Torrco James C. Smith Spirit of Excellence Award

Every year, the James C. Smith Spirit of Excellence Award recognizes the outstanding organizations that actively engage donors as they raise the funds our community needs in the United Way of Greater Waterbury’s annual campaign. This year, that honor is shared by two companies, and we are more than happy to tell you how Torrco earned this recognition.
Joel Becker, CEO, led the organization’s campaign by example. He and his wife, Nancy, are also members of the Tocqueville Society and past campaign chairs. She’s also served as our board chair. He champions our planned giving efforts and explained, “The terms community and neighbors are interchangeable and include everyone in the Greater Waterbury area. We know these people as customers, employees, coworkers, friends, family, and just to say hello at the local grocery store. As the United Way provides resources when anyone of our neighbors is in need, everyone benefits.”
While the Torrco workplace campaign did provide incentives, it’s apparent that employees embrace the work of United Way for its own sake. They volunteered during our March Reads and Stock the Pantry events. Our Emerging Leaders affinity group includes Torrco employees, such as Teresina Cambiotti and Isabela Montoya. Tom Cronin volunteers on the Financial Stability Council. President Chris Fasano serves on our board and CFO David Petitti is our finance chair and treasurer of our board. And five employees are leadership givers. All are generous: this year, the Torrco workplace campaign raised $33,969.32, which represents a 7.55% increase compared to last year.
The organization supports United Way as a corporate sponsor and increased its 2022 corporate gift significantly by stepping up to help us move to our new location on Bank Street. The 2023 gift was $98,000!
As if that wasn’t enough, Torrco was instrumental in our move, making sure United Way had enough boxes, tape, trucks, and people. Moving is always stressful but, thanks to the employees who spent days packing Torrco trucks and unloading them at our new location, stress was minimized and gratitude maximized. We cannot thank Torrco enough for what you did to help us and we think of you every time we use the equipment you donated, including faucets and our sink!
Thank you Torrco for your dedication to our community through United Way and for the vital role you continue to play in our success!