// NEWS

On Monday, November 17th, Jewett City Savings Bank President and CEO Michael Alberts and Executive Vice President Diana Rose invited the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation (NCEF) to the bank’s Dayville branch to present a $12,000 donation. The funds will add to the JCSB endowed scholarship with the NCEF. This contribution demonstrates the confidence Jewett City Savings Bank has in the NCEF and their mission to provide scholarships and other financial support to local students who want to pursue higher education. JCSB President and CEO Mike Alberts noted, “Jewett City Savings Bank, a mutually-owned community savings bank, is rooted in the fabric of eastern Connecticut. We have a responsibility to support those organizations like the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation that are likewise committed to improving the lives of our area residents.” The presentation included NCEF President Joseph Adiletta and Coordinator Sarah Wolfburg. President Adiletta shared his appreciation for the donation, “The NCEF is pleased to accept this significant donation from Jewett City Savings Bank. The bank has been a longtime supporter of the Foundation, both financially and with a commitment to volunteering with over 20 bank employees volunteering their time at the Tackle the Trail event in 2025. JCSB truly understands the value of education and demonstrates it by their ongoing support.” Scholarships endowed with the NCEF are available to local students through an annual application process that opens for a six-week period from February through mid-March. With over 100 individual awards ranging from $500 to $2,500, scholarships can be used for direct educational expenses including tuition, fees, books, course supplies, and technology. More details about scholarship amounts and criteria will be available at the NCEF website in February of 2026. Jewett City Savings Bank President/CEO Michael Alberts and Executive Vice President Diana Rose present a $12,000 check to Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation Coordinator Sarah Wolfburg and President Joseph Adiletta

The Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation (NCEF) held the 12th annual Tackle the Trail event on Saturday, October 18. Known as Northeast CT’s unique race in an amazing place, Tackle the Trail features multiple distances, including marathon, marathon relay, half-marathon, 10K, and TackleJR. This event attracts runners from near and far. To date, runners from 34 states and 5 countries have Tackled the Trail. For 2025, the 10K male winner hailed from New Zealand. Monique Wolanin, Race Director and CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley Director of Institutional Advancement shared her appreciation for all who support the race each year, “Since our inaugural race in 2014, Tackle the Trail continues to grow, raising over $650,000 to help local students reach their educational goals and dreams. We could not put on this race without the generous support of so many, including our runners, volunteers, sponsors, and partnerships with many local organizations. On behalf of the hundreds of students who benefit from this event, heartfelt thanks.” 2025 winners include: marathon male Travis Godley, female Sara Tarascio; half-marathon male Chris Churchill, female Shelley Buchbinder, non-binary Dylan Lomangino; 10K male Willie Gunn, female Annie O’Sullivan, non-binary Liz Paglione; marathon relay male team Pomfret School XC, female team Trail this Pace, and mixed team Striding to the Top. For a complete list of 2025 results, sponsors, partners, photos and all race information, please visit tacklethetrail.org. To learn more about CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley and ways to support local students attending the college, please contact Monique C.K. Wolanin at (860) 932-4174 or [email protected] The mission of the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation is to provide scholarships and other financial support to residents of Northeast Connecticut who want to pursue higher education.

Northeast CT Education Foundation Golf Tournament Raises Over $60K The Northeast CT Education Foundation (NCEF) held its first golf tournament on Wednesday, September 17 at Connecticut National Golf Club in Putnam, CT. The tournament is one of several annual events held to help students from Northeast CT pursue their dreams of higher education attainment. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and players, the NCEF raised over $60,500 at this year’s outing. Foundation Vice President and 2025 Golf Committee Chair Peter Deary shared, “I am honored to lead this year’s tournament and want to thank our ‘Village’ of sponsors, volunteers, golfers, partners and all Foundation Members whose amazing support, both monetary and physical, helps us achieve our mission.” The NCEF extends its sincere appreciation to the staff at CT National, The G7 Catering Company, National Anthem singer Linda Colangelo, and all volunteers. With beautiful weather and a full field of teams, golfers enjoyed a fantastic outing. The mission of the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation is to provide scholarships and other financial support to residents of Northeast Connecticut who want to pursue higher education. For more information on how to support local students at CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley, please contact Director of Institutional Advancement Monique C.K. Wolanin at (860) 932-4174 or [email protected]. Congratulations to 2025 Winners: Tournament Winners First Place Team with a score of 54, Roger Noll, Scott Vose, Sean Vigue, and Patrick Kozelka Second Place Team Putnam Plastics with a score of 57, Jim Dandeneau, Deb Dandeneau, Ryan Dandeneau, and Brad Rabitor Third Place Team Bakers Dozen with a score of 57, Trevor Cardinal, Jeremy Hendrickson, Dan Durocher, and Mark Lowell. Closest to the Pin Hole 7 – Rocky Bedard at 6’ 1” Hole 9 – Patrick Kozelka at 22” Hole 11 – Ryan Dandeneau at 5’ 1” Long Drive on Hole 18 Women’s Long Drive: Kelley Rochefort Men’s Long Drive: Brendan Meehan Thank you to our 2025 Supporters

On Tuesday, September 16th members of Donahue Industries visited the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTC) at CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley. They presented a check to the Northeast CT Education Foundation (NCEF) for the AMTC Fund which supports AMTC students and the program at Quinebaug Valley. The story of how this donation came to pass is an excellent example of how this region thrives through collaboration and connectivity. After initially learning about Donahue Industries through an ad on WINY Radio, AMTC Director Steve LaPointe contacted the company’s President Kyle Wojcik and VP of Operations Joe Draleau to invite them for a tour of the Center. Both were impressed with the facility and the programs offered. Donahue Industries President Kyle Wojcik commented on what a valuable resource the AMTC is to his business and other manufacturers, “When we first visited the AMTC at Quinebaug Valley, we were blown away by how amazing the facility is, how professionally it is run, and the fundamental skills that students learn during their training. Knowing that an employee came from the AMTC instills the confidence that we are getting the best candidate for the job, someone who is prepared and professional.” AMTC Director Steve LaPointe noted the importance of partnerships between the college and local manufacturers, “Connecting the students we serve with our business and industry partners is crucial to growing the pipeline of skilled employees to benefit our community.”

Each fall, the NCEF hosts two major fundraising events: the Golf Tournament in September and Tackle the Trail in October. Both events bring together a combination of community members, sponsors, and volunteers with the goal of raising funds to help local students achieve their education goals and dreams. Always held on the third Wednesday in September, the NCEF Golf Tournament brings a full field of players to Connecticut National Golf Club in Putnam for a day of friendly competition. With this year’s event set for September 17th, the tournament offers multiple sponsorship opportunities, limited space for foursomes, and multiple silent auction items donated by local businesses. 2025 Golf Tournament Chair, Peter Deary shared his appreciation to the community members who support the event, “The success of this tournament each year is a testament to the amazing residents and businesses who call Northeast CT home, we appreciate their trust and belief in our mission.” The tournament is a sell-out event, and those interested in playing and sponsoring are encouraged to reserve their spots quickly. All information about the tournament is available on the NCEF website at necteducationfoundation.org.   Since 2014, thanks to sponsors, runners and volunteers, Tackle the Trail has raised $600,000 to help local students pursue higher education. Always held on the third Saturday in October, this point-to-point trail race offers marathon, half-marathon, 10K, relay marathon, and TackleJR options that attract runners from near and far, with participants from 35 states and 4 countries represented over the event’s 12-year history. All races begin on the Air Line State Park Trail and end at the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center in Putnam, CT. With approximately 12 weeks until race day on October 18th, there is still time to register, sponsor, and volunteer. All race information can be found at www.tacklethetrail.org. The mission of the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation (NCEF) is to provide scholarships and other financial support to residents of Northeast Connecticut who want to pursue higher education. Funds raised by the Golf Tournament and Tackle the Trail events help the NCEF provide $300,000 annually to local students. In addition to scholarships, the NCEF also provides grants and emergency funds for financial aid, support for continuing education and workforce development, programs for English as a Second Language (ESOL) students, support for the Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Center at CT State Quinebaug Valley, and funds for student cultural enrichment experiences. For more information on how to support local students at CT State Quinebaug Valley, please contact Director of Institutional Advancement and Tackle the Trail Race Director Monique C.K. Wolanin at (860) 932-4174 or [email protected].