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.”