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UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT | COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2022 | 7 I n 2019, Ed Kindelan, Mark Vasington and Dave Soule reached out to United Way with an idea to rally the commercial real estate and building industry in greater Hartford to address homelessness. "For more than a decade, the commercial real estate and building industry has held an event in Boston, in partnership with United Way, to address homelessness. They have raised millions of dollars since the event began and have found a meaningful way to bring the industry together - that was inspiring to me," said Ed Kindelan. "We have an incredibly strong industry of our own here in the greater Hartford region and I felt like we had a real opportunity to come together to do something really impactful for our own community." Hartford's commercial real estate and building industry is filled with people who are HOW THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AND BUILDING INDUSTRY JOINED FORCES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE "Jeff Digel had this quiet energy and enthusiasm that connected people to each other and their community in a way that was so inspiring," said Dave Soule. "Everyone thought that they were Jeff's best friend because he made every person he encountered feel important. He was extremely successful in our industry, and he gave his time to many causes, but the one that was most important to him was founding Covenant Preparatory School in Hartford. It was really important to us that we honored Jeff's life and his legacy through this event, and we created the Jeffrey Digel Award, which will be given deeply committed to making a difference, not just through their work, but through their investment in philanthropy and service, as well. One of its most committed members, the late Jeff Digel, consistently inspired his colleagues to engage in building a brighter future for the next generation. Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, speaks from the podium at the 2nd Annual Building Founations Breakfast.