Publication: In Your Northwest Corner
Originally published March 28, 2024
Enriching Young Minds with the Gift of Music
The Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra energizes local communities through collaborations with musical, educational and non-musical organizations. The orchestra includes soloists and orchestra players who perform a series of concerts annually with educational and community organizations, including children's concerts that bring symphony music to more than 3,000 Northwest Connecticut elementary school children annually.
A recent grant from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Khurshed Bhumgara Fund supported three educational concerts for elementary school students from Torrington, New Hartford, Harwinton, and surrounding communities.
"The Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra’s educational children’s concerts are designed to stimulate an intellectual curiosity in music and to encourage participation in school music programs," said Marshall Brown of The Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra.
Building Accessibility and Honoring Service
Located in Litchfield and serving as a pillar for veterans of Northwest Connecticut, the American Legion Post 27 Morgan Weir brings together veterans and their families through community events, including pub nights and family meals.
Volunteers partner with CT Disabled American Veterans to provide monthly trips and support to veterans in hospitals. They work with local organization to organize the Litchfield Memorial Day Parade and 911 ceremony.
Recent grants from the Northwest CT Community Foundation: The Lucia Tuttle Fritz Fund, the Karen M. O'Connor Fund, the Northwest CT Philanthropy Fund, and an anonymous fund supported renovations to the American Legion Post 27 Morgan Weir to improve accessibility–supporting renovations that provide elevator access to the second floor and widen hallways and bathroom access to enable veterans using wheelchairs and walkers to participate in programming.
"Studies have shown that a strong social network, including family, friends, trusted colleagues, and positive social interactions, lead to greater life satisfaction in post-military life," said Carol Powers, American Legion Post 27 Morgan Weir.
[ when the renovations are completed] "For the first time in its history since 1919, veterans of all mobilities can congregate in community. These grants are a beacon of hope."
Encouraging a Love of Literature for Generations
Nestled in the hills of Falls Village for more than 125 years, the David M. Hunt Library is the cultural hub of the community and an educational center. The library works to foster a love of books and respect for well-written words, and to promote and encourage literacy, offering a diverse collection of print media, audio books and DVDs. The library presents varied programming, including story hour, cultural events, book talks and educational workshops. The library's ArtWall showcases works by local artists in rotation.
A recent grant from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Barbara D. Lemmen Fund supported the purchase of Chromebooks for an after school basic computer coding program in partnership with Lee Kellogg School.
A recent grant from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Fund for Children and Families supported Letters Are Characters, an eight-week literacy course for children and their families to reinforce and boost reading skills.
Grants from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Roberta Lee August Fund and Northwest CT Philanthropy Fund supported the library's efforts to digitize a series of 18mm films that bring writer Eric Carle's stories to life, a legacy crafted by the hands of a revered local artist.
"This digitization is not just about maintaining a format; it’s about preserving a legacy for those who will seek knowledge and inspiration in the future," said Megan Sher of David M. Hunt library,
"This transition is more than technological; it's a reaffirmation of the importance of arts and history in the community."
Give to the Community Leadership Fund
Your gift to the Northwest CT Community Foundation Community Leadership Fund works to improve the Northwest Corner of CT in so many ways: programs for the healthy development of our children, well-stocked soup kitchens and food pantries for struggling families, the development of affordable homes, assistance for college students navigating financial aid, and so much more.
