On June 7th, Fulton Block Builders (FBB) held its 2023 Kick Off dinner at River Vista Event Center. One hundred forty people, including block awardees and major donors, were in attendance to celebrate the start of the 2023 season. Attendees were inspired and energized by speeches from Mayor Deana Michaels; Mark Luciano, Brookfield Renewables Community Relations; Pamela Caraccioli, Fulton Savings Bank President; Calvin Corriders, Pathfinder Bank’s Regional President; and Chena Tucker, Richard S. Shineman Foundation Director.
The theme of the evening was “Fulton: The City of YOUR Future” All of the speakers shared ways the FBB participants can and are making Fulton a destination to live, work and play. Mayor Michaels started off the night by explaining how FBB has been a part of every grant the city has written and received because FBB demonstrates that as a city we are ready and willing to work towards an improved future. Mr. Luciano explained how Brookfield Renewables wants to be an active supportive part of our community. Each year they support one group located along the river that is participating in FBB. Last year they sponsored the Riverview group, and this year Brookfield has chosen the Forest Avenue group.
Ms. Caraccioli explained how easy it is for Fulton Savings Bank’s Board to give to the FBB program because they see the dramatic changes that are occurring in Fulton, not only in how the city looks but in how we are interacting with each other. Mr. Corriders explained that Micron is coming and because of the work the grantees are doing, we are making Fulton an attractive place to move to. He noted that grantees are being intentional about shaping the future.
Ms. Tucker brought everything full circle by explaining the concept of social contagion. We can choose to stay disinvested, not talk with each other and wait for someone else to fix things- that’s a negative social contagion. Or we can become invested, be neighborly, step up and help- that’s a positive social contagion. Fulton Block Builders is bringing positive social contagion to the city.
Linda Eagan, FBB’s Director, thanked the speakers for inspiring us to keep going, all the awardees for being part of something so big and for the many FBB volunteers for their endless commitment to the program.
