United Bank Foundation Connecticut to Serve as Presenting Sponsor of 24th and 25th Annual MCC Evening of Fine Wines Fundraising Events

Manchester, Conn. (December 17, 2015) – Manchester Community College Foundation is pleased to announce United Bank Foundation Connecticut as the presenting sponsor of the 24th annual Evening of Fine Wines, to be held on April 29, 2016. #MCCFundADream

In addition, United Bank Foundation Connecticut is making a two-year commitment that includes presenting sponsorship of the 2017 event, which will be MCC’s Evening of Fine Wines special 25th anniversary celebration. United Bank Foundation Connecticut will support the event not only with a total gift of $25,000, but also two United Bank executives, Adam Jeamel, Eastern Connecticut regional president; and Eric Newell, chief financial officer, will serve as honorary chairman and chairman respectively.

The annual Evening of Fine Wines combines a wine tasting with live and silent auctions of wine and other great items to raise funds for scholarships and programs at the college. Contributions directly benefit hundreds of students who need financial assistance to pursue and reach their educational goals.

Jeamel, who was appointed to his position at United Bank earlier this year, stated, “It’s a special opportunity to be the honorary chairman of this much anticipated annual event but it’s more exciting for the United Bank team to once again partner with MCC Foundation to raise the funds it needs to continue to help students achieve their education goals at what we consider to be a first-class education destination.”

United Bank Foundation Connecticut is also the donor of a previous $100,000 gift to MCC Foundation to support the college’s growing manufacturing programs.

“I grew up in Vernon, had family and friends who attended MCC and I’ve been able to stay close to the college throughout my professional career,” he said. “All of us at United Bank look forward to building on this success in 2016 and 2017.”

Newell is also one of the MCC Foundation’s newest board members, having joined this year. He added, “As I’ve become more active in the MCC community as well as the communities that United Bank serves, I am truly amazed at not only the first-class education and programming the college offers its students but also the influence it has on the economic vitality of this region and the quality of life for individuals and families in eastern Connecticut.”

Less than half of the college’s budget is supported through public funding, making the two-year commitment by United Bank Foundation to support Evening of Fine Wines a truly notable gift. As part of the college’s expressed appreciation to United Bank Foundation Connecticut, a named scholarship fund will be established, and the foundation will be offered a naming opportunity to be determined within the campus facilities.

“At a time when the cost of tuition, books and other resources are on the rise at colleges and universities across the country, MCC’s philosophy and reputation for providing students access to an affordable higher education without the debt associated with it after graduation is something we can all appreciate and applaud,” Newell said.

“Evening of Fine Wines is just another way we can all support the MCC Foundation in making the dream a reality for so many students,” Newell added.

Tickets for this year’s event are on sale for $85 per person. An early bird discounted price of $75 is available until January 31, 2016. Order online (http://eofw16.ezevent.com/). For information, go to mccgiving.org; contact Kisha Zullo, event coordinator, at wines@manchestercc.edu; or call 860-512-2922.

About United Bank: On April 30, 2014, United Bank (established in 1882) and Rockville Bank (established 1858) completed a transformational merger of equals by bringing together two financially strong, independent-minded institutions to create the premier community bank in New England with more than 50 branches in two states and over $5.8 billion in assets.  United Bank is a Connecticut state chartered bank headquartered in Glastonbury, Conn. with regional offices throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Holding Company for United Bank is United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select Stock Market: “UBNK”). For more information on United Bank, please visit www.bankatunited.com.

About the United Bank Foundation Connecticut (formerly the Rockville Bank Foundation): The United Bank Foundation Connecticut (formerly Rockville Bank Foundation) was established in May 1998 to assist in improving the quality of life in all United Bank (formerly Rockville Bank) communities they serve. Today, the Foundation makes awards, grants and other monetary distributions to meet the social, economic and credit needs of communities while reinvesting in them to enrich the lives of local residents and families. For more information on grant requirements, guidelines and to download the grant application, please visit www.bankatunited.com.