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Local leaders group photo July 27, 2016, Wadsworth Mansion. Front Row: Sarah Cody (Fox61), Rosario “Riz” Rizzo, Liz Shulman, Gail Morris, Cindy McNeil-Sola, Lynda Hunnicutt, Bernadette Jones, Laura Pedersen, Linda Bradshaw, Sharon Griffin, Deb Moore. Second Row: George “Sonny” Whelen, Dave Shulman, Bob Shulman, Andy Morris, David Director, Marc Levin, John Biddiscombe, John Bradshaw, Biff Shaw.

The Community Foundation of Middlesex County is fortunate to be surrounded by “Good People Doing Great Things.”  Every day the Community Foundation is reminded that everyone in the region truly cares about their friends and neighbors and where they live, work and play.

This spring the Community Foundation asked for nominations of those individuals, organizations, or businesses who should be recognized and thanked – our community’s Local Leaders, Local Legends.  The Community Foundation asked members of the community to think about those they believe go above what would be expected. The Corporate Supporter award highlights organizations that make a difference every day, Continue Reading »

On October 21, 2015 (Unity Day), the Community Foundation of Middlesex County and its Council of Business Partners hosted the second annual Rally for Bully-Free Communities. Close to three hundred students, teachers and partners from across Middlesex County and around the region attended the event. The students participated in team building activities led by Empower, The First Tee of Connecticut, and Rushford. Donny Marshall, Campaign Spokesman, encouraged everyone to be an UP-stander, not a bystander.

Check out the students standing together for bully-free communities:          (thanks to our many photographers on site, including Cobi O’Connell, Jane Raunikar, EMPOWER)

The Campaign for Bully-Free Communities includes the following partners with the CFMC Council of Business Partners:  Connecticut Association of Schools; EMPOWER; The First Tee of Connecticut; LiveKind; Donny Marshall; Rushford, a Hartford Healthcare Partner; and iCRV Radio.

The bully-free website provides other free resources including ideas to host your own rally or sign our pledge.

Over 300 participate in Campaign for Bully-Free Communities Rally; Chester Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Middletown receive $500 Grants.

Middlesex County students, educators, business owners and civic leaders came out in numbers to rally for bully-free communities at the Empower Leadership Sports Center in Middletown on October 21, in recognition of Unity Day and National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. Organized by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC) and its Council of Business Partners, the Campaign for Bully-Free Communities Rally included team building activities, guest speakers and the presentation of the inaugural Bully-Free Communities Spotlight Award before a crowd of an estimated 300 people. Awards, with a grant of $500 each, were presented to Chester Elementary School, located in the town of Chester, and Woodrow Wilson Middle School located in Middletown. Campaign spokesperson and former UCONN/NBA basketball star Donny Marshall was also recognized for his individual contribution and dedication to the cause.

Continue Reading »

Rally for Bully-Free Communities on October 21, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. (Grades 5-12)

We are thrilled to announce that the second annual Rally for Bully-Free Communities will take place during National Bullying Prevention Awareness month on October 21 (Unity Day).

Once again, the good folks at EMPOWER Leadership Sports in Middletown have generously offered to host the rally on their grounds. The Council of Business Partners at CFMC will provide free bus transportation for all Middlesex County middle and high school students and educators who want to attend this informational and motivational event.

Please RSVP by October 5 by email to [email protected] or by phone to (860) 347-0025.

Spotlight Award

Our other exciting news is the establishment of the Bully-Free Communities Spotlight Award to be given to Middlesex County schools that encourage students, faculty and staff to stand together for change and stand up to mean-spirited behavior.  The award opportunity, which includes a grant, plaque and award presentation publicity, is for programs that have been implemented in K-12 schools in the towns of Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.  Please take a moment to review the award criteria details and application form online and consider submitting your school’s program.  The first honorees will be recognized at the October rally.

On October 22, students, parents, neighbors, and colleagues from Middlesex County joined together in a show of unity for bully-free communities at Middlesex Community College.

Team building activities and demonstrations were lead by  partners EMPOWER, Rushford, First Tee of Connecticut, and LiveKind. Special guests Liz Shulman, LMFT, and campaign spokesperson Donny Marshall spoke about their personal experiences.

Here are some of the highlights of the day!

The bully-free website provides other free resources including ideas to host your own rally or sign our pledge.

PLEASE NOTE – VENUE CHANGE FOR UNITY DAY RALLY, OCTOBER 22

DUE TO FORECAST OF RAIN, THE BULLY-FREE COMMUNITIES RALLY HAS BEEN MOVED TO MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 100 Training Hill Drive, Middletown

National Unity Day – October 22.

Join students, parents, neighbors, and colleagues from Middlesex County in a show of unity for bully-free communities at a Rally from 9 – 11 am at Chapman Hall, Middlesex Community College.

Doors open at 9:00 a.m. with team building activities and demonstrations by our partners EMPOWER, Rushford, First Tee of Connecticut, and LiveKind.

We will also be joined by special guests who will talk about their experiences, including Liz Shulman, LMFT, and campaign spokesperson Donny Marshall.

We will close the rally with the Bully-free Communities Pledge.

These community representatives will participate in the rally event and then “bring it back” to their community with schools being asked to hold their own rally.