2025 Annual Appeal

  November 1, 2025

 

Dear Friends of the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc,

         As I sit down to write my first annual appeal letter as the new president of the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc, (CTNGFI) I want to take a moment to recognize my predecessor.  This year Chris Mackenzie retired as a board member and president of the CTNGFI.  For well over 10 years, first as Director and then President, Chris dedicated countless hours and energy to making the CTNGFI relevant and responsive to the service members and families of the Connecticut National Guard.  Because of his hard work, the CTNGFI can be proud of it’s record of awarding over $1.9 million dollars in grants and scholarships. Chris, thank you very much!

         I now turn my attention to you, and ask you to help me continue the fine and noble work that Chris began.  That record of awarding over $1.9 million dollars would not be possible were it not for the generosity of donors like you.  

         A month ago, I did not think I would be saying this, but our general fund is suffering.  The federal government shut-down is taking its toll on our Connecticut National Guard service members and families.  Everything from service members not being paid when they drill, to federal employees considered essential and must work, but are not being paid – our members are struggling.  Since October 1, the start of the shut-down, we have experienced a significant increase in requests for help.  Many of our members are suffering, and need your help!

        Can you imagine counting your last dollars, trying to decide what matters most – keeping the lights on, or buying a few groceries to get through the week – and having to make that same painful choice, week after week. 

        This is the situation that many of our service members and military families are facing.

        When you make a contribution to the CTNGFI you join a special community of donors dedicated to ending the suffering of our members and families in need.  Your gift will make a positive and practical difference in lifting up service members and their families, who are suffering.  Your gift to our general fund will be used to help support our members suffering with such needs as weekly care and emergency relief, food assistance, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, home health care and medical expenses. 

        Your donation, no matter how large or small, could be the lifeline to our military families and service members who have nowhere else to turn.    Please make this special difference – a life-sustaining difference for many – by sending your contribution today to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.

        In addition to the impact that the federal government shut-down is having on our members, overseas deployments are also taking their toll.  For 2025-2026, over 1,000 CT National Guard members are deployed around the world.  Because of these deployments, we have seen an increase in requests for help – not only for monetary assistance, but also for food and gift cards.  

       With such a large number of service members deployed, we anticipate that this year’s Operation ELF Holiday Party will be especially large, requiring many more toys and gift cards than normal, for the families of those deployed members.  If you are not able to make a monetary donation, won’t you consider making a donation of gift cards and/or toys to Operation ELF?  This year Operation ELF will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025.

       In order for us to assist these families, we need your help.  Our hope is to continue to support our Guard family as long as the need exists, but we cannot do it alone.  We need your help.  Contributions can be made by check, credit card, PayPal, and Venmo.  You can donate by check or credit card, by using the enclosed reply card and envelope, or for PayPal by going to our website at www.ctngfi.org  and clicking on the “how to help tab” and then the donate button.  To donate by Venmo use our account name:  @ctngfi.  If you are using Venmo, please be sure to provide your name, address and/or email and cell number for proper acknowledgement of your donation.  

       This is the season for giving thanks ... and in that spirit, thank you for all you do for our Foundation.   Please send your most generous gift today.

       Sincerely,

 

       Michelle McCarty

       President

 

P.S.  If you are age 701/2 or older, have you considered making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA to the Foundation?  For those over 72, such gifts may be counted toward your Required Minimum Distribution for the year.  Please also consider including the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. in your estate plans.  Your legacy gift can create a lasting impact and contribute to the long-term well-being of our foundation.  

** Before making any estate plans always consult a qualified financial advisor or planner to discuss your particular situation, needs and goals. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2022 Donors and Sponsors

Presidents Circle (Contributions of $1000 and above)

Greater Hartford Automobile Dealers Association

Katharine & Henry McLane Charitable Trust

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association CT 31-1

DND Construction Services

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Crowley Auto Group

Kenneth M Crowley

Connecticut General Assembly

Sharon T Sekellick

Trischman Family Foundation

ZN Construction and Contracting LLC

Mark M Crowley

American Legion Sidlecki Post #187

Bruce and Donna Kosa

Cecelia and Leo Roberge

Connecticut Valley Crematory

Simsbury High School

Smash Avenue

Summer Knights Classic Car Club Inc

The Alexander M & Catherine Maus Wright Charitable Trust

 

 

 

 

Directors Circle (Contributions of $500 to $999)

Local Independent Charities of America

Cub Scout Pack #475

Rockville United Methodist Church

Lions Club of Tolland

Elizabeth Szuba

Gary Thorstenson

Lee Lukas

Ralph Dodd

Brian Sabia

Daniel Henderson

Davis Massaro

James H Davis

Kiernan Daly

Rich Sklenka

Transfer Enterprises, Inc

Bichop J Nawrot

Hartford Lodge #19 BPOE

James F Mullen

Paul E McCollam

Robert and Leslie Schmidt

Shepard B Stone

Siracusa Moving & Storage Service Co

Thomas P Thomas

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3272

 

Leaders Circle (Contributions of $250 to $499)

Mary Conklin

CT Military Vehicle Collectors Inc

Gary Ottenbreit

Thaddeus J Martin

Warrant Officer Cohort - CT National Guard

Joseph A Poland

Michael Falk

Daniel McHale

Douglas Paley

George Brown

Mark Hayden

Michael Dutko

Susan Tesoriero

Thomas Marchetto

Victor Baber

Laura Solano Evon

Stanley P Syman

American Legion Post #17

Association of the United States Army - CT Chapter

Connecticut Society of Santas

Davis Auctions Inc

Ethan Goldman

JHD Corporation

Joan Tarrant

Wethersfield Chapter of UNICO National

 

Patrons Circle (Contributions of $100 to $249)

American Online Giving Foundation Inc

Edward A Englehardt Jr

Joan Treadow

Mattatuck Industrial Scrap Metal, Inc

Michael T Dorsey

Peter E Tatalias

Richard A Reed

Rosa Puntillo

Rosa Wilfinger

Sullivan & Leshane, Inc

Toby Goldschneider

Robert E Knowlden

Network for Good

Tammy M Foular

Dawn Works-Dennis

Eddie Bonafe

Jeffrey Griffin

Jeffrey Wiesner

Matthew Marks

Peter Doria

Ryan Hinton

Michael Sipples

Amy Mish

Arthur Fredericks

Christopher Evans

David Arundel

David Chartier

Dewayne Woods

Eric Gagnon

James A French

John J Lill

Joseph Sevigny

Larry Fitzgerald

Mary R Rell

Matthew Marcella

Michael Cardozo

Nancy L Strawderman

Scott McLaughlin

Sonja Smilinich

Tim Seery

William S Warner

Maureen Carpenter

Rona C Lynch

Timothy E Reilly

American Legion Auxiliary Unit #176

American Legion Auxiliary Unit #52

American Legion Post #141

American Legion Post #54

Anthony Cefalogi

Arlene Paterwic

Beverly B Tate

Big Sky

Bonnie B Rice

Carl A Rapacz

Carole M Savitsky

Catherine Carignan

Catherine Daly

Catherine H Connor

Christine L Sledge

Connecticut Strategy Group, LLC

Daniel A Diguilio

David Connole

Duane I Haverstock

Elaine Dinto

George Gonsalves

James E Brooks Sr

Jeanne M Raccio

John C Bailey

John and Claudia Godburn

John J Anzidei

John J Zoni

John T Wiltse

Kevin E Hughes

Kristi K Gafford

Linda R Arbesman

Lisa Sgamboti

Lois C Clede

Mary Beth Derynioski

Marylou T Savoy

Moira and Douglas Jones

Honorable Nancy S Wyman

Nora Okeefe

Norman N Fierravanti

Pamela Bianca

Peter H O'Meara

Raymond P Zastaury, Jr

Richard L Boritz

Richard W Miller

Robert A Egan

Robert A Smith

Robert Ranellone

Ronald Osella

Steven D Staugaitis

Teal King

Timothy F Pagnam

William J Skowronski

 

Sustainers (Contributions of $50 to $99)

Amazon Smile

American Legion Auxiliary Unit #105

American Legion Auxillary Post #111

Angela M Sinicrope

Arthur G Paul III

B J Converse

Bernice L Wright

Dorian M Taylor

Elizabeth A Lofquist

Frank Martorelli

Frederick R Press

Gayle S Juliani

Irene A Kennedy

James Baldoni

Janet and Joe Stewart

Janyce S Winninger

Jean F Letendre

JIm Seichter

Joan E Lane

John Ambrozaitis Jr

John M Pensiero

John V Rondano

John W Horan

Joseph V Girardini

Kenneth Dixon

Linda M Stewart

Linnea H Golubchik

Maria T Bruks

Marilyn M Wyman

Michael J Hargrove

Pamela Townsend

Patricia Jacques

Paul J Diorio

Philip T Newbury

Pue, Chick, Leibowitz & Blezard, LLC

Richard F Ferrari

Robert J Lagasse

Robert J Samperi

Robert Stavinsky

Shaughnessy Banks Funeral Home

Terry J Fagan

Theodore A Samolik

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6123

Virginia W Scheller

William J Robbins

Zoe A Carrozzella

 

Supporters (Contributions of $49 and under)

Leonard J Francis

Linda A Rolstone

Alexander Fatone

Edward N Deni

Ellen Ann Mandelberg

Erica Blackmon

Kimberly Debaise

Ulrick Brice

Valerie L Serry

Carol Ann Christoffers

Margaret N McDonald

Bradford B Palmer

Charles B Stone

Elizabeth A Peatt

Michelle McCarty

Patricia M Beloff

Aimee Critchley

Alan A Malizia

Ann M Feeley

Anthony D Martino

Anthony J Napoleon

Arnold F Joseph

Bonita Finkelday

Brian M Noble

Catherine M Conlin

Charles T Nichols

Colin T Swales

Cynthia M Lewis

David R Antone

Dominic J Alegi Jr

Elizabeth W Crayton

John Larensen

John S. Andrulonis

Joseph J Crowley

Joseph M Davis

Kenneth O'Connor

Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7788

Lisa M Ciccone

Patricia G Sarasin

Paul A Vozzella

Paul Summers

Robert Doyle Finan

Robert Salka

Sharon N Eaton

Tami W Zawistowski

Ted C Graziani

Verne Marie Kozak

Vincent LLinares

William A O'Rourke

William E Sheedy Jr

Alex Seretny

Benjamin Beaudry

Charlene L Johnson

Chris Mackenzie

Daniel Taylor

David Gauthier

David H Larson

Elizabeth Turner

Heather Dziewaltowski

Henry Bankowski

James G Ashwell

Janae Grant

Jeffrey Lapierre

Jo Ann Cap

Joseph Roden

Karen Berry

Katy Pietrasz

Laura E Sheridan

Linda Cunha

Liza Pena

Christopher Coutu

Mary Ann Whitney

May B Toscano

Michael Martinez

Rich Timberlake

Richard J Olson 

Robert J Sampl

Scott R Bernier

Stephan Nowakowski

Theresa A Looke

Thomas W Donnelly

Victor P Dufault

William Blake

Chris Verrastro

Lesha-Ann McIntosh

Matthew Barringer

Youcef Del Rosario

Lee De Marzo

Mary E Andrea

Susan Maturo

Luke Powers

Mona Copeland

Sanjay Baldie

Jean Rioux

Joseph Sigda

Peter R Hyde

Richard L Sawitzke

Dawn M Diani

Bernard T Rooney Jr

Michael Murphy

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