Celebrating 15 Towns and 15 Years

November 20, 2012

More than 325 people joined the Board of Directors and staff of the Community Foundation of Middlesex County on Friday, November 16, 2012 to celebrate 15 years of Helping Good People Do Great Things.

Presenting sponsors Essex Savings Bank and Essex Financial Services, represented by Gregory Shook (President & CEO, ESB) and John Rafal (President, EFS), joined CFMC Board member Judy Schoonmaker to welcome the guests. John Rafal, speaking on behalf of Essex Savings Bank and Essex Financial Services, congratulated the Community Foundation “for 15 years of success and dedication to all those who live work and play in Middlesex County. [CFMC’s] commitment to caring makes us all stronger and we believe that hard work should never go unnoticed.”

The 15th Anniversary Celebration was the culmination of a year of growth and change by the Community Foundation. Marcia Kalayjian, Chairman of the Board of Directors, outlined these efforts, during her remarks, including the move of the Community Foundation’s office, the soon-to-be launched new website, and the redesign of the Community Foundation’s logo – including its renaming to the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.

“Finally, in a wonderful effort to celebrate all the good we do together, the Community Foundation launched a 15th Anniversary Campaign this year. This campaign was conceived to “Grow Our Foundation” so that we could give back even more within our Middlesex County community,” explained Ms. Kalayjian. “I am pleased to announce that the quiet phase of the campaign has raised more than $3.5 million dollars in new gifts and pledges, bringing the Community Foundation’s pooled assets to $10 million.”

The evening also included the debut of the Community Foundation’s new “Faces of Philanthropy” video. Funded by an anonymous donor and produced by Outthink of Essex, this video features nonprofits and donors discussing the work of the Community Foundation throughout Middlesex County. The video gets to the heart of Philanthropy – Pure & Simple, focusing on the many ways individuals, businesses and organizations can work together through the Community Foundation to improve the quality of life in our community.

 

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSquT6lMbxk’]

 

The evening culminated with a thank you from CFMC’s Board of Directors and staff, delivered by Cynthia Clegg, CFMC President & CEO. “Over the past 15 years, you – our donors, incredible Board members, volunteers, staff, and funding partners – have made a huge difference. We are honored and privileged that you have allowed us to put your hearts and dollars to work to improve the quality of life for all in Middlesex County. Together we have helped children of all ages explore the wonders of the arts; we have helped people, young and old, to learn to read; we have helped preserve our local history for generations to come; and we have helped provide safe havens in these uncertain economic times. YOU have helped us accomplish this and so much more over 15 years. Going FORWARD, it’s up to you, to US, to look around and see what needs ‘fixin,’ to ask, ‘what can we do to make things better? How can we help … even more?’ The Community Foundation represents you, your passions and your willingness to help others – local people giving locally. Everyone can be a philanthropist – pure and simple.”

The Community Foundation of Middlesex County extends a special thank you to the many businesses and individuals who made the 15th Anniversary Celebration a smashing success – Essex Savings Bank and Essex Financial Services; The Clark Group; Liberty Bank; Middlesex Hospital; BEST Cleaners; Aetna, Inc.; Orthopedic Associates of Middletown; Pough Interiors; Pratt & Whitney; ConnectiCare; Connecticut Lighting Centers; the Director Family; Dzialo, Pickett & Allen, P.C.; Bill and Susan Gillespie; the Kirkpatrick Family; Suzanne and Chester Kitchings; Joan and Rich Tomc; A.R. Mazzotta Employment Specialists; John Biddiscombe and Gail Gorton; Attorney John Boccalatte and Dr. Michele Salonia; Cynthia and Randy Clegg; Dr. and Mrs. Robert Dwyer; Patrick and Dana McFadden; Jeffrey N. Mehler, CFP, LLC; Deborah and Roy Moore; David and Betsy Sams; and the wonderful volunteers of the Board of Directors, 15th Anniversary Celebration Committee, and Marketing & Communications Committee.