Mark Fries Receives Norman Leeds Award

BRIDGEPORT — United Way of Eastern Fairfield County presented Sandy Hook resident Mark A. Fries with the prestigious Norman Leeds Award for community service.

The award is United Way’s highest honor for a campaign volunteer, recognizing outstanding volunteer service and commitment to improving the quality of life for residents of the greater Bridgeport community. It is given in memory of Norman Leeds, Sr, who was instrumental in starting the Community Chest and United Way in the greater Bridgeport area, and his son, Norman Leeds, Jr, who later became president of the organization. United Way staff annually selects an individual to receive the award.

“Mark has been a remarkable volunteer for our United Way and the greater Bridgeport community over the last ten years,” said Jose C. Pena, PhD, president and chief professional officer of the organization. “His involvement in the campaign this year, as the vice-chairman and as the leader of several key initiatives, made him the unanimous choice of our staff.”

In addition to working on the 1999 Campaign Steering Committee and serving as the 1999 campaign vice chairman, Mr Fries chaired the Pacesetter Campaign and corporate gift development. He also served as the vice chairman of Chairman’s Circle Accounts and as co-chair of new account development.

“I would say he has had plenty of practice for his role as the incoming 2000 Campaign Chair,” noted Mr Pena. Mr Fries assumed that role on February 3, at the United Way of Eastern Fairfield County’s Annual Meeting.

In accepting the award Mr Fries said, “I’m incredibly honored to be in the company of so many of my personal heroes. I know the history of this award and I feel there are others who deserve this more than me.” Mr Fries noted that in 1982, Richard P. “Flip” Bodine, Jr had received the award. Mr Bodine was the 1999 campaign Chair. “Well Flip,” he said, “it took 18 years, but I finally caught up!”

Mr Bodine feels as strongly as the United Way staff about Mark Fries receiving the Norman Leeds Award. “He deserves it. He worked so hard on this campaign. We would never have reached that $7 million mark without his efforts.” Mr Bodine said.

In addition to his volunteer service with United Way, Mark Fries is actively involved as a volunteer with St Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation, the Newtown Scholarship Association, and the University of Bridgeport. He is a principal at Beardsley, Brown & Bassett, Inc. in Fairfield.

United Way of Eastern Fairfield County raised funds to support 102 local programs that helped more than 220,000 people in the greater Bridgeport region last year. United Way funded programs are involved in a range of critical services, serving the six towns of Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull.