Stamford Chamber Of Commerce Announces Award Recipients

Press release from Stamford Chamber of Commerce:

Aug. 20, 2021

On September 30th, the Stamford Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their virtual 34th Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony with Keynote Speakers Governor Ned Lamont, Commissioner David Lehman and with welcome remarks from Mayor David Martin. The virtual event will be hosted at the Residence Inn by Marriott Stamford Downtown located at 25 Atlantic Street. People’s United Bank has sponsored this signature event for over 20 consecutive years, and they will once again sponsor the event this year. The Chamber is grateful for People’s United Bank’s ongoing support to the Chamber and the business community.

Reflecting back on the Chamber’s past 34 years this year is certainly an example of perseverance and a community led by progressive business leaders in the face of a worldwide pandemic. This Annual Meeting symbolizes strength within the City of Stamford and determination to collectively partner together through the recovery process.

Two major components were impacted throughout the pandemic. One was health and welfare and the other was the financial impact on the economic landscape within the business community. “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Stamford Chamber has remained committed to supporting our business community as we navigate the significant challenges that we are all facing. We admire the innovation of the business community that is the backbone of our city. Together, we are emerging on the other side better and stronger than ever before” said Heather Cavanagh, President & CEO of the Stamford Chamber.

This Annual Meeting is a tribute especially to this year’s Award Recipients who we acknowledge with gratitude for their dedication and support, not only to the Chamber but also all of Stamford. The Board of Directors and Chamber Staff are pleased to announce the 2021 Company of the Year and Member of the Year Award Recipients as well as a very special Community Excellence Award.

The Company of the Year Award is presented to ShopRite and the Cingari Family.
From the beginning of March 2020 through present, the Cingari Family and their dedicated employees worked day and night, without hesitation, to ensure that all their customers had food on their tables and the necessary products that they needed. For the Cingari’s, food means family. From vegetable gardens in the backyard to weekly Sunday dinners, food brought everyone together, and eventually food became the family business. After losing his job to the Great Depression in 1929, Salvatore Cingari bought an old school bus, loaded it with fresh produce, and started delivering door-to-door in Stamford. Nearly 100 years later, Salvatore’s children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren have turned those humble beginnings into 11 ShopRite locations in Connecticut.

This success is not possible without the support of the local community. As a family-owned operation, ShopRite is committed to delivering fresh, delicious food at an affordable price. Equally important is bettering the towns in which they live and work. From fighting against hunger with the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County and supporting local schools, to scholarship programs, and cultural institutions, the Cingari’s dedication to their communities is steadfast.

That call for service has never been more important than over the past two years. The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on how vital health, family, and food are. The Cingari’s and their thousands of employees have been on the frontlines through it all – navigating the safety protocols, decimated supply chains, and devastated communities. Despite all this, they focused on delivering the same vision Salvatore had in 1929 on that school bus -- get fresh food to the people who need it most.

The Chamber is supported by many members throughout the year, and this year one member in particular stands out for her invaluable contributions that continue to support the Chamber, in every aspect, throughout the pandemic and now recovery process. She was our link to Dr. Parry, Stamford’s own Dr. Fauci, who provided invaluable information to our business community and guidance through the pandemic along with the leadership of Kathleen Silard, President & CEO of Stamford Health.

The Member of The Year Award is presented to a dedicated individual who has never slowed down in her efforts to be the ultimate support system for the Chamber. This year’s award is presented Laura Jordan, Director of Government Affairs & Community Relations at Stamford Health.

During the 2020 Spring and Fall COVID-19 surges, she ensured Stamford Health's executives and infectious diseases leaders had virtual platforms to provide businesses, organizations serving at-risk individuals, elected officials, and the general public with critical COVID-19 information. When vaccines became available, she created Stamford Health's No Barriers program to facilitate and encourage vaccinations for socially vulnerable populations. With a generous grant from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen foundation, she organized a door-to-door vaccine persuasion program. The City of Stamford subsequently obtained a state grant to continue this program. This effort correlates to Stamford's vaccine rate substantially exceeding other Connecticut cities. Laura has been a long-time active member of the Stamford Chamber and a member of the Board of Directors. Her energy and can-do attitude support every aspect of the Chamber operations.

Stamford Health is a non-profit independent health care system with more than 3,600 employees committed to caring for the community through a wide range of high-quality health and wellness services even through a worldwide pandemic. Patients and their families receive expert, compassionate care through a wide range of high-quality health and wellness services through the system's 305-bed Stamford Hospital; Stamford Health Medical Group, with more than 40 offices in lower Fairfield County offering primary and specialty care; a growing number of ambulatory locations across the region; and support through the Stamford Hospital Foundation.

The Community Excellence Award is proudly presented to People’s United Bank for their dedication and support to the business community and the Chamber. We proudly recognize Valerie Senew, SVP & Growth Manager, Marjan Murray, Executive Vice President and Fanny Ferreira, VP Senior Market Manager/Area Manager Retail Business Branch Banking for their dedication and commitment to the Stamford community for over 20 years. They each respectively have served in various capacities on the Chamber’s Board of the Directors, as a past Chairman or as a volunteer. We also thank them for their event sponsorships and contributions that have supported the economic landscape within the business community. Through their collaborations and employees, they have touched so many lives and made a positive difference in our communities through their important work supporting numerous nonprofit organizations. Their company-wide initiatives enhanced the quality of life for residents, promoted economic development and supported the educational needs of children and youth. Through their tireless efforts in volunteering and charitable giving, they have made Stamford and our surrounding communities a much better place for future years to come!

“These three award recipients are providing vital contributions to our organization and the community. I admire the strength, resilience, and tenacity, of the award recipients that continue to assist our businesses and the City of Stamford during these challenging times. Let us all do our best to support one another as we progress through the recovery process. The pandemic may have changed the way we do business, and the way we live our lives, but has shown that we are #stamfordstrong and in this together,” stated Heather Cavanagh, President and CEO of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce.

For more information with regards to the event or to register, please visit www.stamfordchamber.com. For sponsorship opportunities and to purchase a congratulatory advertisement in our digital program book, please contact Cindy Busani, Events & Communications Coordinator at cbusani@stamfordchamber.com.

This press release was produced by Stamford Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author's own.