The QVCC Foundation, The Hale Foundation, The Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center, and NOW announce TackleJR

The QVCC Foundation is pleased to announce TackleJR, a race for youth, aged 2 -12 years old. The race will be held the same day as Tackle the Trail™ on Saturday, October 16, starting at 9 a.m. at the Putnam Lions Memorial Dog Park, 16 Kennedy Dr in Putnam, CT.

Thanks to TackleJR sponsor Betty Hale and The Newell D. Hale Foundation the race will take place on a short portion along the river trail and on the Tackle the Trail™ course including finishing at the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center (Hale YMCA) in Putnam.  Runners will receive official race medals, and enjoy cider and donuts thanks to Lapsley Orchard and the Bakers Dozen.

TackleJR sponsor, Betty Hale, said, “Tackle the Trail™ assists students in reaching their goal at QVCC by graduating from College with little to no debt, and is a healthy event for the community. TackleJR will now provide the opportunity for all ages to participate in this day.”

Monique Wolanin shared, “A heartfelt thanks to the Hale Family for their commitment to providing healthy, fun experiences to children and adults in Northeast Connecticut. NOW, The Hale YMCA, and The QVCC Foundation are excited to be able to offer this amazing free opportunity to kids. As a passionate advocate for getting people of all ages to get put down their screens, get outside, and get moving, I hope that families will make TackleJR their destination on October 16th, and that many of these children will one day run the entire course!

NOW Executive Director, Tayler Shea, commented, “NOW is thrilled to participate in Tackle the Trail by hosting TackleJR for the first time. Our organization’s mission is youth wellness, and the past two years have presented unique challenges to keep children engaged in healthy activities. With the cooler weather setting in, it is important to teach children not to fall into unhealthy habits, Tackle Junior is the perfect opportunity to do so.” NOW’s mission is to promote whole body wellness by providing the accessibility of health through youth sports scholarships, free wellness clinics, and nutrition education.

REGISTER NOW  for TackleJR

Tackle the Trail™ is a trail race through Northeast Connecticut for marathoners, half-marathoners, and relay teams.  Runners enjoy the quiet solitude of nature with bursts of energetic and supportive fans throughout this point-to-point race. Just 45 minutes from Providence and 1 hour from Boston, Tackle the Trail, a unique race in an amazing place! your gateway to trail racing in New England. (take out) Tackle is always the third Saturday in October and benefits students attending Quinebaug Valley Community College. Learn more about Tackle the Trail™ 

$62,000 Raised to Support Low-Cost Education

The QVCC Foundation hosted its 29th annual Golf Tournament on September 15, 2021 at Connecticut National Country Club in Putnam, CT. The Foundation puts on this yearly event to help local students pursue their dreams of higher education attainment at QVCC. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and players, the Foundation raised $62,000 at this year’s outing.

Tournament Results

• First Place Team, score of 56 – Kevin Cole, Brendan Meehan, Aaron Vargas, Greg Kosma
•  Second Place, score of 58 – Trevor Cardinal, Mark Lowell, Jeremy Hendrickson, Andre Lavoie
•  Third Place, score of 59 – Vinnie Carminati, Jake Merritt, Bob Willis, Dave Fundin
• Middle of the Pack – MJ Burke, Jack Burke, Dave Mulford, Kathy Mulford

Closest to the Pin

• Hole 7– Chad Gemmill
• Hole 9– Rich Zajkowski
• Longest Drive Female – Kristen Willis
•  Longest Drive Male – Trevor Cardinal
• Skins – Eagle #6 Roger Noll, Sean Vigue, Pat Kozelka, Jon Cote

Special thanks to our sponsors for allowing us to continue support of QVCC students!  For additional information about the QVCC Foundation or donating to the Foundation, contact Monique Wolanin, mwolanin@qvcc.edu or 860.932.4174

PLATINUM SPONSORS:

• bankHOMETOWN
• Foster Corporation
• Putnam Plastics
• Westview Sports Medicine & Aquatic Center

GOLD SPONSORS:

• Archambault Insurance
• Baker’s Dozen
• Berkshire Bank
• Byrnes Insurance Agency
• Cargill Chevrolet
• Cerreto & Associates
• Gerardi Insurance Associates
• Jewett City Savings Bank
• Joseph & Dawn Adiletta, Foundation President
• Joe Markley, Foundation Member
• Levine Distributors
• Luminant – Lake Road Generating
• Northeast CT Dental Associates
• NorthStar Home Loans
• Sandhill Investment
• Sarantopoulos & Sarantopoulos
• Spirol International
• Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors
• Zip’s Diner

SILVER SPONSORS:

• Brunet & Company
• Jack & Mary Jane Burke
• Centreville Bank
• Day Kimball Healthcare
• P3 Technologies
• Rawson Materials
• Sarantopoulos & Sarantopoulos
• WIN Waste Innovations

HOLE SPONSORS:

• A.C. Glass
• Stephen Adams
• Bachand, Longo & Higgins
• Bill’s Bedding & Furniture
• Brunet & Company
• Borner, Smith, Aleman, Herzog & Cerrone
• Bob Brex
• Bob & Karen Hynick, QVCC CEO
• Chase Graphics
• Christopher Heights
• Copeland Builders
• Creamery Brook Village
• David & Joy `78 Chartier
• Danielson Surplus
• Demers Enterprises
• Desmarais & Sons
• Dianne & Charley Williams
• Drock Trucking
• ERW
• George & Pam Brown, Foundation Member
• Fire Alarm Specialists
• Fluid Coating Technologies
• Fort Hill Farms
• Giant Pizza
• Inn at Woodstock Hill
• Jay Sinha
• Jim’s Upholstery
• John & Darlene Miller
• Johnny’s Pizza
• Killingly Fences
• King & Larkin
• LaFramboise Well Drilling
• Mike Smith Transmissions
• NECT Healthcare Credit Union
• Northeast Flooring & Kitchens
• P3 Technologies
• Page’s Tree Service
• Paquette Electric
• Parent Sanitation
• Peter Deary, Foundation Member & Kim Lane
• Pizza 101
• Pomfret Wine & Spirits
• Putnam Vision Center
• Precision Collision
• QVCC Alumni Association
• QVCC Maintenance
• Rene & Lynne Comtois, Foundation Member
• Diana Rose, Foundation Member
• Rocky & Jodie Wagner, Foundation Member
• Sierra Nevada,
• Signature Limousine
• Steve Bousquet’s Appliance & TV
• Steve LaPointe
• Stifel/Graffam Family
• Stomping Ground
• Susan Harrod & Dan Donahue
• Temporaries of New England
• Tri-State Rehab & Sports Center
• Truly Hard Seltzer
• Andrea Truppa, Attorney
• Vanilla Bean Cafe
• Wealthcare Investments
• Weiss, Stamper & Gadbois
• Westminster Tool
• White Claw Hard Seltzer
• Wile Hyundai
• WINY
• Bruce & Monique Wolanin
• Woodstock Building Associates

In Kind Donors:

• Steve Bousquet’s Appliance & TV
• Charlie Pious – UNICORR Nutmeg Container
• Danielson Surplus Sales
• Don Musial – WIN Waste Innovation
• Friendly Spirits
• Putnam Ford

Released: September 27, 2021

On September 27th, 1971, Quinebaug Valley Community College began offering classes at Harvard H. Ellis Technical School and Killingly High School prior to the construction of a campus at the 742 Upper Maple Street location in 1983. QVCC invites the community to celebrate 50 years of serving the communities of Northeast Connecticut on Thursday, October 21, 2021 beginning at 4:30 p.m. at our Danielson location.

In recognition of this monumental event, the College is seeking nominations for “Five Champions of QVCC”. Whether in a classroom setting, in a student support role, in a peer role or as a community member, champions advocate for our students and the college’s mission. Whether their presence was felt fifty years ago or today, they made impact on the history of the college. Nominations must be submitted online by Wednesday, September 29th for consideration.

NOMINATION APPLICATION

Program

• 4:30 – 5:30 Cocktail Hour
• 5:30 – 6: 30 Celebratory Ceremony including comments from QVCC President Emeritus Dianne E. Williams, Regional President Robert Steinmetz, QVCC CEO Karen Hynick, and the President of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Terence Cheng
  • Recognition of the Five Champions of QVCC
• 6:30 – 7:30 Memories & Mingle

The College’s COVID-19 policies on masking and social distancing will be in effect. In the event we are unable to host the celebration on October 21, we will postpone until Thursday, April 14, 2022

RSVP is required. Please respond by October 7th, 2021, to Jennifer Green,  or 860.932.4140

The Jobs for New England Recovery Grant Program, offered by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to member financial institutions, is intended to assist small businesses and non-profit organizations that have experienced significant losses due to the pandemic. As a member, Jewett City Savings Bank was able to reserve grant funds for eligible organizations in the Bank’s service area. Jewett City Savings Bank focused its support to those organizations that had limited opportunities to participate in other funding sources that became available through the CARES Act and other government programs. One of those organizations was the QVCC Foundation.

“On behalf of the students who will benefit from this generous grant, I want to extend my appreciation to Jewett City Savings Bank. The bank demonstrates time and again their dedication to the communities they serve. QVCC is fortunate to be part of the JCSB community!” Peter Deary, President of the QVCC Foundation.

Photo Caption (L to R)
_{Jewett City Savings Bank President and CEO Kevin Merchant and Diana Rose, Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Chief Operations Officer present check to Monique Wolanin, Director of Institutional Advancement and Peter Deary, President of the Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation.} 

The Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation is pleased to announce that 102 scholarships, totaling over $125,000, have been awarded to current and future QVCC students in support of a debt-free education.  Students from Northeast Connecticut, Central Massachusetts and Western Rhode Island round-out the list of winners.

In addition to current QVCC students, several area high school students were scholarship recipients. New for 2021, matriculated students may use scholarship funds for summer college, fall, winter intersession, or spring of the 2021/2022 academic year. This is an expansion to the typical fall and spring semester usage of funds by students.

Peter Deary, President of the QVCC Foundation, offered his best wishes to the recipients, “On behalf of the entire QVCC Foundation, it’s my honor to congratulate our 2021 Scholarship Winners, who have distinguished themselves in numerous ways. We are proud of your efforts and look forward to celebrating your future accomplishments.” Deary also shared his appreciation for donor and community support of Foundation scholarships, “It is thanks to the generosity of many donors who believe in education as a “hand up” that the Foundation is able to provide these scholarships and additional block grants to students. To our loyal supporters, current and former, heartfelt thanks.”

For more information about the QVCC Foundation, please contact Monique Wolanin, director of Institutional Advancement at 860-932-4174 or mwolanin@qvcc.edu.

Release: May 13, 2021

Generous Donation from Steve and Marge Townsend, the Buttner Family, and LiR members

**As of May 27, 2021 all funds have been expended**

DANIELSON – The Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation is pleased to announce a $25,000 block grant for 2021 Summer College courses. For any matriculated QVCC student, including incoming and existing QVCC students, who are pursuing careers in health care, may register for the following courses free of charge until funds have been expended:

• HLT 141- Intro to Phlebotomy
• MED 125, Med. Terminology
• HLT 170, Law and Ethics

Professor and Medical Assisting Program Coordinator Brian Clinton states, “This funding is serving students at different stages of their education. For those interested in new career fields and who need quick training, they can start with phlebotomy and medical terminology.  For those students getting nearer to the end of their training, the health care law and ethics introduce students to the complex issues of bioethics, maleficence, and justice. These are often topics on the national board exams student take upon completion from the allied health programs.”

Director of Intuitional Advancement, Monique Wolanin, praised our donors for their continued support, “This generous donation from Steve and Marge Townsend, the Buttner Family and LiR members is truly a “win-win.” For our hardworking students, they don’t have to worry about the financial burden of paying for these courses, while the greater community also wins as these same students will eventually graduate and go on to serve others in their chosen medical fields. As the pandemic has shown, health care providers are essential in all communities.  These donors are helping educate our future essential heroes.”

There are three summer sessions offered, two five-week sessions and a ten-week session, beginning June 7. If you qualify as a matriculated student, funds to cover the cost of the course will be applied to your account. For additional information, contact Jennifer Hyatt

For more information about the QVCC Foundation, please contact Monique Wolanin, director of institutional advancement at 860-932-4174

Release: May 11,2021, UPDATE May 27, 2021

The Robert and Mary Heneault Memorial Scholarship Second for the Family

 The Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation graciously announces the creation of The Robert and Mary Heneault Memorial Fund, which will support a deserving QVCC student that demonstrates high academic achievement while contributing to the overall good of their community. Robert and Mary Heneault (nee Keenan) were born and raised in Danielson, CT, and while their lives took them away from Danielson, it remained home in their hearts.  With their children they made a life in Canada; first in Montreal, then in Toronto, where Robert’s career culminated in his appointment as President and CEO of Stelco Enterprises. Robert and Mary recognized the transformative value of education and passed on a passion for learning that their children wish to extend to a QVCC student.

Monique Wolanin, director of institutional advancement stated, “Special thanks to the Heneault siblings for endowing their 2nd scholarship with the QVCC Foundation.  This meaningful gift pays tribute to their parents, helps local students pursue their academic dreams and shows the family’s trust in the QVCC Foundation.”

The QVCC Foundation annual scholarship application period will end on Friday, March 12, 2021. $150,000 in scholarships are available for students who are planning to start next fall and students who are currently enrolled at the College.

The QVCC Foundation Mission is to raise funds so all residents of northeast Connecticut have the opportunity to attend QVCC regardless of income and to support educational excellence, technological advancement, and professional development at the College. The Foundation also serves as the Regional Advisory Council to the College.

Released: March 9, 2021

Students can receive up to $650 dollars of support toward their success

The Quinebaug Valley Community College Advanced Manufacturing Center has received a $15,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation.  Since 2016, the program has received $75,000 to support student success in advanced manufacturing.

233 students have received support from the grants and are able to use the funds to support themselves inside or outside of the classroom.  There are a variety of incentives for students in the program to earn funds: enrolling full-time for semester one and two of the Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology Certificate; making the Dean’s List (also available for students enrolled in the Mechatronics Automation Technician Certificate); and for graduating with a grade point average of 3.8 or higher.

The QVCC Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center has been preparing program graduates for immediate entry into the workforce since 2012.  The 10,000 square foot state-of-the-art center has placed graduates at Connecticut and neighboring state manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and defense industries.

For additional information about enrolling in the program and for assistance with funding, contact Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center Assistant Director, Jodi Clark, jclark1@qvcc.edu or 860.932.4128.

Released: January 25, 2021

Quinebaug Valley Community College is very excited to welcome Sarah Wolfburg back to campus. On Monday, December 14, she joined the QVCC Foundation as the Director of Alumni Relations.

Raised locally in Plainfield, Connecticut, Sarah graduated from QVCC in 2002 and went on to earn both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in English at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. After returning to Connecticut, Sarah began working for Villager Newspapers. In 2015, Sarah became the first Executive Director for Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW), a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of youth wellness, offering scholarship opportunities to children in the region to access sports, fitness, and nutrition.

“Sarah exemplifies what we hope for in all our graduates: a person who has gone on to pursue her dreams while never forgetting where she started. Sarah’s learning curve will not be steep as over the past few years, in addition to her career and family responsibilities, she has made time to volunteer at QVCC Foundation events and served as an inaugural member of the Alumni Association Advisory Committee. I know our alumni and our students will benefit from having Sarah join our team,” said Monique Wolanin, Director of Institutional Advancement.

In addition to her professional roles, Sarah has served on the executive boards of both the Quinebaug Valley Regional Rotaract Club and the Putnam Business Association, including serving as chairperson of the First Fridays Committee. She resides in Brooklyn, Connecticut with her husband, Josh, and their son, William. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, painting, and traveling.

Sarah is eager to make connections with QVCC faculty, staff, students and alumni, sharing “I am thrilled to be taking on the Director of Alumni Relations role with the QVCC Foundation. As a proud alumna, I am excited to engage with past, current, and future QVCC students. I believe in the power and importance of education and it is an honor to have the opportunity to support the students of QVCC.” Sarah can be reached by email at swolfburg@qvcc.edu or by phone at (860) 932-4133.

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