STAR and Deloitte Celebrate Three Decades of Friendship Working Together to Benefit Local People Who Have Disabilities For IMPACT Day on June 6, 2014

Over 60 employees from Deloitte will be volunteering  at STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way on Friday, June 6, 2014 to do painting and gardening at one of STAR’s 18 residential living locations for independent adults with developmental disabilities . The project is part of Deloitte’s 15th Annual IMPACT Day observance and national community outreach program. Deloitte has been a community partner and strong supporter of STAR for over 30 years.

The friendly relationship with STAR began when Deloitte employed Frank D’Acunto, a client of STAR, who has worked at Deloitte in the mailroom nearly 30 years. This past year, Frank was awarded the Jeannette Shivers Award for his years of service and employment with Deloitte. Since his initial employment, Deloitte (one of the largest employers of Connecticut with offices in Stamford, Wilton and Hartford) has employed six STAR clients in several capacities at the organization and contributed over a million dollars to STAR in the form of grants, in-kind sponsorships and volunteer projects.  During the past three decades, Deloitte employees have served on STAR’s voluntary board of directors, sponsored and hosted holiday parties (complete with holiday music, cookies, presents and an appearance by Santa Claus), assisted with STAR’s communications and trained and participated in numerous planning committees for STAR’s galas and events.

This year’s IMPACT DAY volunteer project is being dedicated to a Deloitte associate from the Annual IMPACT Day team who recently passed away, Scott Bayless (partner of the Deloitte National Office Independence Group). Deloitte employees from Deloitte offices in Wilton, CT, Nashville, Washington, D.C., Davenport, Iowa, Boston and San Francisco are participating.

Katie Banzhaf, Executive Director of STAR said, “ STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way has been the fortunate recipient of Deloitte’s generous local outreach for over three decades and considers the Deloitte organization and each of its associates to represent the epitome of corporate neighbors and supportive friends. Truly, starting with the leadership of Mike Cook and those who succeeded him, Deloitte has contributed over a million dollars to STAR in grants, in-kind donations and volunteer activities. Additionally, and most importantly, Deloitte has been a welcoming employer of six STAR participants who found their ‘first jobs’ at Deloitte and not only earned a paycheck but job skills, confidence, self-esteem and lifetime friendships. Today’s volunteer efforts to honor fellow colleague Scott Bayless is another example of this strong bond between our organizations. We are proud to count Deloitte as part of the STAR family and honored that their history of support continues.”

Deloitte IMPACT DAY is an annual celebration of Deloitte’s year-round commitment to driving positive change in their communities. On IMPACT Day, Deloitte delivers an extraordinary impact for local nonprofits through a variety of projects that support Deloitte’s commitment to education efforts, meeting veterans’ and children’s needs, and more. The focus is on bringing skills-based volunteerism and traditional hands-on projects to the community, leveraging the specialized skills and innovative thinking of their volunteers to help nonprofits address their current challenges. Deloitte personnel will volunteer on more than 800 projects in more than 80 communities across the U.S.

STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization serving individuals of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families.  They create opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy. They inform and encourage the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals. For more information about STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way please visit their website www.starct.org.