Good Things

FIRSTPRIZE $AVINGS ACCOUNT DRAWING AWARDEE

The latest winner of First County Bank’s FirstPrize $avings account drawing as announced by Sheila Content, the branch manager at the bank’s Norwalk – Main Avenue branch, is Chandra Pankov of Norwalk. Content was delighted that one of her customers won this quarterly drawing. “It was a pleasure to call Chandra and surprise her with news that she had won $1,000. Extra cash never comes at a bad time,” said Content.

The FirstPrize $avings account is a savings account with a cash prize drawing element to promote personal savings. With each eligible deposit of $25 or more, the account holder earns an entry into a drawing for a $1,000 prize. The drawing occurs four times a year, with one winner per quarter.

The $1,000 prize is deposited directly into the winner’s FirstPrize $avings account, making the money available immediately. The FirstPrize $avings account is one of the many personal banking ac- counts that can be opened online.

Headquartered in Stamford for more than 170 years, First County Bank is an independent mutual community bank with 14 branches in Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, Greenwich, Fairfield, New Canaan and Westport offering a full array of digital banking products including mobile and online banking.

Veteran Hospitality Exec Named Ceo And General Manager

Gary S. Merjian, a veteran hospitality leader with deep experience in hotel and country club operations, was recently named general manager and the first CEO of Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York, which was founded in 1964.

He brings four decades of luxury experience in hotel and restaurant management and corporate events to the club, which has a full-service restaurant and lounge, ballroom, fitness center, pool, tennis and paddle courts, and Francis Duane-designed 18-hole golf course.

Throughout his career, Merjian earned a reputation for leading high-performance teams, delivering exceptional service, driving strong fi - nancial results and building strong relationships among clients, members, and employees. He enjoyed a 22-year career at New York City’s St. Regis Hotel, and volunteered as president and vice president of operations at the New Canaan Field Club Inc., a tennis, paddle and swim club. When the St. Regis was shuttered during the pandemic, Merjian joined Pelham Country Club as general manager and chief operating officer. He began his career at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, where he spent 14 years in various roles.

A resident of New Canaan, he earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Union Agreement Reached At Hospital In Hudson Valley

Members of 1199SEIU, the nation’s largest health-care union, have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a contract that will improve the lives of the workers, their families and patients, and will also help to recruit and retain staff

The ratification vote on Friday April 14, was the culmination of months of negotiating that began in September 2022. Technical workers at St. Anthony Community Hospital voted to become 1199SEIU members in September 2021. The following July, the service workers at St. Anthony, Schervier Pavilion and Mount Alverno Assisted Living Center joined them. Negotiations were held together, resulting in one contract for all 240 health-care workers.

“We are incredibly proud of what we secured in our first-ever contract as 1199 members,” said Amanda Wells, an ER technician and member of the 1199 Ne- gotiating Committee. “Short-staffing in health care is a national problem, but with below-market wages, it has just not been possible to retain and recruit. This contract provides competitive wages to attract new staff. To maintain staff there are longevity increases for service employees and experience steps for technical employees; these contract provisions reward staff for their continued dedication. Add to that 1199’s affordable and comprehensive National Health Benefit Fund (NBF) and we have a solid foundation that we will continue to build on in the years to come,” she said.

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing health-care union in America representing more than 450,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Florida.

Campaign To Fight Blood Cancer

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Westchester Fairfield market officially kicked off its 20th annual philanthropic competition “Visionaries of the Year,” which raises funds for LLS and the fight against blood cancer, a disease diagnosed every 180 seconds in the U.S. with no current means of prevention.

Visionaries of the Year has helped LLS invest more than $1.6 billion in cutting-edge research worldwide, fueling nearly every critical advancement in blood cancer treatment. And, as the leading source of free blood cancer information, education and support, LLS helps blood cancer patients and their families through a wide range of free services.

The funds raised are used for:

• Research to advance lifesaving therapies like immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine, which are saving lives today;

• Free blood cancer information, education and support for patients and families; and

• National and local advocacy efforts driving policies that accelerate new treatments and ensure patients have access to care so that they can live longer, healthier lives.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® is the global leader in the fight against blood cancer.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, New York, LLS has regions throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit LLS.org.