2022 Annual Appeal

 

Dear Friends of the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc,

 

I have BIG NEWS for you.  Your donations to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc, are helping support Connecticut service members and their families, who are struggling with financial insecurity.  

Every day, more generous people, like you – from around Connecticut, and beyond – are making a difference in the lives of our soldiers, airmen and their families.  For many of these service members, it’s because generous donors have come together to support the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc for decades.  

Many of our service members who are struggling find it hard to ask for help.  The mindset and culture within the military community is to “tough it out” and things will work themselves out.  But this is not always the case, especially for those members who have young families.  They cannot afford to ignore their problems when they have spouses and children, they are responsible for.  Your donations will help us help them.

Will you join our family of donors, so we can continue to support and help these families in crisis?  Your gift today of $25, $50, $100 or $1,000, helps us continue in our mission of providing financial assistance to our military members and families.  

In the past two years, the financial impact of the pandemic and multiple overseas deployments, has led to an enormous increase of requests for help, and depletion of our unrestricted funds.   We are asking you to help us build it back up. 

            Unrestricted funds are critical because they go wherever the need is the greatest.  For example, unrestricted funds can provide assistance with weekly care and emergency relief (including food & clothing); paying rent, mortgage interest and utilities; medical expenses and some dental expenses; eye examination and eye glasses; audiological examination and hearing aids; funeral expenses; home health care; yearly scholarships. 

This is why I hope you will continue to help our service members and their families with a gift to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.  When you do, you are making a difference in the lives of our soldiers and airman.

We take seriously our obligation to ensure your donations are used wisely. Our grants are not a “free ride”, given to just anyone who has a story.  We thoroughly screen all applications to ensure that the money you donate, goes to those who most deserve it.  Oftentimes we find that there are other agencies and programs, whether they be federal, state or non-profit, that can better serve our members in need.  Only when these applicants have fully exhausted all other programs, do we commit your donations – we are the charity of last resort.  

I hope you will continue your support of the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc by making a tax-deductible donation during this year’s annual appeal.  I know there are many worthy charities, and I want to thank you for continuing to support us, and the service members and families we support. 

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.  Won’t you please consider making a donation to the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc?  Contributions can be made by check, credit card, PayPal, and now 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.  

With your gift today, no matter how large or small, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your donation will help those most in need.  

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,

 

Christopher Mackenzie

Chief Warrant Officer Four (Retired)

President

 

 

Scholarships awarded for the 2021-2022 academic year

The Connecticut National Guard Foundation Inc Announces 

Scholarship Recipients for 2021 - 2022 Academic Year 

 The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc is pleased to announce it has awarded scholarships to the following recipients for the 2021-2022 academic year.

BLUM, Amie:  Amie is a member of the JFHQ, enlisting in the CTARNG in February, 2004, soon after graduating high school.  She lives in Middletown, CT and is a full-time CTNG employee at the Human Resources Office.  She is a 2014 graduate of the University of New Haven, earning a BS degree in Criminal Justice.  She is furthering her education by attending the University of Connecticut, School of Business Human Resource Management Graduate Program. 

DOUGALL, Treasa:  Treasa is the daughter of LTC Nathan Dougall, HHC 143d CSSB, CTARNG.  Treasa lives in Easton, CT and is a 2020 graduate of Joel Barlow High School.  Treasa is returning to Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences with a minor in psychology.  Her ultimate goal is to attend medical school and become a pediatrician.  

SHETLAND, Gwyneth:  Gwyneth is the daughter of CPT(Ret) Andrew Shetland, HHD, 1109th TASMG, CTARNG.  She lives in Mansfield, CT and is a 2021 graduate of Griswold High School.   She is attending the University of Connecticut working on a major in animal sciences, with a pre-veterinarian track.  Once she completes her undergraduate studies, her goal is to attend graduate school, specializing in equine veterinary medicine.

STRONG, Tyler:   Tyler is the son of LTC Christopher Strong, HHD 1st Battalion 169th Leadership Regiment, CTARNG.  He lives in Southington, CT and is a 2019 graduate of Southington High School, Southington CT.  Tyler is returning to the University of Connecticut, pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

SWANSON, Abigail:   Abigail is the daughter of LTC(Ret) Jacqueline K. Cyr, formerly with the 169th Leadership Regiment, CTARNG.   Abigail is a 2018 graduate of Wheelock College, Boston, MA, with a Bachelor of Social Work, awarded Cum Laude.  She served in the Peace Corps, serving as a Youth Specialist in the Central American nation of Guatemala, from September 2018 to March 2020.  Abigail is currently enrolled at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, in the Master of Social Work Program. 

TOZIER, Sarah:   Sarah is the daughter of CW4(Ret) David W. Tozier, formerly with the 1109th TASMG, CTARNG.  She lives in East Haddam, CT and is a 2021 graduate of Nathan Hale Ray High School, Moodus, CT.  She plans to further her education by attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, focusing on obtaining a bachelor’s degree in engineering, with a minor in business.   

WHELAN, Chalan:   is the daughter of SMSgt Dawn Whelan, 103d Mission Support Group, CTANG.  She lives in Stafford Springs, CT.  She is a Dean’s List student, currently attending Springfield College, Springfield, MA.  She is returning to Springfield College, pursuing a degree in the Health Science Pre-Physician Assistant Program, ultimately earning a Master’s Degree as a Physician Assistant.  

SGT Felix M. Del Greco, Jr Memorial Scholarship(s)

RICARD, Zachary:   Zachary is the son of SFC Michael Ricard, HHC 192d Engineer, CTARNG.  Zachary is attending the Culinary Institute of America.  

THOMPSON, Zachary:   Zachary is the son of LTC Paul Thompson, JFHQ, CTARNG.  Zachary is attending Syracuse University.