Jewish Community Foundation Receives $1 Million Bequest

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford has received a $1 million advanced distribution from the estate of Isadore Gershman, who died in January at age 85. An additional $3 million distribution is expected from the estate.

Gershman’s bequest will be used to create an unrestricted community fund that will address a broad range of local needs and enable the foundation to respond to the community’s most pressing needs.

Gershman was the principal bank examiner for the state of Connecticut. He was known for his caring and easy going manner and was kind to everyone, according to a release from the Jewish Community Foundation.

Gershman was born in Hartford and was a graduate of Wesleyan University with a B.A. and Harvard University with an M.B.A.

• • •

After 26 years, eastern Connecticut has a unified voice for local philanthropy. The Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut, serving New London and 10 other towns, has merged with the Community Foundation of the Tri-County Area, which serves Norwich, Windham, and 29 other towns in northeast Connecticut. The merged community foundation, keeping the name of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut, with a Tri-County division, covers the largest physical area of any of the state’s 18 community foundations. It serves 42 of the state’s 169 cities and towns.

• • •

Blue Back Square recently hosted the region’s first indoor triathlon, “Give it a Tri” at New York Sports Club, for Jocelyn’s Run, a new local charity for autism awareness. The event, which attracted 60 participants and raised $3,370 consisted of 15 minutes of swimming, 30 minutes of stationary biking and 30 minutes of running or walking on a treadmill. Sponsors included Wal-Mart of East Windsor, Big Y, Moe’s, Brueggers Bagels, Besito Restaurant, It’s a Grind, Highland Park Market of Manchester, Integrated Rehab, Max Muscle and the practice of Drs. Farley &.Garceau.

• • •

Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) and its employees have donated $5,135 to Foodshare. Jeff Butler, president and chief operating officer of CL&P, presented the check to Gloria McAdam, president and CEO of Foodshare, during a visit to Foodshare’s main facility in Bloomfield. CL&P contributed $1,500 in addition to the $3,635 that employees raised through various fundraisers.

including CL&P’s “Carts for a Cause,” which collect cash, food and other essential items for food pantries and shelters.

• • •

When a line of violent thunderstorms swept through Connecticut last July, a lightning bolt struck Bill Poldony’s home in Manchester. The result, according to Battalion Chief Dan Huppe of the Manchester Fire Department, was a 30-foot ball of flame that destroyed the home. A happier outcome was the rescue of Poldony by Unique, his Fidelco guide dog. On March 4, Unique was honored with the Animal Rescue Hero’s award by the American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter at its annual breakfast ceremony at the Farmington Marriott. As the lights in Poldony’s home went out at 10 p.m. and fire began to consume the structure, Unique led the legally blind man from the back of his home to the foyer where he was met by Huppe and the Manchester Fire Department.

• • •

Over the Feb. 26-28 weekend, radio station the River 105.9 held a special Pay for Play weekend to benefit Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and raised nearly $25,000 for Connecticut Children’s new Clinical Care Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. During the weekend, 105.9 listeners were able to request any song they wanted in exchange for a donation to Connecticut Children’s.