CEA_Summer 2023 Advisor

FUNDRAISING

8 CEA ADVISOR SUMMER 2023

CHAMPIONS TEACHERS ARE FOR CHILDREN At the 28th Annual Hands Across the Green Tournament

Under blue skies, with a warm breeze across the green, more than 150 Connecticut teachers, supporters, and CEA leaders and staff hit the links at Glastonbury Hills Country Club on July 24 as part of CEA’s largest fundraiser of the year to benefit public school students. The Connecticut Education Foundation’s (CEF) 28th annual Hands Across the Green Golf Tournament raised thousands of dollars to help disadvantaged children and provide relief for teachers facing extraordinary hardships. “So many of our members know students whose families can’t afford the basics,” says CEF President and CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey. “We have students who need eyeglasses, sleeping bags, uniforms, hearing aids, school supplies, and more. The absence of those essentials can be a real barrier to a child’s learning and development, and educators are often the ones reaching into their own pockets to ensure their students are cared for. Hands Across the Green raises money to make that kind of assistance possible.” DeLancey points out that all school districts—even in the most affluent communities—have children in need, and educators are in a unique position to know where those gaps exist and reach out to CEF for help. Among the day’s players were special education teachers, preK through high school classroom educators, school social workers and counselors, and physical education and health teachers, all of whom know students in different ways. “Working together in our schools and out here, we make lives better for so many children,” says DeLancey, who credits the tournament’s players, sponsors, and volunteers for making Hands Across the Green a success each year. In its 28-year history, the tournament has raised more than a million dollars for needy children in Connecticut’s public schools.

Good company, good cause “I love supporting the good work of the Connecticut Education Foundation,” says Greenwich Education Association President Lil Perone. “Taking care of teachers and students is what CEA is all about.” “It’s such a great cause, and I’m proud to represent Suffield,” says social studies teacher Mike Barile. Shelton High School social studies teacher and building rep Mike DeFelice agrees. “It’s a nice way to give back.” Recently retired teacher Theresa McKeown, who served as president of her local union, adds, “It’s the right thing to do. In West Hartford, we have a lot of kids who have benefited from The Children’s Fund. Our district and so many

CEF

others have families newly arrived from other countries who may not have all the resources they need. Eyeglasses and winter coats are a big need we’ve seen every year.” The West Hartford Education Association was a major sponsor of this year’s tournament. “Our local has been participating in the tournament since its inception, and we’re happy to carry the torch,” said Ashford teacher Chris Busse. “This fund has helped a child in our district whose glasses were broken and has come to the aid of a family who lost their belongings in a house fire.” Some of this year’s players—like fellow Ashford educator Bernie Schreiber, now retired—have never missed a year, like other decades-long veterans who plan summer vacations around the tournament. Cheshire eighth grade science teacher John Runte and Waterbury Teachers’ Association President Kevin Egan have been coming out to Hands Across the Green for more than 20 years. “It’s a great time,” says Runte, “and I look forward to it every summer.” “They add new elements every year to make it more and more fun,” says Egan. “It just keeps getting better.”

Top: CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey welcome players to the 28th annual Hands Across the Green. Above: East Hartford and Windsor teachers bring their A game and energy to the tournament.