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Community Corner

Wine & Beer Tasting Fundraiser April 23 For Local Area Child Abuse Prevention Projects

On Wednesday, April 23 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., the Waterbury Exchange Club Charitable Foundation will present their 20th Annual Wine & Beer Tasting Fundraiser at La Bella Vista at the Ponte Club at 380 Farmwood Road in Waterbury. The event helps raise funds for the organization’s ongoing child abuse prevention projects and to help area families. Event chairpersons Virginia O’Rourke Cookson, president of the Exchange Club, and owner of O’Rourke & Birch Florists in Waterbury, and Cathy Chaikowski of Webster Bank in Waterbury, stated that the wines and beers will be provided by Good Life Wine & Spirits in Waterbury and chocolates by Fascia’s Chocolates, Inc. in Waterbury. 

A long-standing community organization chartered in 1948, the Exchange Club of Waterbury is a service-oriented non-profit group focused on personal and professional development, building a healthy society, and aiding local-area families and children. The funds raised from the Waterbury Exchange Club Charitable Foundation’s April 23 event will be dedicated directly to the efforts and programs of the Exchange Club and their continual fight against child abuse. O’Rourke-Cookson stated, “All proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the Exchange Club’s important child abuse prevention programs.”

Sponsorships are currently available for the event ranging from Gold to Bronze, $1,000 to $250. Chaikowski explained, “All sponsor names will be prominently displayed at the event and included in advertising and promotional materials.  Also, Gold sponsors will receive 10 complimentary tickets, Silver sponsors, 5 complimentary tickets, and Bronze sponsors, 2 complimentary tickets.”

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In addition to the tasting of various wines and beers provided by Good Life Wine & Spirits and chocolates provided by Fascia’s Chocolates, Inc., the event will feature hors d’oeuvres and food stations. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a raffle. Donations of raffle prize items are welcome by contacting Lucille Parsons at 203-518-2401 or email lparsons@wessonenergy.com.

Tickets for the April 23 fundraiser are $30/person before that date and $35 at the door the night of the event. To secure tickets in advance, call Ginny O’Rourke Cookson at 203-756-7857 or 203-206-8338, or Cathy Chaikowski at Webster Bank at 203-598-2438 or email to cchaikowski@websterbank.com.

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Reservations can also be secured by mailing checks, payable to The Waterbury Exchange Club Charitable Foundation, Inc., to Ginny O’Rourke Cookson, c/o O’Rourke & Birch Florists, 170 Freight Street, Waterbury, CT 06702.


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