Their Vision Fund was inspired by Kathryn C. Reinhard, Peter Veronneau, and Stuart S. Estra.

Kathryn C. Reinhard's first involvement with community service and volunteerism started in her youth. She was born in Southington to a family who believed in their community and doing what it takes to help those in need. She is the eldest of five children (Mary, Joseph Jr., Christopher and Margaret) of the late Joseph and Kathryn Calvanese. She and her husband Edward Reinhard have two children, Mary and Edward Jr., and two grandchildren, Colin and Tyler.

While attending St. Paul’s Catholic High School, Kathy became a member of the Mission Club. The club raised money for various causes and provided mentoring services for younger school children. Kathy soon began teaching religious education classes at Mary Our Queen Church, an endeavor that would continue for thirty years.

Kathy was active in the South End School PTA for seven years, the Halloween socials, book fairs, holiday fairs and the Santa’s Secret Workshop. She was a girl scout leader and helped coordinate the volunteers and marching band representatives for the Special Olympics World Games held in New Haven.

Kathy is on the Board of Directors of the Joe & Kay Calvanese Foundation and serves as their secretary/treasurer. The foundation has distributed over one million dollars to non-profit agencies in the town of Southington in the past ten years. Kathy is active in the foundations’s annual fundraisers, such as The Gala, Leading Ladies and the golf tournament. Kathy is an incorporator and member of the Board of Directors of Apple Valley Bank.

Kathy has served on the YMCA and Bread For Life boards. She volunteers at Southington Community Services, for the Southington Salvation Army and has helped change their holiday programs to better serve residents. Kathy continues to come back every year to make sure the needs are being met. Kathy was also influential in bringing the “Duck Race” to Southington, giving the opportunity for non-profit agencies to raise funds each year.

Kathy worked with Stuart Estra and was instrumental in the “Trails Day” event and the Childrens entertainment series. 


Peter Veronneau - Who is this guy with his suspenders, cap and beard?? Peter grew up in Meriden, Connecticut, the middle child of seven children. Peter’s mom and dad, Bernice and Henry, saw that all seven children grew into successful, caring, responsible adults. 

Peter attended Catholic grammar school from kindergarten to eighth grade and was an altar boy during those years. He tells stories of sneaking the wine when the priests weren’t looking, and how he especially looked forward to the tips they would get for weddings and funerals.

During high school, Pete was a hippie. No suspenders or beard yet, just jeans, flannel shirts, hiking boots, a ponytail and those huge 70’s sideburns. He could always be found in the woodshop at school. 

After high school, Peter found the perfect career as a pattern maker. He started as an apprentice and became a master patternmaker. In 1977 he married Nancy Rich. The honeymoon was a six-week camping trip across the country. 

Pete’s woodworking skills came in handy when they bought a 200-year-old story-and-a-half farmhouse. Thirty years later, the home is now a showcase of his talent and work. All the woodwork and much of the furniture has been lovingly designed and built by Peter. While working on the home, Peter realized his true love of design and restoration. He took a risk and left his patternmaking career to start his own business, New England Pattern and Joinery. It began in the backyard garage and then moved to a much larger shop on Summer Street in Plantsville. Soon he was designing and building high-end kitchens and interiors. His reputation was growing, and his work was showcased in design magazines. While building his business, his three children, Zack, Abby, and Jenna, were born.

At the peak of his career, health issues forced Pete to give up the business he loved. He struggled not only with the loss of his business but also the loss of his creative outlet. It’s been said that when God closes a door, he opens a window. Pete became involved with Southington Community Services. 

Peter looked at the old firehouse and saw the potential. He knew of the important work Janet Mellon and Southington Community Services does. It has been a labor of love.

Peter came to volunteer for both the Southington Community Services and the Southington Salvation Army during the holiday seasons a few years ago. When Community Services had a chance to change locations, Peter offered to use his talents, as a professional  pattern designer, to make the best possible home for the department and the residents who use their services. The new home of the Southington Community Services is a result of Peter volunteering full time-plus for twelve months.

Peter was the recipient of : The 2009 YMCA Unsung Hero Award.


Stuart S. Estra spent his years in Southington volunteering for several community groups. He also was born into a family who believed in their community and doing what it takes to help those in need. Born to Shirley and Hyman Estra, Stuart was the second of three children. Stuart married Joan Daniels and they cherish their Santa Dog, Ginger.

Stuart began developing the trails at Panthorn Park in 1997. Soon after he began an affordable “Family Day” with a nature theme at the Park. The event combined trails, nature exhibits, rides for youngsters, arts, crafts, food and entertainment into a wonderful event for the Southington community. He added two nature days, serving 1,000 Southington students who attended guided hikes and had hands-on experiences with animals and sea creatures as well as just having fun at the Park. Stuart held a special event with fireworks to mark the tenth anniversary of “Trails Day”.

The “Round the Town Entertainment Series” was also Stuart’s brainstorm. The ten-week program brought regional family entertainment to town. The summer series was so popular, he started a winter series, highlighted in the spring by an Easter Egg Hunt.

Stuart volunteered for Southington Community Services and Southington Salvation Army:

• Started a “Dance Spectacular” annual event co-sponsored by the Southington Parks and Rec, Dance City in the Arts and the Southington Salvation Army. This program helps to fund an annual bus trip to CONNRI Lodge for senior citizens.

• Coordinated the Salvation Army “bell ringing”, which now raises over $20,000 each year. Stuart raised $10,000 himself (with a little help from his wife, nieces and of course, Santa Dog) two years in a row.

• Volunteered for “Walk for Warmth” for the last several years, a committee that raises funds for energy assistance for five towns, including Southington.

• Brought the “Duck Race” to Southington.

• Served on the Board of Directors for Bread for Life, The Southington Arts Council and the Village of Plantsville Association. For the Village of Plantsville, he organized the “Halloween in the Village”, now an annual event.