Donations from 1st Annual WeHa Whiskey Festival presented to Camp Courant, Town that Cares

WEST HARTFORD – Representatives of the Town That Cares Fund as well as Camp Courant received a dose of holiday cheer Dec. 13 when they each received a check for $4,500 from the 1st Annual WeHa Whiskey Festival. The presentations were made at Maximum Beverage, organizer and co-sponsor of the Oct. 26 event.

“We’re very pleased at how the community responded to the festival in its first year and are happy to have raised $9,000 for the charities,” Maximum Beverage Managing Partner Seth Goldstein said. “Our second annual event will be even bigger in 2014 and we look forward to raising additional funds.”

The donation comes just in time for the Town That Cares Holiday Children’s Party, where gift cards are presented to parents to shop for their kids.

“The funds will not only be used for our holiday party but also for programs throughout the year,” said Suzanne M. Oslander, community partnerships manager for the town’s Department of Human and Leisure Services. “We are so grateful that Maximum Beverage included us as a beneficiary.”

The department oversees the Town That Cares, a special fund that helps West Hartford residents experiencing a crisis situation that hinders their ability to pay for utility bills, food, shelter costs, medical expenses, other critical needs and special programs.

“We’re also working on keeping homes warm this winter, and are truly appreciative of this donation,” Oslander said.

“The money will go a long way in serving children during the summer of 2014 and making a difference in their lives,” Camp Courant Executive Director and CEO Josh Reeves said.

The largest free day camp in the nation, the organization sends 600 Hartford children ages 5 through 12 to camp for six weeks, providing round-trip transportation from Hartford to the Farmington campsite and two nutritious meals a day. A variety of recreational, educational, and cultural programs are offered as well as health screenings.

The 1st Annual WeHa Whiskey Festival, held Oct. 26 in the Town Hall Auditorium, was sponsored by Chivas Regal, Dewar’s, Glenlivet, Hartford Advocate, Hartford Magazine, Knob Creek, Maximum Beverage, and Radio 104.1 FM.

The event featured 150 brands of whiskey, bourbon and scotch for tasting and hors d’oeuvres provided by Highland Park Market as well as a raffle, a silent auction and a restaurant battle pitting creations using Jameson Irish Whiskey. The winner was Tisane.

“The energy in the room was fantastic,” Reeves said.

“It’s all about community partnerships and coming together to help people in need,” Oslander said.