2024 Annual Appeal

  

November 1, 2024 

 

Dear Friends of the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc, 

 

            This has been a year of excitement as the Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc (CTNGFI), celebrates our twenty-first anniversary!  As we reflect on twenty-one years of service, we are grateful for the enduring support of generous people like you who have made a profound difference in the lives of our service members and their families.   We celebrate the remarkable achievements made possible by the collective generosity and commitment of donors, partners, and friends like you who play a critical role in addressing the pressing needs of our service members, and supporting our initiatives and programs.  

            As we embrace our history, we also cast our gaze forward with a renewed sense of purpose and ambition for meeting our service members and family’s needs. Today I ask you to again join us in making a lasting impact by supporting our work and contributing what you can. 

            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, medical expenses and funeral expenses. 

            I’m not entirely sure why, but this year we have seen a marked increase in assistance requests.  To date, we have awarded $75,000 in assistance grants, with two months remaining in the year. Additionally, we have awarded $24,500 in post-secondary scholarships.  I fully expect this increasing trend to continue. 

The past few years, the Connecticut National Guard saw fewer numbers of servicemembers deployed, but this is about to change.  Over the next two years, more than 1,000 servicemembers are expected to deploy.  They will be supporting missions in such countries and locations as the Middle East and Europe. 

Past experience has shown us that many of our deployed servicemembers and their families struggle financially during these deployments.  With deployments on the rise, we fear this demand for help, will not only continue, but will increase.  We need your help.

            Yes, it is truly amazing the difference you can make today.  By reaching out with your charitable donation, you will be supporting our mission of providing financial hands-on solutions to our struggling service members and their families.             

But direct financial assistance is not all that your donation will support.  Operation ELF, Adopt-a-Military Family, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, and Post Secondary Scholarships are also funded by your generous donations.  These vital programs provide relief and happiness to military families who may be struggling with the pain of deployment separation, loss of employment and income, or how to pay for the escalating costs of higher education.  

Your donation, no matter how large or small, could be the lifeline to our military families and service members who have no where 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 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 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.  

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

 

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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Scholarships awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year

The Connecticut National Guard Foundation Inc Announces  

Scholarship Recipients for 2024 – 2025 Academic Year

 

The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc is pleased to announce it has awarded scholarships to the following recipients for the 2024-2025 academic year.

 

Benalcazar, Natalie:  PFC Natalie Benalcazar is a member of the 1048th Transportation Company, CT Army National Guard. She lives in Danbury, CT and is a 2023 graduate of Danbury High School.  She is a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing.  Her career goals include a career in nursing and rehabilitation, with her ultimate goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.     

 

Garcia, Joseph:  Joseph is a SPC in the 141st Ambulance Company, CT Army National Guard. He lives in Stamford, CT. Joseph is a 2023 graduate of the University of Connecticut, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences.  He is currently attending Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine.  His ultimate goal is to serve in underrepresented communities as an Emergency Medicine Physician.  

 

Moffat, Paige:  Paige is the daughter of  SFC(Retired) Reisha Moffat, former member of the CT Army National Guard.  Paige lives in Washington, DC and is a 2023 graduate of The College of the Holy Cross, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in International and Chinese Studies. She has been accepted into Georgetown University for her master’s degree, allowing her to pursue her dream of further studies and her passion on internation affairs, with a focus on US-China relations and policymaking.     

 

O’Neill, Katherine:  Katherine is the daughter of COL(Retired) Vincent O’Neill, former member of the CT Army National Guard.  Katherine lives in North Granby, CT and is a 2025 graduate of Granby Memorial High School.   This Fall she will be attending the University of Connecticut, majoring in Physiology and Neurobiology, with her long-term goal of becoming a doctor. 

 

SNOW, Oliver:   Oliver is the son of LTC(Retired) Kristen Snow, formerly with the 103rd Air Wing, CT Air National Guard.  Oliver lives in Clinton, CT and is a 2025 graduate of Xavier High School, Middletown, CT.  This Fall he will be attending The Ohio State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy.  His long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. in astronomy, with a focus on radio astronomy.  

 

Sullivan, Aiden:  Aiden is the son of MAJ Benjamin Sullivan, HHD 118th Medical Battalion, CT Army National Guard.  He lives in East Hampton, CT, and is a 2025 graduate of East Hampton High School.  This Fall he will be attending Purdue University, studying to expand and broaden his knowledge of engineering technology. 

 

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

The purpose of the SGT Felix M. Del Greco, Jr. Scholarship is to honor SGT Del Greco’s memory by awarding annual scholarship(s) to children of Connecticut Army National Guard members who are attending an accredited undergraduate degree program.  

 

Baldoni, Riley  from Cheshire, CT is attending Providence College. 

 

Rodriguez, Madison  from Canton, CT is attending Keene State College. 

 

Sullivan, Aiden  from East Hampton, CT is attending Purdue University.  

 

Thomas, Shamira  from East Hartford, CT is attending Fordham University – Rose Hill.