SARAH-Fondation | Making Independence Possible

LONGSHORE PROMOTION IN BACK
FOR THE FALL!

Valerie Yaggi, SARAH Special Events Coordinator; Lynn Curtis, Guilford GEA; Linda Vigorito, President SARAH Foundation Board

Guilford Education Association raises $27,000 for the SARAH Foundation

Each year the Guilford Education (GEA), the local arm of the Connecticut Education Association, holds a read-a-thon throughout the Guilford Elementary and Middle Schools in conjunction with the “Read-Across-America Campaign.” The students read books and get sponsors for how many pages or books that they read. The GEA’s mission is “Advocating for Students, Teachers and Public Education.” To inspire their students to read, the GEA awards prizes such as school supplies and gift certificates at local book stores. Prizes are awarded for participation as well as for how many pages or books were read. The theme of the read-a-thon was “Be a Hero for SARAH.” This year, the winner from each school got to attend the SARAH Annual Gala at the Woodwinds in Branford and received an award from speaker and UCONN Men’s Basketball Coach, Jim Calhoun. The students raised over $27,000, and the GEA donated the funds to the SARAH Foundation for their award-winning programs for people with intellectual disabilities. This was nearly a $5,000 increase over last year, and helped carry out SARAH’s mission “that people with disabilities deserve to experience life’s joys; learn, work and accomplish all they can; and participate as valued members of the community.” SARAH is a family of agencies that provides programs and services for people with intellectual and other disabilities who live in Connecticut. For more information visit www.sarahfoundation.org

"From Hops to Hope” was the name of the first annual Madison Wine Exchange’s Beer Festival held this year at the Deacon John Grave House in Madison, CT, on July 24th to honor SARAH. Over 1,000 people attended the event which included booths from nearly 50 beer distributors, with food provided by Pasta Avest, music presented by three different bands, and a live and silent auction. Already known as the biggest beer festival in Connecticut, Madison Wine Exchange hopes to make it even bigger next year.

Over $5,000 was raised for SARAH! Photographed are Ted Satinsky, General Manager Madison Wine Exchange; Valerie Yaggi, Special Events Coordinator of the SARAH Foundation, and Nick DeSena, Resident Beer Authority at the Madison Wine Exchange.

Adams Middle School Junior National Honor Raises over $850 for SARAH

The members of the Adams Middle School Junior Honor Society prepared and wrapped carnations for their annual sale to benefit the SARAH Foundation. The students purchased the flowers and sent them to other students at the school. The Junior Honor Society has raised thousands of dollars to support SARAH’s Family of Agencies that provides programs and services for people with intellectual and other disabilities who live in Connecticut.

Pictured above are Kate Clancy, recording secretary; Olivia Watrous, President; and Emily Limoncelli, Vice President of the National Junior Honor Society. Not pictured are Derek Longhini, corresponding secretary; and Katrina Niedziela, Treasurer.

After learning about SARAH from a presentation at Brown Middle school, Madison Girl Scout troop 005 took it upon themselves to brighten the lives of others by preparing beautiful floral centerpieces for the SARAH participants at the SARAH Enrichment Center.

Pictured are left to right, Perris Giorgio, Rachael Parthsarthy, Abby Edgecumbe, Sara Nye, Gianna Catalano, Kylie Gargiulo and Genevieve Garceau. Not pictured are Mary and Lily Arida and Kate Henneberry who also helped.