Bearingstar Charitable Fund — A Year In Review 2021
We are incredibly proud of the impact the Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund (BICF) has made for the many people and communities that we serve in 2021. Over the course of the year, BICF has made charitable donations to over 60 amazing nonprofit organizations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. This support is achieved through the Community Gift Program of the Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund; a division of the Arbella Insurance Charitable Foundation, Inc. Donations made by the BICF are by invitation only.
Bearingstar Insurance Employees are passionate about helping the communities we work and live in. Many still faced so many challenges this year with the pandemic, and we felt even more of a drive than ever to help as many as we could. The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund enables us to support those in need while making a lasting impact across both CT and MA. — Jennifer Lajoie, coordinator of the BICF in Connecticut.
Read more about some of the phenomenal organizations the BICF had the opportunity to support in 2021. Thank you to our Bearingstar employees for volunteering and supporting such great causes.
Ädelbrook
Ädelbrook offers the most comprehensive individualized plans to help each person reach their full potential in the least restrictive environment. They offer the promise of a future filled with achievement, happiness and hope. The BICF donated $1,000 to help them continue providing excellent education by exceptional teachers who engage each individual as they pave a path toward graduation and adult living.
The Alex Fisher Foundation
The Alex Fisher Foundation educates parents and teens about the harmful effects of drug abuse. The BICF was pleased to present them with a $2,000 check to support their work.
ALS Association
The ALS Association collaborates with some of the best ALS physicians and clinics across the United States to help ensure that people living with ALS have access to specialized care, based on best practices.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
Amy’s Angels
The Bearingstar Charitable Fund was proud to support Amy’s Angels. They are a grass roots, 501(c)(3) organization that provides comprehensive short and long term assistance to individuals and their families dealing with the debilitating effects of serious illness or injury. Our angels deliver a host of services through volunteerism, social fundraising events and charitable donations. We help people focus on their recuperation rather than their financial struggles, so they can get back on their feet – back to living a healthy and productive life.
Ataxia
The National Ataxia Foundation is a membership supported nonprofit organization established in 1957 to help persons with Ataxia and their families. The Foundation’s primary purpose is to support Ataxia research, provide vital programs and services for Ataxia families, and help in the search for a cure. NAF is the only organization in the United States dedicated to the disease that serves all types of Ataxia. NAF works closely with the world’s leading Ataxia researchers, promoting exchanges of ideas and innovation in Ataxia discovery.
Berkshire County/Paul Dowd/Jimmy Fund
The Jimmy Fund, established in Boston in 1948, is comprised of community-based fundraising events and other programs that, solely and directly, benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults. The generosity of millions of people in Boston and around the world has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide.
Birthday Wishes
We were so happy to be able to support Birthday Wishes at their Annual CakeWalk held in May at Lasell College in Newton. Birthday Wishes’ mission is to ensure that children impacted by homelessness in MA, RI, NH, and Long Island are able to celebrate their birthdays. Every step taken as well as every dollar raised by walkers goes towards this goal!
Boston Bulldogs
The Boston Bulldogs Running Club is a co-ed 501(c)3 non-profit club established to provide an anonymous and safe community of support for all those adversely affected by addiction – those in recovery, their families and friends, the clinical community and the community at large.
Cancer House of Hope
We had the pleasure to support Cancer House of Hope, an organization committed to providing free access to services and therapies that bring care, comfort, strength, and most importantly, hope.
Cakes 4 Kids
In a world where the basics of a positive childhood are often out of reach and youth have little to call their own, the seemingly simple gift of a birthday cake can make a huge impact by raising their self-esteem and confidence. Cakes 4 Kids bakes and delivers free birthday cakes for underserved children who might not otherwise receive one.
Christmas Wish Connecticut
The BICF was proud to support Christmas Wish CT with a $5,000 donation. Christmas Wish CT gives back to the CT community all year long with special emphasis on the holiday season.
Community Autism Resources
Community Autism Resources is a family created and oriented community services organization. They have a continued focus on assisting and educating families and professionals so that they can better meet the needs of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Community Giving Tree
The mission of The Community Giving Tree is to provide low income families with basic necessities such as clothing, diapers, and baby equipment. We were pleased to give a donation that will be used to help children grow and thrive.
Cops for Kids with Cancer
Cops for Kids with Cancer began as a golf rivalry between Captain Dow’s Boston Police team and members of Ireland’s Garda Siochana, led by Detective Pat Hanlon. That small group determined that the event should raise funds to be donated to a local hospital, specifically to help children with cancer.
Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fights for those affected by diabetes. Their mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
Down Syndrome Association of CT
Bearingstar was proud to present the incredible Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut with a $1,000 check. Their mission is to celebrate individuals living with down syndrome.
Exchange Club of Stamford
The Exchange Club of Stamford is about people helping people in the belief that hope for tomorrow happens today. They are about giving back a little of ourselves to our community, growing within ourselves through efforts to help others, and developing close personal relationships with newly found friends.
Fall River Recreation
Greater Fall River RE-CREATION is a non-profit recreation and prevention based organization serving the Greater Fall River community, including the Fall River, Swansea, and Somerset areas. Since their doors opened in 1971, they’ve been providing diverse programs and unique opportunities to the community, focusing on socioeconomically disadvantaged children.
Fisco
FISCO or the Friends of Indian Senior Citizens Organization, seeks to bring together and assist elders in the South Asian community. They offer support and friendship to elders who have already sacrificed a huge part of their lives to nurture their families.
Foodshare
Founded in 1982, Foodshare is the regional food bank serving Connecticut’s Hartford and Tolland counties, where more than 119,000 people struggle with hunger. Foodshare is a member of the national organization Feeding America, along with more than 200 other food banks nationally. In partnership with the food industry, donors, community leaders and volunteers, Foodshare works to maximize access to nutritious food and other resources that support food security.
Guardians of the Flame Golf Tournament
The Guardians of the Flame Golf Tournament is an event to benefit the Special Olympics of Connecticut. The BICF presented them with a $500 check in Ledyard, CT.
Gnome Surf
Gnome Surf Therapy is an organization focused on creating a culture shift towards happiness, kindness, love, and acceptance for all kids of all abilities regardless of socio-economic status. They accomplish this by providing life-changing surf therapy, art therapy, yoga, and eco-therapy experiences.
Great Hartford Probus Club
Probus Greater Hartford strives to improve the quality of life of people with intellectual and physical challenges. Their activities promote socialization and integration into the mainstream culture of our community.
Greenlock Therapeutic
Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center has been improving the quality of life and health for thousands of children and adults with special needs in the Southeastern MA and Rhode Island area by providing professionally supervised, equine-assisted activities and therapies.
GrowHope Foundation
The GrowHope Foundation works in partnership with the Brockton Public Schools to provide support to children and families in need within the school district and to help promote the Brockton Kids Count Advocacy Campaign.
Hands on Hartford
Hands On Hartford, in partnership with others, strengthens the community in Hartford by responding faithfully to people in need through programs that change lives and renew human possibility. The BICF was pleased to donate $500 to support their work.
Healing Hearts Holistically
The BICF made a $1,500 donation to Healing Hearts Holistically, an organization whose mission is to do community wide education on Heart disease and living a healthy lifestyle.
Home for the Brave
Bearingstar was pleased to present a $3,000 donation to ABRI/Homes for the Brave. Since opening their doors in 2002, they have provided housing, vocational training, and life skills coaching to help individuals leave homelessness behind.
Hope Beyond Hope
Hope Beyond Hope Sober Living in Weymouth, MA is owned and operated by recovered alcoholics. They have over 30 years of combined recovery and believe in being active members of the addiction recovery community. Their primary purpose is to help establish residents back into mainstream living as responsible, self-supporting, productive members of society.
Horizons
The Bearingstar Charitable Fund was proud to present a BICF $1,000 donation to Horizons – Camp Horizons. Horizons is a local non-profit that families trust for special needs assistance in Windham.
I Found a Light Against All Odds
I Found Light Against All Odds is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping today’s youth address social, emotional, and economic issues that they are experiencing in their lives. They are a resource to those that are going through difficult times and provide them with guidance. They truly feel that WE can make a difference in the lives of our youth that do not see the light.
Joe Andruzzi Foundation
The Joe Andruzzi Foundation is committed to providing assistance to patients of all ages throughout New England who have fallen on financial hardships as a result of a cancer diagnosis. Joe Andruzzi is a former New England Patriot and 3X Super Bowl Champ who completed cancer treatment in 2007 at Dana Farber. The BICF presented a donation to the Joe Andruzzi Foundation to help support cancer research.
Junior Achievement
At Junior Achievement, they are dedicated to providing a positive, enriching learning experience free of bias that promotes greater economic opportunity and equity. Junior Achievement welcomes K-12 students, volunteers, educators, staff, and other partners and stakeholders, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other legally protected characteristic.
Kids of Summer
The BICF was thrilled to donate $1,875 to The Kids of Summer Foundation in Bloomfield, CT. The mission of the Kids of Summer Foundation is to provide opportunities to young people to participate in recreational activities that may otherwise be financially unavailable to them.
Lazarus House
We were pleased to present Lazarus House Ministries a BICF donation. The Lazarus House in Lawrence, opened its doors as an emergency homeless shelter in 1983. They have been breaking the cycle of poverty in the Merrimack Valley Region ever since.
Literacy Volunteers for Greater Waterbury
A donation was made to Literacy Volunteers of Greater Waterbury. Literacy Volunteers of Greater Waterbury’s trains volunteers and community partners to help improve all lives through literacy by cultivating educational opportunities for adults.
MADD
Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. Bearingstar was proud to make a $1,000 donation to support their work.
Milford Fire Department
The Milford Fire Department is a well-equipped, full service fire department providing fire and emergency medical services to the citizens of Milford, MA. serving a population of 30,000 across 15 square miles from two stations ( 21 Birch Street and 1 Spruce Street).
Operation Backpack
Operation Backpack – Helping Kids in Need Succeed, raised close to 400 backpacks for the families of Lena Park Community Center, Volunteers of America Massachusetts, and the surrounding communities. The BICF made a $500 donation to help support their work.
Our Heroes Fund
Jennifer Lajoie presented a $1,000 BICF donation to the Our Heroes Fund. Our Heroes Fund is a nonprofit organization that aims to promote activities that assist in the health, welfare, and operational capabilities of first responders. They do this by providing educational and training activities that improve professional proficiencies while advancing and honoring the service and sacrifice of these first responders.
Perception Programs
Perception Programs is part of The Storrs Behavioral Health Center (BHC) which offers individual, couples, and family therapy. Services offered include mindfulness meditation, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and medication management.
PJT Foundation
The PJT Memorial Foundation serves as an eternal tribute to the life of Paul Jacob (PJ) Trendowicz. PJ passed away in a tragic swimming accident on August 13th, 2002. By raising and distributing charitable funds, the PJT Memorial Foundation seeks to support those charities whose missions coincide with Paul’s commitment to community service, youth outreach, and local community sports. The BICF was honored to make a donation to honor PJ’s legacy.
Power of the Purse
The United Way’s Power of the Purse is funding an initiative to distribute K-Packs to children whose education has been disrupted by COVID.
Reading Food Pantry
The non-profit Reading Food Pantry, established in 1983, is a collaboration among all members of the Reading Clergy Association, and provides food assistance to families who live in Reading, Mass. They currently serve 120+ households across town, operating out of Old South United Methodist Church.
The Fairfield Rotary Club
The focus of The Fairfield Rotary Club is to encourage and foster the ideal of Service Above Self. The BICF presented them with a $2,500 donation to help them continue their work to make our communities, and our world, a better place by being people of action.
Sahlei
Saheli’s vision is a world free of violence against women. Their mission is to empower South Asian and Arab women and families to lead safe and healthy lives. Saheli offers non-judgmental culturally sensitive services to domestic and sexual violence survivors from South Asia and the Middle East.
Save A Suit
Each year, more than 200,000 veterans return home. Eight out of ten of those returning vets don’t have a job lined up. Our BICF made a $1,000 donation to Save A Suit, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides veterans and military spouses/families with the confidence they need to achieve job security through professional attire.
Soroptimist of Willimantic, CT
Soroptimist of Willimantic, CT is a global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
Special Olympics
Bearingstar Insurance Consultant Jennifer Lajoie presented the Special Olympics Connecticut with a $25,000 check at Dunkin’ Donuts Stadium. This is the 7th year that Bearingstar has had the pleasure of supporting this organization.
Steeple Chase Bike Tour
Michelle L Lamotte was proud to present a BICF donation with Dan Gerwien, Director of HR & Quality for Perception Programs, Inc. to support the Steeple Chase Bike Tour. This charity ride raises money for three critical Windham County social service agencies, whose mission is to help shelter the homeless, offer a path to recovery for people with addiction and mental illness, and provide basic needs from clothing to heat for under-resourced individuals and families.
The Umbrella Club
The Umbrella Club is a Stamford-based charity of 50 volunteers from all walks of life lending their time & expertise to raising money, running events, and identifying the recipients Umbrella Club serves in Fairfield County.
UNICO
The UNICO Foundation Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. The purpose of the Foundation is to receive, accept and make gifts, donations, grants, award scholarships, fellowships and the like for charitable, educational, literary and religious purposes.
The Women’s Center
The Women’s Center is the premier domestic violence, rape crisis center and child trauma program in the South coast area of Massachusetts.
We Believe Academy
The BICF was pleased to present the We Believe Academy with a $1,000 check. We Believe Academy is providing student-athletes with the opportunity to compete at a national prep school level while receiving pro skill development. Student- athletes will have full academic support.
We Do Care – Grief & Loss Support
The primary purpose of We Do Care is to provide a place where people can get together with others going through the same thing they are. They are a community of individuals who have experienced loss, serving young widows, widowers and children who have lost a parent.
Weston Kids Baseball/Softball
The BICF was happy to support The Weston Kids Baseball and Softball little league teams with a $500 donation.
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