wrang is a member of the Middlesex United Way Tocqueville Society, recognizing philanthropic leaders who make an extraordinary contribution of $10,000 or more annually. He first became involved with United Way in 1997 when he served as Treasurer for Aetna’s United Way Campaign, and he served as Vice Chairman and Chairman for Webster Bank’s United Way Campaigns in 2000 and 2001 respectively. He has served on various committees and held several leadership roles with the Board of Directors.

MARC Community Resources based in Middletown, received Middlesex United Way’s Community Impact Award in recognition of the organization’s outstanding commitment to improving lives and community conditions.

Staff and board members of MARC.

MARC Community Resources empowers adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to realize their dreams and make choices about their lives. To honor and help fulfill these dreams, MARC provides people with choices for housing, employment, and social/recreational life. MARC Community Resources has advocated for the rights of people with disabilities since 1955. In that year, eight Middletown families worked tirelessly to inform the public about the educational needs of their children. Slowly they opened doors not only for their own children but also for many others who today attend school like any other child. They also opened minds, prompting communities to become more inclusive of people with disabilities. Today, MARC Community Resources has grown into a multi-faceted organization with 100 paid staff, serving more than 200 adults and children with disabilities in residential, employment, vocational, leisure and self-advocacy programs.

Additional honors went to Gary Simonsen of Madison, retired co-founder and president of PrimePay in Cromwell, who received the Community Service Award. Five new directors were also welcomed to the Board of Middlesex United Way: Maribeth Breen, of Clinton, Library Director at Henry Carter Hull Library in Clinton; Kimberly Hogan, of Groton, Director of Finance and Administrative Services at Middlesex Community College; Janet Porriello, of Wethersfield, Assistant Vice President for Staff Development at Seasons Federal Credit Union; Kevin M. Reich, of East Hampton, retired Assistant Superintendent of East Hampton Schools; and Meghan Slater, of East Hampton, Executive Assistant at Wright-Pierce in Middletown.

Middlesex United Way is a locally based organization dedicated to strengthening lives, helping people, and improving community conditions in the fifteen towns in Middlesex County. Middlesex United Way serves the towns of Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.