Foundation Observing Fire Prevention Week

October 1, 2020 (New Britain, Conn.) – In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, taking place each year during the week of October 9 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871. This year, Fire Prevention Week will take place October 4-October 10 with a focus on kitchen safety.

In observance of Fire Prevention week, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) is requesting donations from individuals and community organizations in order to continue responding appropriately to what the Berlin, New Britain, Plainville, and Southington communities may need during times of local emergency. The CFGNB Greater New Britain Disaster Response Fund (GNBDRF)  is a fund that the community can contribute to prior to or in time of crisis and will provide funds to the towns for affected residents in a responsible manner.

“This fund has been an excellent resource for families who have experienced displacement due to house fires. It has assisted two families with hotel stays as they awaited building inspection to either move back into their house or find another apartment that was available. It was beneficial for these families, as they didn’t have to exhaust their funds on hotel costs,” said Mallory Deprey, City of New Britain’s Community Services Program Administrator. “The fund has also helped to cover a security deposit for a family who was staying in a hotel for almost a month as they waited for their Section-8 housing worker to help identify another suitable house. The security deposit was the only thing preventing them from moving into stable housing. Thanks to the Community Foundation’s Disaster Response Fund, these families didn’t have to worry about added expenses during a very difficult time in their lives.”

The purpose of the GRNDRF is to make resources available to local government community service departments and crisis coordinators to meet the basic needs of residents from our four-town community who are displaced from their homes for an extended period of time due to a natural disaster, such as a house fire. Funds may also be used to support individual municipalities for basic food and shelter expenses related to temporarily supporting residents displaced due to a natural disaster. Natural disaster incidents include fire, flood and other weather related emergencies. Locally last year, the Fund helped three families in New Britain and another family in Southington with support of over $3,500.

If you are interested in making a gift to the Disaster Relief Fund, you may send checks to 74A Vine Street, New Britain, CT 06052 with “Disaster Fund” in the memo, or visit www.cfgnb.org/donate-now and choose the fund from the drop down screen. If you have any questions regarding the fund, please contact Joeline Wruck, Director of Community Initiatives, at 860.229.6018 ex. 307 or jwruck@cfgnb.org.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.