FOUNDATION MISSION:

To provide temporary family assistance and support for members of the Organized Militia and National Guard of Connecticut consistent with its exclusive charitable and educational purposes.

Thank you to some of our generous donors and sponsors

As we enter this holiday season, won't you consider supporting the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc and some of the charitable programs it supports, in cooperation with the Service Member and Family Support Center - Operation ELF, Gift Cards, Adopt-A-Military Family 

 

Operation Embracing Lonely Families (E.L.F) 

23rd Anniversary – 2024

Facebook:  @ConnecticutOperationELF

Instagram: @CT_OP_ELF

1.800.858.2677

 

In 2001, then Lieutenant Governor M. Jodi Rell, lead an initiative across Connecticut that afforded an opportunity for the generous residents of our State to show their support for Service Members and Families separated during the holiday season due to deployment.  The effort was an overwhelming success and in the months that followed, local businesses, organizations, school systems and residents continued to seek ways to illustrate their appreciation and respect for the service and sacrifices made by those in uniform and their Families.  In the Fall of 2002, Lieutenant Governor Rell’s initiative gained an official name – Operation Embracing Lonely Families (E.L.F.).

Operation E.L.F. has generated thousands of new, unwrapped toys, gift cards for grocery and department stores, seasonal services such as lawn care and snow removal and tax-deductible monetary contributions to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization that provides emergency financial assistance and scholarships to eligible members of the Connecticut National Guard, Organized Militia and dependent Family Members.

 

DONATION OPPORTUNITIES

 

The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.

 

The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in April of 2003 with the purpose of providing emergency financial assistance and scholarships to eligible members of the Connecticut National Guard, Organized Militia and their dependent Family members.  Grants are also offered to Soldier and Family Readiness Groups (SFRGs) in an effort to support their local missions of caring for Families.

All donations to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. 

are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Donations can be made on line at www.ctngfi.org

or by mailing a check, made payable to CTNGFI, to

Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.

360 Broad Street

Hartford, CT  06105-3795

 

If sending a check, please write in the memo section, “Operation E.L.F.” 

 

Gift Cards

 

You can support a Service member by supporting their Family with the donation of a gift card to a local grocery or department store, gas station or pharmacy. Additionally, Master Card, Visa and American Express gift cards are graciously accepted.

Gift cards can be given to families who have temporary hardships but do not qualify for State or Federal assistance programs, so that they can choose what they need most.

Cards of any denomination are most welcomed and appreciated.

 

Gift cards can be mailed to:

Connecticut National Guard

Service Member and Family Support Center

360 Broad Street

Hartford, CT  06105-3795

 

 

Adopt-A-Family Program

 

The Adopt-A-Family program was created to assist those Service Members and Families who are suffering extreme financial hardship and in need of help to provide necessary items of clothing, essential household goods, food and heating assistance.  Individuals or businesses may “adopt” a family from this category and help them through the hardship and the holiday season.

 

Those seeking adoption are carefully screened to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements and are in need of essentials.

 

Personally identifying information about these clients is never provided or revealed to the adopting entity.  Rather, a summary of the family’s demographics and wish list are given to the generous donor who then completes shopping and brings their donation to the Service Member and Family Support Center.  The assigned case worker will then make arrangements for delivery.   

 

If you are interested in supporting a Family in this category or know of a military family that could benefit from adoption, please contact the Service Member and Family Support Center/Operation E.L.F. Info Line at 1.800.858.2677.

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The Connecticut Military Corvette Club (CMCC) recently presented a very generous donation to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. (CTNGFI).   CMCC has long been a valuable and dedicated supporter of the CTNGFI, for which we are very grateful. 

Pictured left to right are COL Mike Sipples, Chief of Staff;  Gary Coviello, President of CMCC;  John Godburn, Executive Director of the CTNGFI;  Paul Vasques, Charter Member of CMCC;  LTC Jason DeSousa, CTNG Joint Staff;  Melody Baber, Deputy Director of the CTNG Service Member and Family Support Center.  

Both Gary Coviello and Paul Vasques are former members of the CTARNG.  Gary is a former Platoon Sergeant, Co B, 2nd Battalion 102d Infantry and Paul served in several units, including the 118th Medical Battalion and the 169th RTI. 

 

 

 

 

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A special "Shout-out" to the Connecticut

     Funeral Directors Association for their extremely

       generous donation of toys and gift cards for 

       Operation ELF and Adopt a Military Family.  

 

 

 

"A very special Thank You to all of Connecticut's Republican and Democratic Legislators, their staffs, legislative aides, press aides, research teams, and the Capitol Police for their recent donatation." 

Connecticut State Representatives Lezlye Zupkus, 89th House District, Deputy Leader At-Large in the House Republican Office, and Representative Michael Quinn, 82nd House District, Assistant Majority Leader, in the House Democrat Office, recently spearheaded a fund-raising drive to support the CT National Guard Foundation, Inc. (CTNGFI).  Donations were collected from both sides of the political aisle.  All Republican and Democratic Legislators, their staffs, legislative aides, press aides, research teams, and the Capitol Police, donated.    

This is not the first year that the Legislative Body has held this fund-raising event.  Due to everyone’s hard work and generosity, a record amount of money was raised this year.  On Monday, June 5th, a check in the amount of $4,270.00 was presented to members of the CT National Guard Foundation, Inc.  All funds raised will go directly to support the 2023 Operation ELF Holiday Party for family members of deployed service members.  Operation ELF is open to all families of deployed service members from any branch of service, located in Connecticut.  

Pictured from left to right is Representative Lezlye Zupkus, 89th House District; John Godburn, Executive Director of the CTNGFI; Michelle McCarty, CTNGFI Board Member; SFC Kelly Strba, Military Service Representative, and Representative Michael Quinn, 82nd House District.  

 

 

The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc is fortunate to be supported by so many  corporate, private and individual donors.  Two recent donations - one from MSgt Roger Beaudoin of the Connectict Air National Guard and the other from Ilia O'Hearn and Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney Division, are sincerely appreciated.  Were it not for such dedicated sponsors, the CTNGFI could not accomplish it's mission of helping service members and their families who are experiencing financial hardships. 

 

 

 

 MSgt Roger Beaudoin of the Connecticut Air National Guard, recently made a $10,000 donation to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. (CTNGFI).  We are incredibly grateful to him for his generosity and desire to help his fellow service members and their families, who are struggling financially.  Pictured left to right are:  John Godburn, Executive Director of the CTNGFI; MSgt Roger Beaudoin CTANG; Melody Baber, Deputy Director of the Connecticut Family and Service Member Support Center; Melissa McCarty a Family Program staff member and CTNGFI Director; and BG Ralph Hedenberg, Assistance Adjutant General, Connecticut National Guard. 

 

 

 

 

Our sincere thanks and appreciation goes out to Ilia O'Hearn and the Pratt & Whitney Division of Raytheon Technologies for their very generous donation of $10,000 to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.  We are very fortunate to have the support of so many corporate sponsors, like Pratt & Whitney, who give selflessly to our cause.

For twenty years our mission has been to provide financial assistance to service members and their families who are experiencing financial hardship.  We could not do this work without the help and support of our hundreds of sponsors and contributors.  To all of you goes our most heartfelt thanks and appreciation.