Citizen’s Bank employees James Lynch and Adam Plante heard about Greater Newington Charitable Society, Inc., a local nonprofit organization, from one of the banks customers. “When we learned that the group fosters volunteerism, and supports children at risk and military veterans, we knew it was something we wanted to get behind,” said Lynch.

The Bank encourages employees to engage in their community with an “Act of Kindness” each month. “Employees meet and decide where to make a contribution or to volunteer,” explained bank employee Ryan Picard.

This month, the committee chose Greater Newington Charitable Society and donated a raffle gift basket for their upcoming fundraiser, The Indian Summer BBQ Bash. The event will be held from 6 pm to 11 pm on Saturday, November 3, 2018 in St. Mary’s auditorium on Willard Avenue in Newington. NET proceeds will go to Friends of Fisher House Connecticut and The Autism Center at The Hospital for Special Care in New Britain. Employees also made a commitment to volunteer at or attend the event.

The Indian Summer BBQ Bash will feature a fantastic dinner catered by Up in Smoke BBQ and live music by Jamie’s Junk Show Band. Along with the gift basket from Citizen’s Bank, attendees can win tickets to a New England Patriots game, a 2019 Red Sox/Yankees game, and many, many more incredible raffle prizes.

Melanie Tregoning, President of Greater Newington Charitable Society added, “We are excited to have Citizen’s Bank support our event. Because of the generosity and support of local businesses, we a able to make a positive impact on our community.”

Tickets for the Indian Summer BBQ Bash are on sale now and sold in advance only. Visit www.gncsociety.org for details.

Greater Newington Charitable Society (GNCS) held its first Membership Invitational Meeting on June 13th at Indian Hill Country Club. Prospective and current members were treated to informative presentations about two causes supported by and closely aligned to the Society’s mission — children at risk and military veterans.
 
Greater Newington Charitable Society President Melanie Tregoning welcomed guests and began the evening with a brief presentation about the history of GNCS, who it serves, and the causes it supports. “We were very pleased to have two of the wonderful organizations we support here with us that night to explain the work they do. Their presentations demonstrated why we back them,” said Tregoning.
 
Since its inception in 2016, GNCS has grown its membership by 150% and has given close to $10,000 to charitable causes.

Lauren Herlihy, Ph. D., from The Autism Center at the Hospital for Special Care (HSC) in New Britain, was the event’s first guest speaker. Herlihy explained, “The Autism Center is one of only 11 specialized inpatient units for ASD in the U.S. at its opening in late 2015.”
 
The Autism Center offers inpatient and outpatient treatment, serving individuals with Autism ages 2-21 and their families. As a clinic, it has seen 1,776 individual patients since opening in 2012. The Autism Center will be one of the beneficiaries from the Greater Newington Charitable Society’s leading fundraiser — The Indian Summer BBQ Bash — which will be held this fall on November 3rd.
 
The second presenter was from the national nonprofit organization Train A Dog Save A Warrior (TADSAW). Lead Trainer Sherrie King, explained how — at no charge to the veteran  — TADSAW rescues kill-shelter dogs, pairs them with veterans surviving with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Induced Anxiety Depression Syndrome (MIADS), or Traumatic Brain Injury, and trains them as a team. “We save two lives at the same time — the dog’s and the veterans,” King said.
 
After the speech, TADSAW was presented with a donation of $1,150 from GNCS. The money will be used to help a Veteran-K9 Rescue Team in the Greater Hartford area.

Greater Newington Charitable Society (GNCS) has been granted 501 (c) (3) status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and has been classified as a public charity. This means donors can deduct contributions they make to GNCS under IRC Section 170 to the fullest extent allowed by law. GNCS is also qualified to receive deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522.

"We are incredibly pleased to acquire this tax-deductible status with the IRS," explains Club President Melanie Tregoning. "We thank our club member Joane London, partner at the law firm London & London, for all her time and monetary donations. Joane was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition for our organization."

Because the Club's status retroactive effective date is August 8, of 2016, contributions to GNCS made since that date are eligible as a tax-deduction  — just in time for tax day!

Greater Newington Charitable Society, Inc. (GNCS) held its first annual charity dinner dance, The Indian Summer BBQ Bash, on a warm mid-October evening at Saint Mary’s school gym. More than 120 attendees were treated to a fantastic barbecue feast catered by Up In Smoke BBQ and danced to the music of The Sin Sister's Band, one of Connecticut's top dance bands. The teacup raffle boasted over 25 valuable gifts ranging from New England Patriots tickets to Mount Snow lift tickets to a variety of gift cards to signed cookbooks from celebrity chefs including Guy Fieri.

Founding GNCS member Tim Luddy commented, “We had a great evening. The food and band were excellent. And, all the proceeds — every penny — went to needy causes.”

GNCS raised nearly $6,000 for the support of youth and military veterans in crisis. 100% of the funds raised that night go specifically towards:

• Newington Police and Social Services community initiatives and programs for at-risk middle school children; and
• Fisher House Connecticut to support military families while their loved one is being treated for physical or mental wounds and trauma.

 
 “I’m very pleased to be part of this organization. Our members have such a heart for helping people and giving back to the community,” explains GNCS President Melanie Tregoning.

Tregoning added, “Our event sponsors — Aqua Backflow/Gallicchio Plumbing, Campbell Cooling, Connecticut Insurance Exchange and the Connecticut Insurance Exchange Blue Jeans Fund, Duksa Family Funeral Homes, Elaine’s Restaurant, Dr. Fred Googel, Lenares Landscaping, London & London, M&P Pipejacking, McBride Wayside Carpet Co., SERVPRO, SouthPack, Dr. Gary Toubman, and Welcome Home Mortgage — and generous donors were a big factor in the success of The Indian Summer BBQ Bash. Our community really came through.”

Join Greater Newington Charitable Society (GNCS) for a fabulous night of food and fun at its Indian Summer BBQ Bash fundraiser. The event will be held from 6 pm to 11 pm on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Saint Mary’s school gym, 652 Willard Avenue in Newington, Connecticut.

There will be a fantastic BBQ dinner catered by “Up in Smoke.” The menu includes finger-lickin' BBQ chicken, ribs, pulled pork, delicious sides, a garden salad and dessert. To keep the cost of the event down, attendees are invited to BYOB. Soda, water, coffee and tea are included in the ticket price. There will be dancing to the music of “The Sin Sisters” band and a teacup and 50/50 cash raffle.

"This is going to be such a great night," explains Club President Melanie Tregoning. "100% of the net proceeds will go to support local youth and military veterans in crisis. Specifically, Newington Police and Social Services community initiatives and programs for at-risk, middle school children; and for The Friends of Fisher House Connecticut. This group supports military families while their loved one is being treated for physical or mental wounds and trauma. Truly this will be great food, with a great band for great cause!"

Tickets are only $50 per person. ​Tickets are only sold in advance of the event and are available for purchase now. Attendees can reserve tables of up to 8 people. Table reservations and requests are on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets will be sold at the door. "We expect to be sold out by early October," commented Tregoning. "There has been a lot of interest in this event. I'm sure people will buy tickets early."

Tickets can be purchased in person at Connecticut Insurance Exchange during regular office hours at 112 Market Square in Newington or from any GNCS member. Tickets can also be purchased by mail. Details can be found on the GNCS event web page.

Greater Newington Charitable Society made its first donation to Capitol Squash, which is an organization that fosters athletics and academics for 50 inner city Hartford children who participate year round.

Each student must apply and their families are interviewed. The students meet at Trinity College where they have squash practice for one hour followed by 45 minutes of homework and tutoring. "The Capitol Squash Program aligns nicely with GNCS' goal of helping youth," commented GNCS member Gary Toubman.

​Click here for more information about GNCS

The first ‘official’ meeting of the Greater Newington Charitable Society (GNCS) was held on September 14th, 2016 at Rooster Company on Main street in Newington, Connecticut. All charter members were in attendance: Fred Googel, Joane London, Tim Luddy, Jackie Martin, Ron and Melanie Tregoning with the exception of Gary Toubman and Russ London.

GNCS was formed to help youth and veterans in Newington and its surrounding towns to reach their potential and to foster volunteerism.

Meetings are held monthly; usually at noon on the second Wednesday on each month.

Membership requirements:

• People who have the time, funds and drive to make a difference in the Greater Newington community
• Business owners, partners, officers and those retired are ideal candidates
• People who live or work in Greater Newington area
• People who want to make a difference in the community; be engaged

To inquire about membership, contact GNCS.

Click here for more information about GNCS, its events and charities.