The Main Street Community Foundation received $1.5 million in contributions in 2022 and established 13 new funds, it was announced at the organization’s annual meeting on March 10, according to a press release.
This past year the Foundation distributed a record $2.3 million in grants and scholarships to benefit the residents of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott through programs and community leadership initiatives, with a total of $26 million being awarded since the establishment of the Foundation since 1995.
Among those receiving grantees for the first time were Veterans Strong Community Center, a resource and information center for Veterans in the Greater Bristol area, and St. Vincent De Paul Mission of Bristol, an emergency shelter for men, women, and children in Bristol.
Representatives from both organizations addressed the impact MSCF has made on the work that they do. Veterans Strong’s Donna Dognin and Amy Wernicki presented Susan Sadecki, president and CEO of MSCF, and Scott Fournier, board chair, with a commemorative dog tag and a certificate of appreciation acknowledging the Foundation as an “outstanding patriot partner.”
Christine Thebarge, Executive Director of St. Vincent De Paul Mission of Bristol, then spoke about the work her and her team do to assist our communities’ most vulnerable population with dignity and respect.
Another MCCF grantee, Productions for Change, produced several videos demonstrating the work done by St. Vincent De Paul staff as well as personal stories from residents, two of which were viewed at the annual meeting.
Three new directors were elected to the board: Plainville resident Brent T. Davenport of Shaffer Beacon Mechanical; Burlington resident Virginia Fitzgerald of Yarde Metals and Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.; and Bristol resident Suzanne M. Passini of Tunxis Community College.
Directors Mark Moriarty of Bristol and Jennifer O’Connor of Southington were re-elected.
Kimberly James and Mell Hobson ended their tenure on the board, after serving two three-year terms, shifting their involvement to committee work.
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