Community Access

We spoke with Member Jackie Post about the mission of the organization, the new mental health initiatives implemented by the Glastonbury Rotary Club, projects, and how to become a member.   

We spoke with Superintendent of the Newington Parks and Recreation Department Bill Demaio about an amazing event taking place in town for all ages.   

We spoke with Dr. Leah Osowiecki about the difficult practice of being a hospice veterinarian, the crisis in veterinary medicine and challenges veterinarians face today.  

We spoke with Founder and Advisor of Fuchs Financial, Ben Fuchs about the importance of planning sooner rather than later for retirement, because there are steps people can take through the years to set themselves up for a financially sound retirement… and particularly as retirement approaches, there are decisions that can be made that can make a difference – in reducing the anxiety about retirement years, so people can truly enjoy what they've worked so hard for. 

Merly Ballesteros of National Federation for the Blind, joins us live at the Travelers Championship. National Federation for the Blind advances the lives of our members and all blind people in the United States. The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day they raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Their collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

Laura Marchese, Executive Director of Gifts of Love, joins us live at the Travelers Championship. Gifts of Love helps meet the basic needs of individuals and families in the Greater Hartford area experiencing a short-term financial crisis so that they can return to self sufficiency.

Robin Sharp, President and CEO of Easter Seals Capital Region and Eastern CT, joins us live at the Travelers Championship. Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut provides critical services and powerful advocacy so that people with disabilities and active military and veterans are provided with the resources they need to achieve their full potential in life.

Bruce Buckley, CEO of Soldier On, joins us live at the Travelers Championship. Soldier On is a private nonprofit organization committed to ending veteran homelessness. Since 1994, the organization has been providing homeless veterans with transitional housing and supportive services.

Lakisha Hyatt, President of Rotary Club of Middletown, joins us live at the Travelers Championship. Tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of Rotary Club of Middletown. 

Krystal Rich, Executive Director of CT Children's Alliance, joins us live at the Travelers Championship. CT Children's Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing and ending child abuse.

Perkin Simpson, CEO of Operation Fuel, joins us live at the Travelers Championship. Operation Fuel provides relief for residents who fell through the gaps of government assistance programs.

Lindsay Reiff, Vice Chair of Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut, joins us live at the Travelers Championship. Girls on the Run is a national organization with a powerful mission: to build confidence, connection, and character in girls through running-based programs.

Sarah Asmar, Advancement Director of Hartford Performs, joins us live at the Travelers Championship. Hartford Performs is a unique initiative created in partnership with Hartford Public Schools that brings teaching artists into Pre-K through 8th-grade classrooms to teach academic subjects through the arts.

Betsy Walsh, Director of Development at Malta House of Care, joins us live at the Travelers Championship. Malta House of Care has been a vital lifeline for uninsured adults in Greater Hartford for the past 19 years, offering free primary health care through both a mobile medical van and a fixed clinic in the Asylum Hill neighborhood.

Jennifer Whitehurst, volunteer EMT and board member with Plymouth Volunteer Ambulance Corps, joins us live at the Travelers Championship. As part of a dedicated, all-volunteer team, Jennifer helps provide emergency medical services not just to Plymouth but also to surrounding towns through mutual aid. 

David Elliott, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Hartford, joins us live at the Travelers Championship to talk about the Archbishop's Annual Appeal. This annual fundraising initiative supports organizations and ministries throughout Hartford, New Haven, and Litchfield counties.

Sarah Elizabeth DiMeo-Carabetta, Executive Director of Acts 4 Ministry, joins us live at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell. Acts 4 Ministry is a nonprofit serving the Waterbury community by providing new and gently used basic needs items free of charge. 

Kyle Costa and Nico Peach are members of First Robotics Competition Team 7153, known as The Aetos Dios, joins us live from the Travelers Championship in Cromwell. The team builds and programs a robot every year to compete in challenging regional and world events.

Corrianne Chipello is the CEO of Hartford's Camp Courant and joins us live from the Travelers Championship. Camp Courant is the oldest and largest free day camp in the country, celebrating 131 years of service. The camp provides Hartford children ages 5-12 with free transportation, two meals a day, and access to more than 15 educational and enrichment programs

Christina Walton, Executive Director of the Seymour Oxford Food Bank, joins us live from the Travelers Championship. The food bank, located in the lower level of the Seymour Community Center, offers in-store shopping for families in need with a simple intake process and income-based guidelines.

Kevin Ramsdell, Executive Director, and Sabra Ramsdell, Chief of Staff at the Springfield Rescue Mission, join us live from the Travelers Championship. The organization offers a men's residential rehabilitation program that supports recovery from addiction, including alcohol, drugs, and gambling, while also addressing education, job readiness, and spiritual growth.

Lee-Anne Gilchrist, CEO of the Golf Performance Academy and the USA Junior Golf Federation, joins us live from the Travelers Championship. Both organizations are dedicated to junior golf development, helping young athletes from around the world pursue their dreams on and off the course. 

Deb Bibbins, founder, and Gary Sekorski, co-founder of For All Ages, join us live from the Travelers Championship. Founded in 2019, the nonprofit is dedicated to ending loneliness by connecting generations through meaningful programs.

Anthony Byers, Executive Director of Hartford Youth Scholars, joins us live from the Travelers Championship. Hartford Youth Scholars is a college access and success program that has been serving Hartford students for 20 years. Their mission is to help students from Hartford not only get into college, but graduate and go on to thrive in their careers.

Megan Altomare, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Milford, joins us live from the Travelers Championship. She shares how the organization provides a safe, welcoming space for all school-aged children, whether they live in Milford or a nearby community.

Steve Morris, Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford, joins us live from the Travelers Championship. He shares how the Hartford-based nonprofit is changing lives by helping adults improve their literacy skills and build confidence through education, job training, and community support.

Cynthia Bidorini, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut, joins us live from the Travelers Championship to spotlight the organization's mission and their first year participating in Birdies for Charity.

Lori Blackburn, Community Outreach and Development Coordinator, and Executive Director Nadine Thomas of The Underground New England joins us live from the Travelers Championship to highlight their mission to support survivors of human trafficking.

Cody Foss, Executive Director of KindWorks, joins us live from the Travelers Championship to share the mission behind the nonprofit's creative and compassionate work. 

Tom Danyliw, President of the Cromwell Childrens Coalition, joins us live from the Travelers Championship to share how the group began and its mission to anonymously help children in need.

Terry Grady, Development Officer for Capital for Change, joins us live from the Travelers Championship to share how the organization supports underserved communities across Connecticut.

Shannon Baldassario, Executive Director of MACC Charities, joins us live from the Travelers Championship to talk about the organization's mission to meet emergency needs and break the cycles of poverty in the Greater Manchester area.

Dino Varelli, founder and CEO of Project Purple, and Daniela Jacobsen, community events manager, joins us live from the Travelers Championship to share the story behind the nonprofit and its mission to fight pancreatic cancer.

Shelly Whitlock-Pope, executive director of Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center, joins us live from The Travelers Championship to share their mission and highlight their annual event!

The Enfield 4th of July Town Celebration is  celebrating 40 years. We spoke with Izzy Post Ruhland, Marketing Director and Committee Member about what is taking place to commemorate the event.  

We spoke with CEO Nikki Maloid, Plymouth Glass and Mirror talks about their event coming up on June 21st. Connecticut's Glass Experts | Plymouth Glass & Mirror

We spoke with Dee Doolittle Founder/Executive Director of Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement, Inc. talks about how the organization provides a safe and comfortable retirement alternative for aged and infirm horses to live out their lives and to offer educational opportunities on equine welfare.

We spoke with Dr. Abbas Mohammadi, Founder and Clinical Director of Columbia Dental about extractions, dental implants and what's new in orthodontic technology.

We spoke with Christian Marshall-Jones, Marketing and Communications Coordinator from the Connecticut Humane Society about the adoptable pet of the week.

We spoke with Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Town of Newington Bill DeMaio about the two events happening...the "Newington Goes Country" and "Food Truck Friday."

We spoke with President and CEO Nick Caplanson, Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer Nick Statoulas, VP and Residential Loan Officer Bill Anderson about how they are involved in the community and assisting their customers in the current home buying market.

We spoke with Board Chairman Matt Heller about Friends of Feeney being committed to supporting children and families facing hardship after heartbreak and tragedy. Founded by local teacher Eric Feeney, the organization provides direct financial assistance and connects families with community resources to foster hope and healing during life's most challenging moments.

We spoke with Director of Development Summer Sivetz about Chrysalis Center helping individuals living below the poverty level and struggling with food insecurity, dealing with substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and release from incarceration and homelessness. Our services have grown beyond community support services and case management to include community employment services, community supportive housing, recovery services, and affordable housing.

We spoke with Publicity Chair Katie Daigle about Cromwell Creative District, encompassing the area from Riverfront to Downtown Main Street, promotes economic vitality by celebrating our vibrant history, bolstering our current resources and revealing opportunities for future growth through creative programs, tours, and special events.

We spoke with President and CEO Tim Bartlett about the mission of the YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

We spoke with Founder/President Joe Hanna about Bunkers in Baghdad a not-for-profit charity that collects and sends new and used golf balls, clubs, and equipment to our troops around the world, with a focus on the brave men and women currently serving in combat zones. Bunkers also supplies golf equipment to warriors around the country to aid in the rehabilitation of our injured veterans.

We spoke with CEO Corrianne Chipello about Camp Courant and how they provide a FREE summer camp experience for Hartford children that promotes positive youth development and healthy lifestyle choices through active learning and fun activities. They are the oldest and largest FREE camp in the nation and have entered their 131st year!

We spoke with Craig O'Keefe about "The 60's show" at Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury.  

We spoke with Stephen Morelli from the American Cancer Society about the Relay for Life of Farmington Valley celebrating its 25th Anniversary. To date they have raised $6.5 million dollars for cancer research and programs in CT. This year they are hoping to reach $7 million at their marquee event on May 31st in Avon.

We spoke with President and CEO Bruce Wayne Jeffrey, Boys and Girls Club of Hartford about their upcoming gala, the Great Futures Celebration.

We spoke with Travelers Championship Tournament Director Nathan Grube about the Travelers Championship and the mission behind the golf tournament.