Community Foundation Salutes Long-time Volunteers

(February 20, 2010) - While there are many facets to a community foundation which make it work   one of its most essential elements is the strength and dedication of its volunteers. To illustrate that, our Board of Directors took time in January to thank the Foundation’s many active supporters at a special New Year’s Volunteer Reception at The Foundation Center. Attended by more than 50 Board & committee members and their guests, the crowd celebrated the Foundation’s most outstanding 2009 accomplishments, including record levels in New Gifts ($5.1 Million), New Funds (15) and giving to the Annual Partners in Philanthropy Campaign (Up 16.5%), and the important role volunteers played in making those possible.  The evening’s highlight, however, was the Foundation’s recognition of two Directors who will be retiring from their Board positions later this spring, Andy Meade (left) and Rev. Hugh Penney (right, above).

Andy, a native of Southington, raised his family and built a highly successful business, Lori Locke, in his hometown. Since his election to the Community Foundation Board in 2002, Andy has served as Board Vice-Chair and at various times as an active member of the Development, Audit, and Celebrate Southington! Committees. He and his wife Fran are members of our Beehive Society and have been generous contributors to our Partners in Philanthropy campaign for almost a decade. Long a believer in giving back, the Community Foundation has not been Andy’s only volunteer commitment. He has a long record of service with the Southington Town Council, various public commissions, and numerous local organizations such as the Southington YMCA. The recipient of many local honors and accolades, Andy may be most proud of his membership in the Inaugural Class of the Southington High School Wall of Fame, where many of his varsity baseball records still stand!

Rev. Hugh Penney is Minister Emeritus of South Congregational Church in New Britain. He joined the Community Foundation Board of Directors in 1999 and has since served on practically every Foundation committee, including the Executive, Governance, Celebrate! Awards, and most recently, the Building Committee. Like most on our Board, Hugh’s community service ties go far beyond the Foundation. He admits to serving on another 12 local nonprofit boards, including the New Britain Museum of American Art and Friendship Service Center to name just two. In addition to his Foundation involvement, Hugh and his wife Lois are both members of our Beehive Society, have been generous Partners in Philanthropy donors, and are supporters of the Foundation’s Pooled Income Fund program.

We thank both Andy and Hugh for their tireless service to the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain.