The Board of Directors and staff of the Community Foundation of Middlesex County would like to thank everyone who supported the annual celebration of “Good People Doing Great Things.” The 2016 Event Committee and the CFMC Development Committee put their heads and hearts into preparing a fabulous week of De-Lightful events this year. A trivia-filled evening amongst old friends and new, the StowAway Adventure, provided a special, sneak peek to the fun to come at the annual river cruise aboard the Becky Thatcher followed by the performance of “Anything Goes” at the Goodspeed Opera House. Thanks to your support, together, we contributed to the ongoing mission of CFMC to help improve the lives of those in Middlesex County – today and into the future.

Thanks to the generous support of the Carlson Family Foundation and Deborah and Roy Moore, the StowAway Adventure Party launched a week of celebration, fun, and surprises. Friends, new and old, gathered with CFMC at the Essex Yacht Club, Tuesday, June 7th. Everyone tested their knowledge of CFMC history and 1930s “fun facts” with a trivia game. With each correct answer, trivia aficionados placed a “passion” tag into a drawing – and the results were three small “pop up” grants awarded to support Women and Girls Fund, Colter Abely Achievement Fund and the Valley Shore YMCA. In addition, Katelin Greatsinger, a former student and now instructor in the Elizabeth Swaim After School Strings program in the Middletown Schools shared how participating in a program supported through grants from the CFMC Elizabeth Swaim Arts Enrichment Fund gave her the structure, drive and passion to pursue her life’s dreams.

The Community Foundation’s week of celebration continued Friday, June 10th, aboard the Becky Thatcher for the annual cruise on the Connecticut River. Guests presented special “boarding passes” to enter a surprise drawing before enjoying a beautiful evening with friends and neighbors. The evening’s entertainment included a silent auction featuring special packages celebrating the exciting wonders of Middlesex County. Before disembarking at Goodspeed Landing for the spectacular production of “Anything Goes,” CFMC guests were surprised by another “boarding pass” drawing which resulted in a small grant given to the At Risk Boys and Young Men Fund. It was a de-lightful evening of honoring the philanthropic passions of our members.

It truly was a week filled with good people doing great things. The proceeds of the events will benefit all in the region though the work of the Community Foundation of Middlesex County. The Community Foundation is grateful to everyone who helped to make a big impact in Middlesex County. CFMC is particularly grateful for the sponsors of the events: Clark Group; Gary and Beth Salva and the Salva Family; Essex Savings Bank and Essex Financial Services; the Carlson Family Foundation; Guilford Savings Bank; Whelen Manufacturing; BEST Cleaners; Updike, Kelly, Spellacy, P.C.; Middlesex Hospital; Deborah and Roy Moore; Dzialo, Pickett, & Allen, P.C.; Malloves Jewelers; Connecticut Lighting Centers; BrandTech Scientific, Inc.; Hartman Foundation; WJ Financial Advisors; Essex Marine Group; Nancy Fischbach and Martin Wolman; Joe and DeniseMarie Mendler; Maris Wacs and Dan Marderosian; Norm Needleman and Jacqui Hubbard; Bill Wasch and Christina Wasch; and Cynthia and Randall Clegg.

The Community Foundation of Middlesex County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Middlesex County. Its two-fold mission is: (1) to work with charitably-minded individuals and organizations to build permanent endowments and other charitable funds and (2) to support local nonprofit organizations through effective grant making to address community needs. Since its founding in 1997, the Community Foundation has provided 1,564 grants totaling more than $4.7 million nonprofit organizations for the arts, cultural and heritage programs, educational activities, environmental improvements, and for health and human services. For more information call 860-347-0025, email or visit our website.