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Connections
The Newsletter of the Women & Girls Fund
Spring 2025
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Field of Friends Sparkles at The American Mural Project
Laughter, inspiration, and a touch of magic filled the air as the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund celebrated 25 incredible years of making a difference at our Field of Friends event. Held at the awe-inspiring American Mural Project in Winsted, CT, the gathering was more than just a fundraiser—it was a festival of empowerment, friendship, and fun!
The American Mural Project, home to the largest indoor collaborative mural in the world, was the perfect setting for an evening dedicated to celebrating the collective power of women and girls. Spanning 120 feet long and five stories high, the mural itself felt like a metaphor for our journey—layered with stories, built by many hands, and brimming with vibrant energy.
Since its founding, the Women & Girls Fund has been a champion of opportunity, funding programs that help women and girls achieve financial independence, educational success, and personal growth. This event wasn’t just about celebrating the past, it was about igniting the future.
Of course, no Women & Girls Fund event would be complete without fabulous food. Ciesco Catering provided delicious treats for our guests. Field of Friends featured fun activities and a few delightful surprises! Once again, students from Kent School and Northwestern Regional High School volunteered for the evening, providing hundreds of cookies, selling raffle tickets, passing hors d’oeuvres, and helping with set up and clean up.
As the evening wound down, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just a celebration—it was a launchpad. With eyes set on the future, the Women & Girls Fund is more energized than ever to continue its mission, ensuring that the next 25 years shine even brighter. When women and girls rise, we all rise!
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Ending Period Poverty
In an effort to combat period poverty in Northwest CT, the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund has partnered with The Diaper Bank of CT, Rotary Club of the Torrington & Winsted Areas, and Petricone’s Pharmacy and Medical Equipment to supply essential period products to local food banks. This collaboration hopes to ensure that women and girls in the region have consistent access to necessary hygiene products. The goal of the Women & Girls Fund Period Product Program (WGPPP) is to support health, dignity, and full participation in daily life.
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The Diaper Bank of Connecticut: A Legacy of Support
Founded in 2004, The Diaper Bank of Connecticut (DBCT) has been a cornerstone in providing basic health necessities to families across the state. While its initial focus was on distributing baby diapers, the organization recognized the broader spectrum of hygiene needs within the community, so they established specialized programs:
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Beam Program: Dedicated to supplying period products to menstruators in need, addressing the often-overlooked issue of period poverty.
Shine Program: Focused on providing incontinence products to youth and seniors, ensuring that individuals across all age groups maintain their dignity and health.
Through these initiatives, DBCT has expanded its reach, distributing millions of diapers annually and increasing its provision of period products to meet growing demands. In 2023, the organization distributed more than 50,000 period products, a number that continues to rise as awareness and support grow.
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Recently we spoke to Janet Alfano, the executive director of The Diaper Bank of CT, about the challenges faced by her organization. “We've been told more than once that we are scrappy and punch above our weight. I think we've always been willing to tackle difficult problems from many different angles and pivot when needed," said Janet.
The Diaper Bank has donated thousands of period products for WGPPP, but products are not always available. When it is necessary to purchase products, we have support from two local organizations: Rotary Club of the Torrington & Winsted Areas, and Petricone’s Pharmacy and Medical Equipment.
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Rotary Club of the Torrington & Winsted Areas
Rotary Club of the Torrington & Winsted Areas is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in its community through various charitable initiatives. Each year, the club contributes approximately $50,000 in direct grants and scholarships to local organizations and students. The club offers grants to nonprofit, volunteer, and educational organizations. These grants support projects that align with Rotary's mission, including international humanitarian efforts and local community efforts. This year the Women & Girls Fund received a generous grant to support WGPPP.
Petricone’s Pharmacy and Medical Equipment
A longtime supporter of the Women & Girls Fund, Petricone’s Pharmacy and Medical Equipment continues to offer help where help is most needed. When the Women & Girls Fund needs to purchase period products, Petricone’s Pharmacy and Medical Equipment supplies them at cost.
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Join us at a Packing Party!
Once we receive products, we organize “parties” to package and label the goods. We rely on the help of civic minded friends in our community, and we have found that women and girls are happy to join in this initiative. So far, we have called upon students at Kent School, Housatonic Valley Regional High School and CT State Community College Northwestern, as well as members of the Mom’s Club of New Hartford, and The Norfolk HUB. Are you interested in joining us? Contact us at womenandgirls@yournccf.org.
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Looking Ahead
The collaboration between the Women & Girls Fund and these organizations exemplifies the power of partnerships in addressing critical community needs. By combining resources, expertise, and a shared commitment to equity, we are making significant strides in eliminating period poverty in Northwest CT. Continued support and advocacy are essential to sustain and expand these efforts, ensuring that all individuals have access to the basic health products they need to lead healthy and dignified lives.
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With great sadness, we note a tremendous loss for the entire community, but especially for the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund. Anita Baxter passed away on March 1st. Anita volunteered countless hours in her community. She served on the NCCF board of Trustees from 2014-2024, serving as secretary in 2023-2024. She also served on the advisory board of CT State Community College Northwestern, and on the boards of the Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library and the New Hartford Public Schools Board of Education.
She has served as president of the New Hartford Business Council, and as an EMT with the New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance. She served ten years on the New Hartford Board of Selectmen, making history as the first woman to hold the role of First Selectman. And, Anita was passionate about lifting up women and girls through the Women & Girls Fund. She advised young women to think of their futures, to take risks, and to not take perceived failure personally.
"Anita lived the mission of the Women & Girls Fund the way she moved through the world," said Fran Stoffer, Women & Girls Fund Chair. "She will be sorely missed."
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Nestled in the scenic town of Cornwall, CT, Mohawk Mountain Ski Area stands as a testament to innovation and resilience in the skiing community. Founded in 1947 by the visionary Walt Schoenknecht, the resort has been a cornerstone for winter sports enthusiasts in the region. Today, under the leadership of his daughter, Carol Schoenknecht Lugar, Mohawk Mountain continues to thrive as one of the few remaining family-owned ski areas in the United States. Carol is owner and president of Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, and she is justifiably proud of her achievements in growing and developing the company. “I had the best partner imaginable in Steve Hedden. Until his recent retirement, he served as my vice president, and our work was a true collaboration,” said Carol. “When disaster struck in 1989, I couldn't have managed without him.” Members of the Hedden family continue to work in key positions at the resort.
Steering Through Adversity
On July 10, 1989, a devastating tornado swept through the area, causing extensive damage to the resort's infrastructure and natural landscape. The storm destroyed several lifts and uprooted countless trees, leaving the future of the ski area in jeopardy. “The support from the community was incredible. The ski patrol and the winter staff and their families all came in to volunteer. Ski resorts from across the country offered their help. By mid-November, we were up and running,” said Carol. Under her leadership, the resort not only rebuilt its facilities but also implemented modernizations that enhanced the skiing experience. The scars of the tornado are still visible today, serving as a poignant reminder of the mountain's enduring spirit.
A Family Tradition of Perseverance and Resilience
Carol Lugar comes by her perseverance and resilience honestly. Faced with inconsistent snowfall, her father, Walt Schoenknecht collaborated with local engineers to develop the world's first snowmaking machine. This groundbreaking technology was tested at Mohawk Mountain in 1950, revolutionizing the ski industry by ensuring consistent snow coverage regardless of natural precipitation.
Connection to NCCF
Carol is truly a pioneer in her industry. There are not many female ski resort owners. And, she cares deeply about her community. She has served on the Northwest CT Community Foundation Board of Trustees, and she has generously supported the Women & Girls fund for years.
"The Women & Girls Fund represents support and education for a demographic group that is often underserved," said Carol. "I experienced bias and underwhelming acceptance in a very male dominated industry. It seemed natural to accept and even embrace the inherent challenges, resulting in the creation of an exceptional place for myself and success for my company."
We are delighted to have such a vibrant, positive partner in Carol Lugar.
| | Up Next: Together We Blossom, Our Annual Celebration | | |
This year we are combining our spring annual reception and our fall event to create a new celebration entitled Together We Blossom. This event honors those in our community who have supported our mission over the years: to invest in the power of women and the dreams of girls. Together We Blossom will be held May 30th from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at the Litchfield Community Center.
Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a charcuterie table, a cash bar, the presentation of the Women Supporting Women Award, the announcement of 2025 grants, and a review of the accomplishments of 2024.
We are very excited to announce that the talented and creative Jenna Brescia will instruct guests in a flower arranging activity, and we will all go home with a beautiful arrangement! Can you help us double the fun? Please bring a friend who has never attended one of our events, so we can welcome them into the fold.
| | The progress we have made needs protection. Please give generously to the Women & Girls Fund. | | |
Bequest Giving
Wouldn’t it be great if people celebrated your values 100 years from now? You can make that happen by leaving a legacy gift to the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund.
Designate the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund in your estate planning. It is quick and easy.
Contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Bradford Hoar at 860-626-1245 or BHoar@yournccf.org to learn more.
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LIKE • FOLLOW • SHARE to help spread the word about the great opportunities for Women & Girls in Northwest CT!
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