Daffodil Days:The Foundation’s ‘Donate For Daffodils’ campaign was launched to help fund further expansion of its town beautification project. Essex Ed helped spread the word at the 2024 annual Groundhog Day Parade organized by the Essex Board of Trade.

Valley Unified Buddies Life Skills Trip to Disney: Local area teens had the opportunity to take the ultimate life skills trip to Disney World in Florida, thanks to the organizational efforts of Valley Unified Buddies and a $10,000 grant award from The Essex Foundation. Valley Unified Buddies is a nonprofit group made up of Unified Sports, a registered program of Special Olympics, and Valley Buddies.

First Congregational’s Meal Outreach Program: The Essex Foundation Board of Directors awarded a $1000 grant to the Outreach and Justice Committee of the First Congregational Church in Essex to support the group’s community mission project. Special meals are provided to area residents who struggle to feed themselves.

2023 Elizabeth Barnes Callender and Mary Francis Barnes Memorial Scholarship: Tabitha Hardgrove of Ivoryton was the recipient of a $3000 grant award to support her environmental studies at Rochester Institute of Technology. The award is given each year to a Valley Regional High School graduating senior or an Essex resident to honor the bequest and memory of the late “Diz” Callender and her sister Mary.

Helping Equip Sensory Gym for Children with Developmental Challenges:The Essex Foundation answered a call for support from Middlesex Health’s The Mayer Center, a comprehensive service provider for children and adolescents with developmental challenges, such as autism, sensory processing disorder, speech disorders and cerebral palsy. The Foundation’s $10,000 grant helped fund equipment for the sensory gym at the new state-of-the-art facility in Essex. 

Matching Gift Campaign Supports Veterans Hall Expansion:Thanks to a tremendous outpouring of community support it took just six months to reach the $100,000 goal to fund the Essex Veterans Memorial Hall’s expansion and renovation project. Community contributions hit the $50,000 mark in March, triggering the Foundation’s $50,000 match and a celebratory check presentation at the Centerbrook site.

Helping to Stock Backpack Program Pantry: A $2000 grant was awarded to The Backpack Program, a volunteer organization that provides students identified by school social workers at Essex Elementary, John Winthrop and Valley Regional High School with nutritious food on weekends, during school vacations or when other resources are not available. The grant award was used to purchase food items such as cereal, oatmeal, breakfast bars, milk, juice, tuna, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, sauce, apples, and soup.

Ivoryton Playhouse Steps Up in Style and Safety: A $15,000 grant was awarded to help fund the design and installation of new steps, handrails, and landing at the front entrance of the theater. The project was initiated to improve patron safety while keeping within the period styling of the historic 1911 building.

2022 Elizabeth Barnes Callender and Mary Francis Barnes Memorial Scholarship: Kyra Brennan, a Chester resident, was the recipient of the $3000 award to honor the bequest and memory of the late “Diz” Callender and her sister Mary, for one local high school graduating senior or graduate, or an Essex resident who is pursuing studies related to land conservation, preservation, or environmental studies.

Helping First Responders Be Better Equipped. The Essex Foundation answered a call for support from the Essex Fire Engine Company #1. A $10,000 grant was awarded to help fund the replacement of 12 automated external defibrillator (AED) units and two Lucas chest compression systems needed to respond to heart attacks and other cardiac events that happen each year in Essex.

Sustainable Essex. The Sustainable Essex committee, a group of volunteer residents, received permission from the Town of Essex to place an electric-vehicle charging station in the Town-owned parking lot located next to the Essex Town Green and Post Office. The Foundation’s grant of $1257 put the community crowd-funded initiative over its $7042 goal, triggering another $7042 in matching funds from Sustainable CT, and the ability to purchase and install the unit in the fall of 2020.

Powering Up Veterans Memorial Hall. Funding was provided to Essex Veterans Memorial Hall in Centerbrook for the purchase and installation of a standby generator. Members of the Hall’s house committee detailed the need for backup power for the entire facility in case of prolonged power outages, and the opportunity for the Hall to be used as a comfort station by members, their guests, and the greater community.

Callender Bequest Funds Educational Opportunities. The Elizabeth Barnes Callender and Mary Francis Barnes Annual Scholarship was established in 2019 in honor of the two sisters’ commitment to land conservation and preservation. The $3000 award is given to one Valley Regional High School graduating senior or an Essex resident pursuing studies related to land conservation and preservation.

Community Preparedness. After two separate medical emergencies at First Congregational Church, members realized the need for having an automated external defibrillator (AED) on site. In addition to worship services, the church welcomes over 400 guests into the building each week for various community gatherings. The Essex Foundation, provided financial assistance for purchasing an AED and a cabinet to house it.

A Legacy Blooms. Through a generous bequest by the late Elizabeth “Diz” Callender, thousands of daffodils have been planted in and around Essex  Village. The Paul Foundation, Centerbrook Properties, and individual donors also provided funding. Sullivan Lawn Services planted the bulbs.

Essex Gateway Beautification. The multi-phased project includes the painting of the Route 9 highway bridge overpass at the intersection of Route 153 and Route 154, and the planting of Chanticleer pear trees and over 300 evergreen and perennial ornamentals in the underpass area. Funding was made possible thanks to a bequest by the late Elizabeth “Diz” Barnes Callender and her predeceased sister Mary Frances Barnes.

Essex Town Clock Repair. The Town of Essex, owner of the 158 year old town clock housed in the cupola of the First Baptist Church on Prospect Street, and The Essex Foundation agreed to co-fund the overhaul of all motion works and transmissions as well as the replacement of the strike weight rope. Connecticut Timekeepers, a Stratford-based tower clock specialist, provided the services and returned the clock to full operation. Blast-All, Inc. donated the use of the lift and lift operator.

Essex Veterans Memorial Hall Parking Lot. Financial assistance was provided to the Essex Veterans Memorial Hall to underwrite the cost of paving the gravel parking lot on the group’s property located in Centerbrook. Sullivan Paving Company, Inc. also donated their time and materials to line stripe and mark the new pavement.

Senior Housing Furnishings. The Essex Foundation was called upon to help cover the cost of furniture for the community room, game room, office, and kitchen at the newly constructed Essex Place, a 22-unit, affordable senior rental housing complex. The common areas are also used for general meetings and as a designated emergency shelter.