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08/09/2018 12:01 AMThey are everywhere—in the house next door, behind the counter at the business down the street, at the board of directors table of your favorite nonprofit—volunteers and leaders who give their time and talents to our community. They are the “Good People Doing Great Things” throughout Middlesex County, and we are fortunate to be surrounded by so many. We appreciate the value of their contributions and are excited to honor them through the CFMC Local Leaders, Local Legends recognition program.
This year, with the help of nominations from the community, we have an impressive tally of 32 honorees covering six award categories. Here we showcase one honoree as one example of extraordinary leadership and commitment to local community service.
For the past 10 years, Adam Calkins and Dennis Pough of Pough Interiors in Essex have actively built a culture of civic and charitable engagement with an abundance of energy, enthusiasm, and leadership. They have generously provided their creative vision and design services for numerous fundraising events benefiting local nonprofits, including the Connecticut River Museum, Lyme Art Academy, Florence Griswold Museum, and the Community Foundation of Middlesex County. Their undeniable creative talent and oversight skills are true assets to the success of local fundraising events. It doesn’t stop there. Adam and Dennis are extraordinary ambassadors for the 365 Fund at the Community Foundation. The 365 Fund allows friends, neighbors, and co-workers to engage in philanthropy—together. Each fund member commits to donating a dollar a day, $365 in a year, and is encouraged to attend networking events to learn about the issues, programs, and organizations directly affecting our local community.
For the past five years, Pough Interiors has opened its showroom doors as host site for these “friend-raisers,” helping grow the initiative by developing new and creative alliances and partnerships. Through their advocacy, Adam and Dennis have helped shape the 365 Fund into an effective tool for change in Middlesex County. For that, we say thank you.
We also say thank you to all of the individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations that continue to demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to community service. This year we applaud Marla Bogaert, Bill Guerra, Henry May, Donald McDougall, Judy Schoonmaker, Maris Wacs, and Marcia Wrubel for their “Outstanding Volunteer” work; Debra Brown, Rita Christopher, Sarah Cody, Christine Hall, Jane McMillan, Paula Merrick, Cathy and Jim Probolus, and Joanne Roczniak for their efforts “Behind the Scenes”; Quentin “Q” Phipps as a “Next Generation” community philanthropist; Vin Capece, Chandler Howard, Wally Jones, Marcia Kalayjian, Bob Kirkpatrick, Patti Anne Vassia, and Curtis Weybright for extraordinary “Leadership” in our communities; Shore Publishing, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Guilford Savings Bank, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, and River View Cemetery as “Corporate Supporters,” going above and beyond the expected to improve the quality of life for all of us; and our “Nonprofit Standouts”—Simply Sharing, Vista Life Innovations, The Kate, and HOPE Partnership—for their initiative, creativity, and sustainable, quality services. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You truly are good people doing great things. We encourage everyone to learn more about what’s happening in their community. Please give us a call at 860-347-0025 or visit us online at MiddlesexCountyCF.org.