The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation gave nearly $74,000 in grants Tuesday to 14 area groups that provide services to needy children.
“It's about giving back,” said Marc Bokoff, chairman of the foundation. Bokoff presented checks to groups ranging from the Community Coalition for Children to the Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut.
The chamber foundation raised more than $105,000 at its 23rd annual Holiday Gala last December, hosted by Mohegan Sun, said chamber President Tony Sheridan, and nearly all of the money will be used to help youngsters in the region.
Bokoff said the foundation received requests this year for grants totaling about $200,000.
A check for $20,000 will be presented today to the Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut to help complete work on its “expressive arts room” for children and teens grieving the loss of a loved one.
The chamber foundation will get naming rights to the art facility, which is in the hospice's new administrative office building and community bereavement center.
The Tommy Toy Fund will use its $50,000 award to help purchase new toys for area children. Last year, about 9,000 youngsters received toys from the fund, said Ellen Lind, president and publisher of the Norwich Bulletin, which sponsors the fund.
“The program is growing and the need is growing,” she said.
The Norwich Safety Net Team will use its $1,000 check to provide backpacks and school supplies to needy families. The Community Coalition for Children received $5,000 to help pay for a two-day diversity program.
Other recipients included:
The Connecticut College Children's Program, $1,500, to help fund transportation to and from the program; Easter Seals CT Inc., $1,500, for two partial scholarships for Camp Hemlock, which serves children with multiple disabilities; and Hygienic Art Inc., $2,000, to sponsor guest artists and speakers for after-school creative writing programs.
Also, the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, $2,000, to support its school literacy program; Mystic Area Shelter & Hospitality Inc., $2,000, to partially support two local homeless families with children for a 90-day stay in one of its emergency shelters; and the Norwich Rotary Club, $1,500, for the Mahan Coat project that provides winter coats to needy children.
Also, The Riverfront Children's Center, $1,535, for classroom upgrades; Solomon Schecter Academy, $1,000, for a science initiative; Voluntown Public Library, $1,000, to replace outdated and worn books in the children's collection; the Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut, $1,000, to help fund its school-readiness program; and the YMCA of Southeastern Connecticut, $2,610, for summer-camp scholarshipsLabels: academy awards, high school, scholarship |
