ERfC announces $10,000 challenge to benefit scholarship fund

ENFIELD—ERfC committee members are busy putting together silent auction items and selling tickets for the 2nd annual wine and beer tasting event and 20th year celebration on Friday, April 11th at the Enfield Holiday Inn. 

Event co-chairs Heidi DeLisle and Judy Apruzzese-Desroches said there will be many silent auction surprises this year, including authentically signed and framed items from Katy Perry, Despicable Me, and Wayne Gretzki.

“We have an incredible opportunity to match an anonymous $10,000 gift with the dollars raised at this event and we are reaching out to the community for their support,” said Apruzzese-Desroches.

DeLisle said autographed items, complete with a certificate of authenticity from Charity Fundraising, will include framed sheet music of Katy Perry’s hit song Firework; a framed and autographed picture of Wayne Gretzki; and framed animation art from the Pixar animated film Despicable Me, autographed by Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier and Elsie Fisher.

In addition, items have been donated from USA Hockey, including a signed hockey pucks from 2014 Sochi Olympian and CT native Max Pacioretty and Sochi Silver medalist Kacey Bellamy from Westfield, Massachusetts.

“We are fortunate to have wonderful community support”, said DeLisle. In addition, donated auction items from ERfC supporters will include: Red Sox vs. Chicago Cubs tickets for July 2nd and Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles tickets for September 8th. 

DeLisle said the silent auction includes many favorites including dinner with the Mayor, popular Jarmoc Farms cigars, and lunch at the State Capitol with our State Representatives; gift certificates for massage and fitness training; gift cards to many restaurants, including Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, a three-hour limo ride, rounds of golf, theatre and concert tickets; an overnight stay at Foxwoods Casino and much more.

The annual fundraising event will benefit the ERfC scholarship fund.  ERfC provides out-of-school time activities for children in grades K-8.  Last year ERfC subsidized 82% of the children enrolled.  DeLisle, also a member of the ERfC Board of Directors, said this year, with funding cuts that percent was reduced to 65%.

“We have over 100 children on a waiting list this school year and are anticipating a need to subsidize over 68% of children in our Summer Escape camp,” said DeLisle.  “We want all Enfield kids to get an opportunity to participate regardless of family economics,” she said. “We are still accepting sponsorships and tickets are available online at www.erfc.us.

 Apruzzese-Desroches said, “We are taking this $10,000 challenge as an opportunity to provide academic, enrichment and recreational activities to help more Enfield kids succeed in school. She urged Enfield residents and businesses to “buy a couple of tickets and join us for a great evening to support Enfield kids.”

Mayor Scott Kaupin, Master of Ceremonies for the event said, “ERfC is a tremendous community partner with Enfield. The services and programming provided by ERfC results in positive youth development in our children, keeps kids safe both before and after school, and allows for families to be productively employed.  Their commitment to our community is second to none!”

“Please join me by attending this event to help ERfC meet and exceed this wonderful challenge that will support and grow the Scholarship Fund,” Kaupin added.

 The keynote speaker for the event will be Enfield native Paula Apruzzese Long, a 1979 graduate of Enrico Fermi High School in Enfield. Long has been delivering game-changing, high-tech innovations for over 30 years.  She co-founded EqualLogic, which was acquired by Dell in 2008 for $1.4 billion—the biggest buyout of a private tech company at the time.  Long is now a founder and CEO of DataGravity, currently in stealth mode startup.

Apruzzese-Desroches said Paula will share her road to success with those who attend the event.  “She strongly believes it is a community responsibility to provide a variety of learning opportunities for Enfield children so they have opportunities and experiences after school that gives them tools to be creative and successful adults,” she added.  Apruzzese-Desroches is Long’s sister, president of the First Readers Association in Enfield, and an ERfC Board advisor. 

Joe’s Fine Wine & Spirits from East Windsor will provide wine and beer tasting throughout the evening. There will be a selection of delicious appetizers, fresh-baked desserts, and beverages available throughout the evening.  Live entertainment will be provided throughout the evening by cellist Alan Ballinger and violinist Dana Lyons, members of the Garnet String Trio, and jazz pianist, Jim Markey, formerly of the band Quaver.

ERfC is a community-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been providing out-of-school time activities for the Enfield community since 1994. ERfC serves over 400 Enfield children and families in a variety of programs.

ERfC School-Age Centers provide before and after school activities for six elementary schools and JFK Middle School.  Additional programs include Summer Escape, a 6-week summer camp program; Vacation Destination, open when school is closed on non-federal holidays; KidZ Sports, a health and instructional skill building program; Summer Lunch Bunch, a free 9-week program that provides summer lunches for children and parents; and Tonight in Thompsonville, a monthly school-year program that provides a free family dinner and educational programming in collaboration with community businesses, organizations, and local service providers.

Tickets for the event are $50.00 per person and may be purchased online at www.erfc.us by clicking on the link for Wine & Beer Tasting under Upcoming Events.  Tickets are also available at the ERfC administrative office at 50 Post Office Road in Enfield. Office hours are 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM.  For more information, including sponsorship opportunities and donations, please email info@erfc.us or call the administrative office at 860-253-9935.