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MANSFIELD - Cinco de Mayo was the date as well as the theme Monday night as the United Way of Greater Attleboro-Taunton celebrated its annual campaign awards night at the Holiday Inn.

President Dianne DePippo, in her welcoming speech, said the annual bash was a way for the UW to recognize the many organizations that give it their all in helping the organization raise money to help others. The 2007 campaign brought in $2.1 million.

After a dinner consisting of - of course - Mexican food served up by the volunteer señors and señoritas from the Attleboro Community Theater, DePippo introduced the UW team which included Vice President Jamie Crossman, Chief Financial Officer Sue Parchesco, Executive Assistant Claudia Swiader, Community Impact Coordinator Melissa Vanhorn, Campaign Coordinator Emily Ruth Treano, and Campaign Associates Diane Franciosa and Linda George.

According to DePippo, one in three people in the Attleboro and Taunton area communities depend on programs and services made available through United Way funding, such as counseling, child care, camp, recreation, hospice, medical care, rental and utility assistance, and these, in turn, depend on dedicated volunteers whose "collective support, guidance and labors" enable the United Way to be highly effective as a community builder and leader.

Patrick Murray, chairman of the board of directors, recognized board members as "a dynamic group of individuals who give of their time, talents, and treasures to support the United Way's mission of 'doing the most good for the most amount of people.'" The board is made up of Edward Casey, vice chairman; James Castro, treasurer; Oreste D'Arconte, assistant treasurer; Joseph Gormley, secretary; and Michael Andrade, Cheryl Barrows, Cheri-Lynne Catalan, Richard Dane Jr., Edward Dion Jr., Robert Fennessy Jr., Daryl Gaines, Theda Hornung, William Larson, Michael Lemelin, Kelly Morra, Peter Ottmar, Thomas Percy, Harold Rose, Philip Shea, Dianne Thurber, Joan Woodbury and Mazin Yehia.

Co-chairs for the 2007 Campaign were Dennis Kelly, President of Bristol County Savings Bank, and Jack Lank, president of the Attleboro Area Chamber of Commerce.

The 2007 Platinum Award recipients, with a minimum of 75 percent employee participation and an average employee gift of $78 were:

Barrows Insurance Agency, Anawon Council Boy Scouts of America, Bristol County Savings Bank, Checon Corp., Community Counseling of Bristol County, Girls Inc. of Taunton, LeStage Manufacturing Co., Matrix Metal Products, National Grid of Attleboro, Princess House, Richardson-Cuddy Insurance Agency, Sensata Technologies, Taunton Federal Credit Union, the Arc of Northern Bristol County, and United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton.

Gold Award recipients, with employee participation of 65 percent and an average employee gift of $55 were:

Markman Children's Programs, Reliable Electro Plating, and S.E.E.D Corp.

Silver Awards, representing a 50 percent employee participation level and an average employee gift of $45 were:

Action Automation and Controls, Charles Thomae and Sons, Community Partnerships, Community VNA, DePuy- a Johnson & Johnson Co., Girl Scouts of Southeastern Massachusetts, Larson Tool & Stamping Co., Mason Box Co., New Hope, Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant, and Taunton Stove Co.