Dec 19-Jan 20 Advisor

GIVING

DECEMBER 2019 – JANUARY 2020 CEA ADVISOR 17

2019 HOLIDAY BEAR CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS Gifts collected for 600+ children

The 21st annual Holiday Bear gift- giving campaign is a wrap, with hundreds of gifts collected for public school children throughout the state. A project of the Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF)— CEA’s charitable arm—Holiday Bear brightens the holidays each year for children in need. More than 600 students whose families are facing unexpected hardships were nominated by their teachers this year to receive gifts through the Holiday Bear program. Gifts and monetary donations were collected through December 2 and will be distributed in time for the holidays. More than 10,000

Connecticut public school students have benefited from the holiday program since it began, in 1998. The Quinnipiac Future Teachers Organization, a chapter of the CEA Aspiring Educators program, was among the generous sponsors of this year’s project. QFTO President Elissabeth Daniele says, “We have been participating in this event for years, and it is one of our favorite traditions! Knowing that we are making our sponsored children feel special and loved this holiday season just warms our hearts. No child should go a holiday without some cheer! Our members volunteer by shopping for gifts for children, and

CEF President Tom Nicholas talks to iHeart Radio’s Renee DiNino about how community members can contribute to Holiday Bear.

then we host a wrapping party during our weekly meeting. We blast holiday music, project a Yule log, and have hot chocolate. At the end of the hour, we have a pile of gifts for each child, and it’s such a sweet sight to see. It definitely gets us in the holiday spirit!” Employees of CEA-endorsed USI Insurance also came through with sponsorships that will make the holidays brighter for 20

Quinnipiac Future Teachers Organization Secretary Megan Cunneen (left) and QFTO President Elissabeth Daniele drop off their

holiday haul at CEA’s Hartford office.

schoolchildren. “This program is near and dear to us,” says USI sales manager Cindy Miner. “We are proud of the deep roots we have in our communities, and our employees have a passion for

getting involved, volunteering their time and talent, and creating a positive impact for Connecticut’s teachers and children.” To learn more, visit cea.org/cef/ holiday-bear .

Employees of CEA-endorsed USI Insurance sponsored 20 children.

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