Chamber Foundation awards nearly $82,000 to help children

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation awarded nearly $81,859 in grants Friday to 22 local organizations that provide services to children from Eastern Connecticut.

The announcement was made at the Chamber’s office, 914 Hartford Turnpike, Waterford. 

According to a press release, since 2002, the Chamber Foundation has donated $687,214 to numerous local organizations that serve the needs of children, specifically those groups that address the Foundation’s goal of funding projects which enhance and enrich education and economic opportunities in the Chamber’s service area.  Foundation Chair Louis Ziegler said his group was able to distribute $20,000 more than it did last year, thanks to the generosity of those who attended the Holiday Gala held in December at the Mohegan Sun and those who donated items for the auction, the release said.

“There are so many people to thank who volunteer their time each year for the children of eastern Connecticut in order to make this happen, and on behalf of the board I would like to do that,” he said in the release.

“I would like to offer a special thank you as well to all the non-profits who will be receiving the grants. The programs they have in place, and their commitment to the underprivileged children of eastern Connecticut is simply amazing.”

The 22 organizations selected from a pool of 31 applicants work in a wide range of areas that are all designed to improve the lives of young people.

“We at the Chamber of Commerce feel it is important to carry out this vital mission. These groups provide important services. They range from the Mystic Area Shelter & Hospitality, Mitchell College, Norwich Safety Net, and many others,” said Tony Sheridan, Chamber president and CEO, said in the release.

Here is a list of recipients:

• Tommy Toy Fund, $25,000. The grant is being given to buy toys and books for children for Christmas, 2011. Last Christmas, 5,200 children in the Danielson, New London and Norwich areas were served by the TTF, an amount that is expected to increasing next Christmas. The Fund works through social service agencies in the region.
• ARC of New London County, $3,000. The grant is to provide funds for an in-home services program.
• CareNet Pregnancy Center, Groton, $2,500. The grant will support unplanned pregnancy—mother and child.
• Children’s Museum SECT, $3,240. Funds to underwrite a program on autism.
• Covenant Shelter, New London, $5,000. Funds would cover mental health services
• CT Adoption Center, $6,000. Funds to cover two no-cost adoptions
• Kente Cultural Center, $1,000. Grant to help underwrite a middle school career exploration project.
• Lyme Art Association, $2,000. Grant would cover art scholarships
• MASH (Mystic Area Shelter & Hospitality), $2,105. Funds will be used to help pay the costs associated with 30 days of emergency shelter program and services for two homeless families with children, a total of about eight separate individuals.
• Mitchell College, New London, $2,000. The grant was requested for renovation of a community playscape.
• New London Education Foundation, $2,000.
• Norwich Rotary Club, $1,250 Funds to buy coats for children
• Norwich Safety Net Team, $1,000 Grant requested for backpacks
• Read to Ride, $1,000 Funds for a book/bike program
• Save the Kid Fund, $2,500 Funds for special needs cycles
• Sensations Charitable Foundation, $1,640 Money for an after school program
• St. Vincent de Paul Place, $3,000 Cereal for hungry kids
• Thames Valley Family Program, $2,524 Funds requested for summer camp
• TVCCA, $2,100 Request made to fund the purchase of winter boots
• United Way, Gemma E. Moran/Labor Food program, $5,000 Funds requested to provide food for hungry children
• Visiting Nurses Association of Southeastern Connecticut, $5,000
• Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut, $3,000 Funds to provide a playscape

The mission of the Foundation is:  Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation,  a business community based 501(c)(3) foundation affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, dedicated to promoting initiatives that enhance and enrich education and economic opportunities in the Chamber service area.  www.chamberect.com