Oh, what a night! The 2018 Indian Summer BBQ Bash

Greater Newington Charitable Society, Inc. held its second annual charity, The Indian Summer BBQ Bash, on the evening of Saturday, November 3rd at Saint Mary’s school auditorium. The event raised over $10,000 benefit The Autism Center at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain and The Fisher House in West Haven to support military families while their loved ones are treated for physical or mental wounds and trauma.

Representatives from each organization — Wendy DeAngelo, Vice President, Development and Communications at the Hospital for Special Care and Kevin Creed, President, Friends of Fisher House Connecticut — took a few moments to educate the guests about the services they provide. DeAngelo also commented, “It was a great event and it means so much to us to see such an outpouring of support in our community. I was so impressed by the food, the music, the wonderful auction and raffle, the young volunteers but most of all the many, many people participating!”
 
More than 175 attendees were treated to a fantastic barbecue buffet catered by Up In Smoke BBQ and danced to the music of Jamie’s Junk Show Band, a local Connecticut favorite. There was a teacup raffle with over 30 high-quality gifts; a wine tasting by Sammy’s Buy Rite Liquors of Wethersfield; a wine pull and a fantastic door prize package, which included a portable grill, grilling tool set and $60 of filet mignon donated by The Butchery of South Windsor. The highlight of the evening was the live auction, called by local radio personality Steve Parker. Guests bid on a pair of season tickets at Foxboro Stadium for a New England Patriots game in December and two pair of Red Sox v. Yankees tickets to Fenway Park for next season.

“Our members have such a heart for helping people and giving back to the community,” explains Greater Newington Charitable Society President Melanie Tregoning. Society member Lou Califano commented, “We had a great evening. The food and band were excellent. Newington High School Key Club volunteers were a big help. And, all the profit goes to worthy causes.”
 
Corporate sponsors included Campbell Cooling, the Connecticut Insurance Exchange Blue Jeans Fund, Dr. Fred Googel, The Hedberg Family, KEMPER, London & London, SERVPRO, Sojourn Mortgage, Dr. Gary Toubman; Aqua Backflow/Gallicchio Plumbing, Lenares Landscaping, McBride Wayside Carpet and Ray Seraphin Ford sponsored desserts.
Tregoning added, “Our sponsors and generous donors were a big factor in this year’s success. I’d like to especially thank Connecticut Insurance Exchange of Newington and Southington for underwriting the cost of the entertainment, SERVPRO for donating the Patriots tickets, and Steve Parker for emceeing our event. When people care about their community it makes a world of difference.”