Bearingstar Charitable Fund – 2017 Update: Part 1
Established in 2012, the mission of Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund (“BICF”) is to engage in activities and support local nonprofit organizations that have a positive impact in the lives of people and communities that we serve. This support is achieved through the Community Gift Program of the Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund, a division of the Arbella Insurance Charitable Foundation, Inc. Donations made by the BICF are by invitation only.
So far in 2017, the Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund has provided financial support to numerous organizations in Connecticut and Massachusetts through our Community Gift Program. We are proud that our employees have volunteered their time and energy to support such deserving organizations. Thank you to our Bearingstar employees for supporting such great causes!
Access Community Action Agency
As a part of the Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund Community Gift Program, Michelle Lamotte from our Mansfield, CT office recently presented a check to the Access Community Action Agency. In addition to affordable housing, Access provides food, emergency shelter, home heating fuel assistance, youth mentoring and more for low-income families and individuals living in Windham and Tolland Counties.
American Cancer Society – Southeastern CT Relay for Life
The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund is proud to help support the American Cancer Society! Our Insurance Consultant, Tanya Ballestrini, stopped by to present a check for the Southeastern Connecticut Relay for Life event on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at Dodd Stadium. Relay for life brings communities together to remember loved ones lost, honor survivors of all cancers, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society make a global impact on cancer.
Avon Food Pantry
We recently teamed up with the Avon Chamber of Commerce on a free shredding event for the community. Shred-it provided shredding for personal, sensitive documents to anyone that donated nonperishable food items or monetary donations. All food items and monies were then donated to the Avon Food Pantry. With school being out for the summer, many families struggle to provide healthy meals to their children. The need for donations is year-round and we’re happy to help!
Bikers Against Animal Cruelty
The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund is proud to support Bikers Against Animal Cruelty (BAAC) as they work to create a world where all animals are treated with respect and dignity. Bikers Against Animal Cruelty, Inc. The motorcycle enthusiasts advocate against animal cruelty and neglect, promote responsible pet ownership and help defray costs of emergency veterinary care for the voiceless victims of animal cruelty and neglect.
Birthday Wishes
For the past four years, the Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund has been a proud sponsor of Birthday Wishes. Their mission is simple: to provide birthday parties for homeless children across MA, RI and Long Island, NY. Last year approximately 34,000 children enjoyed a piece of birthday cake at one of their parties. Bearingstar employees and their families enjoyed the perfect weather day as Birthday Wishes held its Sixth Annual 5K CakeWalk at Mount Ida College in Newton on Sunday May 21st. This is their signature (and only) fundraising event. We’re already looking forward to next year!
Boston Sled Hockey
The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund is proud to have helped the Boston Shamrock Sled Hockey team reach its $10,000 fundraising goal! The team will use the donations to compete in the USA Disabled Hockey National Championships in San Jose this April. The Boston Shamrocks Sled Hockey is a free program based out of the Allied Memorial Veterans Rink in Everett. The sport was created to encourage participants who have physical disabilities to get on the ice.
Coalition for a Better Wallingford
Insurance Consultant, Dana Quigley, an Insurance Consultant from our Southbury office, had the pleasure of presenting a charitable donation to the Coalition for a Better Wallingford. The monies will go toward their mission of education and substance awareness in the Wallingford community. The Coalition was founded on the heels of the opioid/heroin epidemic bringing a costly toll across the country and specific to Wallington. Their outreach involves supporting healthy family activities and those affected by this insidious epidemic.
Connecticut Association of Schools
The Connecticut High School Fine Arts Awards Recognition Banquet honors two outstanding seniors from each of the member schools in the state who excel in the performing or visual arts. They must possess the qualities of scholarship and leadership. The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund is proud to be a sponsor of the awards banquet and to be affiliated with the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS). We extend our congratulations to this year’s recipients.
Harmony House of Western Massachusetts
Insurance Consultant Joseph Tavella from our Longmeadow, MA office, had the pleasure of presenting a charitable donation to Harmony House to support their 2nd annual Beer & Wine Tasting Extravaganza Fundraiser held on April 29th. The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund was proud to be a platinum sponsor.
The mission of Harmony House of Western Massachusetts is to provide a loving home environment with compassionate care for the terminally ill.
Homes for the Brave
The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund is proud to help support Homes for the Brave in their continued efforts to serve homeless veterans. Based out of Bridgeport, CT, Homes for the Brave provides housing, vocational training and job placement, mental health and addiction services, and life skills coaching to help individuals, especially veterans, leave homelessness behind.
Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics
As part of our Community Gift Program, the Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund proudly donated $25,000 to the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics. This is the fifth consecutive year that Bearingstar has been a Platinum Sponsor of the LETR. The LETR is Special Olympics’ single largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. Connecticut had its first Torch Run in 1986 with a few legs converging onto the campus of the University of Connecticut at Storrs. The run then became a statewide event involving several more cities and towns.
James Mattioli 5K
Team Bearingstar took to the roads Saturday, 3/25/17, as a part of the 4th Annual James Mattioli 5k in Milford, CT. The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund was proud to serve as title sponsor for the race, which pays tribute to James Mattioli – a fun and loving young boy who was taken far too soon at Sandy Hook School in 2012. Proceeds from the day fund scholarships for four local high school students.
Merrimack Valley YMCA
The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund was proud to sponsor the LiveStrong program at the Merrimack Valley YMCA. The LiveStrong program at the YMCA is a free 12-week small group Fitness & Wellness program for adult cancer survivors, family members and caregivers. You do not have to be a YMCA member to participate. The Merrimack Valley YMCA is a non-profit, social services organization providing services to members and participants of all ages, cultures and needs in the community.
Penguin Plunge
Team Bearingstar braved the frigid temps this past weekend and participated in the Winsted Penguin Plunge to support the Special Olympics Connecticut. Jennifer Lajoie, her son Alex Lajoie, Chris Conway, Maureen Coleman and Elizabeth Gallegos all took the plunge and helped raise more than $3,400!
Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley
Our Insurance Consultant Joe Tavella recently stopped by the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley to present a check for their Scholarship Fund. The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund is so proud to work with RAPV as they help students pursue higher education opportunities.
The Umbrella Club
Insurance Counsultant Sally Schneider and Customer Service Agent Frieda Francis from our Darien officer were proud to present a donation to The Umbrella Club on behalf of the Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Foundation. The Umbrella Club is dedicated to providing compassion, support and financial assistance to families in need. Sometimes we all need a helping hand.
Walk like MADD
Bearingstar Insurance Consultant Jennifer Lajoie and her son, Alex, participated in the Hartford Walk like MADD event held this past Saturday, 5/6/17. The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund was proud to be a Presenting Sponsor of the event. The walk was dedicated to Ruth “Nanny” McCarthy who was tragically killed in 2000 by a drunk driver. This year’s MADD walk had 72 participants who raised over $30k.
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