Safe and successful in-person events raise close to $100,000 this fall for QVCC students
The Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation successfully ran two in-person fundraising events this fall to ensure residents of Northeast Connecticut have access to an affordable higher education at QVCC.
On Wednesday, September 16, 2020, the 28th Annual Foundation Golf Tournament, chaired by Foundation member and QVCC alumni Mark Light’03, was held at Connecticut National Country Club, in Putnam, CT. There was a reduced field of golfers, who followed COVID-19 protocol, but the generosity of sponsors, players and volunteers shined as $40,000 was raised at the outing. The first-place team, with a score of 54, included Bill Bartholic, Kevin Cole, Joe Markley, and Christian Sarantopoulos. Special thanks to Platinum Sponsors bankHOMETOWN, Foster Corporation/Putnam Plastics, and Jeff and Lindsay Paul/Whitcraft Group.
Tackle the Trail™
An early rainstorm gave way to crisp, clear skies on Saturday, October 17 for the seventh annual Tackle the Trail™ race. The field included 46 individual runners and 39 teams running 20-miles on the Airline Trail from Windham to Pomfret, CT. The first-place winner was Eric Blake, West Hartford, CT, with a time of 2:01:44 and the first-place female was Brittany Telke, Bristol, CT, with a time of 2:43:00. For the second year in a row, the 5 man team, Hartbeat Track Club, came in first-place with a scorching time of 1:49:47.
For 2021, Tackle the Trail™ will grow to include a marathon, a ½ marathon and relay team options. The race, always the 3rd Saturday in October, will end in Putnam, CT. The event raised $50,000 thanks to the support of racers and sponsors, including 2020 race sponsor Whitcraft Group. Tackle the Trail Race Director Monique Wolanin stated, “There is no doubt that it would have been easier to cancel this year’s race. However, that is NOT whom we are. Team Tackle, led by Foundation member Lynne Comtois, consisting of over 100 volunteers including; QVCC Faculty, staff, foundation members, alumni, scholarship winners and community members made this race happen.”
Support from both events continue to enable students to have a debt-free education at QVCC. Questions regarding the race or other opportunities to support QVCC students should be directed to Monique Wolanin, Race Director/Director of Institutional Advancement, 860.932.4174.
TACKLE THE TRAIL RACE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS
Release: October 29, 2020