Eastern CT – The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT Foundation announced it raised $103,000 at its 36th Annual Holiday Gala on December 6, hosted and generously sponsored by Mohegan Sun. The funds will support grants to local organizations that benefit children and families in the region.
Lou Ziegler, the Foundation’s Board Chair, a dedicated planning committee, and committed volunteers and Chamber staff have made the Gala a must-attend event year after year. The generosity of the sponsors and extensive donation of desirable auction items from local businesses made the evening of giving a success. In addition to Mohegan Sun as its presenting sponsor, gold sponsors for the Gala were Backus Hospital, Family First Life, People’s United Bank, and The Day Publishing Company.
Ziegler thanked all those who supported the Foundation’s event: “The Gala depends on the work of so many people who give of their time and talent as volunteers and the generosity of our sponsors and donors. I would like to thank our fantastic auctioneer Sam Piotrkowski and his team as well as our Master of Ceremonies Kevin Hogan, who brings his warmth and humor to the evening. Also, we are deeply grateful for the outstanding hospitality and support of the Mohegan Sun and the Mohegan Tribe.”
The Foundation looks forward to their next event, the 9th Annual Bowl-a-thon at Foxwoods Resort Casino’s High Roller Luxury Lanes in April.
In the coming weeks, the Foundation committee will accept grant applications from eligible nonprofit organizations in order to distribute funds raised from the Holiday Gala and other efforts over the past year.
Information about the Foundation is available for download here. Grant applications will be available in January. The deadline for submission is February 14, 2020. The Foundation expects to make distributions to the awarded grantees in March with an announcement at the Chamber office in Waterford.
Since 2002, the Chamber Foundation has donated more than $1.5 million 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.