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News Release

June 7, 2005

Local Companies offer $125,000 Challenge

What do Middletown-based Middlesex Mutual Assurance, Whelen Engineering in Chester and The Clark Group of Essex share in common besides their long successful history in Middlesex County? They each have a vested interest in and have provided generous support to the seven year old Middlesex County Community Foundation!

The three companies provided initial support to establish the Community Foundation as one of Connecticut's newest. Now the three have collectively offered $125,000 as an administration challenge grant to help the Foundation in its growing years. Their challenge provides $1 for every $2 given or pledged to help the Foundation's operations through 2008.

"We see the future community benefit of having a successful Community Foundation," reported Tom Ford, Senior Vice President for Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company. "The Foundation and its donors will join our company in providing grants that improve our area for everyone." Sonny Whelen, Whelen's Executive Vice President, agrees, "The processes and knowledge of the Foundation staff and volunteers assure wise deployment of charitable donations for today and tomorrow. We are glad to help by supporting Foundation administration and encouraging others to join us." Herb Clark of The Clark Group and Foundation Board Chair adds, "We are grateful to have these respected companies join with our Board in supporting our vision of a vital Community Foundation to serve donors, nonprofit organizations and their many constituents. It takes a community to build a strong foundation. We welcome all to join in supporting our efforts."

"Our Community Foundation has had a wonderful founding period," Patti Anne Vassia, Community Foundation President stated. "We have provided over $500,000 in grants to 115 organizations that improve the quality of life and provide helpful services to people in Middlesex County. We have over 40 named endowed funds that provide for present and future community benefit and, in addition, 36 individuals have informed us of future planned gifts that total over $5 million. We are very grateful to these companies and their visionary leaders who know that in order to thrive we need support to administer responsible grantmaking, grow the endowment and manage accountably. All our Board members have demonstrated their commitment by giving to this effort. We hope others will join us."

The Middlesex County Community Foundation is one of 17 in Connecticut and over 650 in the United States. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Middlesex County. Its mission is to work with charitably-minded individuals and organizations to build permanent endowments and other charitable funds to support local non-profit organizations through effective grantmaking to address community needs.

The Community Foundation welcomes conversation with good people who want to do great things now and in the future. Find out more about the Middlesex County Community Foundation by calling Patti Anne Vassia, President at 860.347.0025 or .

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