This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Calvanese Foundation: A Rock in Southington's Service Sector

Whether behind the scenes or through direct events, the Calvanese Foundation is helping make life better throughout the community.

Established in 1996, the Joe & Kay Calvanese Foundation is a remarkable benefactor of community needs. The foundation has served as a rock in the volunteer community, serving multiple sectors including children, youth, families, seniors, the hungry, homeless, afflicted and disadvantaged in all walks of life. But the group goes beyond, supporting projects that improve our community’s quality of life.

A peek at the organization’s website shows the wide reach of the Calvanese Foundation, which partners with other non-profit groups including Southington Community Services, Bread for Life, the YMCA, STEPS, Calendar House Senior Center and many more.

Calvanese Foundation Secretary Kathryn Reinhard is also deeply involved in the hands on work of many of these organizations.

“We reach out to the community in a variety of ways, where help is needed.” Reinhard said. “We offer grants to support the student breakfast program in our school system; we made a $25,000 grant to Parks & Recreation to help construct a new pavilion at Recreation Park.”

The Calvanese Foundation also supports the All Night Graduation Party for seniors at Southington High School, and awards three annual nursing scholarships and scholarships to the Manes ’n’ Motion program for autistic and special needs children of Southington.

How does the Calvanese Foundation support its programs?

“We go to the people and the business community of Southington with three fundraisers each year.” Reinhard said.

The largest is coming up this week when the foundation celebrates its 13th Annual Gala Ball and Auction at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on April 2.

Cocktails, deluxe hors d’oeuvres and silent auction at 6:30 p.m., with dinner and dancing from 8:30 pm. Black-tie is preferred at this always magnificent event, which costs $180 per couple. The Carnival theme will feature bright and glittering colors and Brazilian fare.

The second fundraiser is the Beer & Wine Festival in July. The oldest fundraiser, the Golf Tournament, is held at the Southington Country Club in September.

Last year the three events raised about $100,000, Reinhard said.

“The foundation is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. The money is raised in Southington and stays here for the needs of its people,” she said.

“Calvanese has helped us with funding towards our Computer Learning Center, the construction of an outdoor pavilion, a bus, and our golf tournament,” said Robert Vererame, executive director of the Calendar House. “Their recent grant towards our new osteoporosis workshop starts in the fall.”

Rooted in the life time of community service of Joe & Kay Calvanese, the children carry on their work in the tradition of their parents while the next generation is being groomed to continue it.

“What an amazing experience it was to work with Kathy Reinhard and the foundation,” said Trish Kenefick, seventh-grade social studies teacher at DePaolo School. “They’ve supported our anti-drug and other social programs. They sponsored our robotics program, in the Lego League Competition. The kids had to learn the programs, work as a team and develop their presentation.”

“Our school won the Connecticut state competition eight times. Without the support of Kathy and her team, that wouldn’t have happened. Giving people like Kathy are few and far between,” Kenefick said.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without the Calvanese Foundation,” said Janet Mellon, director of Southington Community Services. “Their team, led by Kathy Reinhard, gave of their time and financial support to make the renovated old firehouse ready for us to occupy. Their crew manages our Christmas gifts program, serving 1,600 individuals.”

“Kathy has run my office for two weeks at a time: when I went to New Orleans for the Katrina disaster, and when I went to Ground Zero to help and train. Kathy is an incredible asset to this town.”

“The Calvanese Foundation is a great partner in fulfilling community needs. When asked they serve,” said John Myers, executive director of the Southington-Cheshire YMCA. “Their support validates the work. When they’re involved, people know a project is real.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?