Chamber Foundation Celebrates Record-Breaking Fundraiser

Pictured: 2024 Holiday Gala Committee

Link to full event photo gallery: Chamber ECT Facebook

Uncasville, CT - The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation’s 39th Annual Holiday Gala took place on December 13 at the Mohegan Sun. The festive event gathered nearly 350 attendees in support of the charity’s mission to provide educational and economic funding opportunities for organizations assisting the children, families, and communities of eastern Connecticut; approximately $125,000 ($15k more than 2023) was raised between event ticket sales, the three auctions (ticket, silent, live), appeals, and sponsorships for the Foundation’s 2025 funding pool.

Auction management software GiveSmart and band String of Pearls both literally and figuratively set the stage for gala upgrades. The digital component and instrumentalists played a pivotal role in a seamless, entertaining evening leading up to a special occasion; towards the end of the program, Tommy Toy Fund and the Chamber Foundation celebrated their 50th and 30th anniversaries respectively with a cake cutting. 

Last year’s Bowl-A-Thon and Holiday Gala proceeds supported the Tommy Toy Fund plus 50 other organizations and 8 high school graduates; this year’s funds will increase that impact.  

“Our Gala’s continued success is due to the community’s unwavering support. Between our dedicated team of volunteers who see to this program from conception to completion, to our engaged auctioneers, to our long-standing partners the Mohegan Tribe and Mohegan Sun, to our generous sponsors, to all who purchase seats and bid, this collective outpouring of generosity goes a long way, impacting thousands of people across the region,” states Lou Ziegler, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board. 

Next year, the Chamber Foundation will celebrate its 40th Annual Holiday Gala. The Committee looks forward to surrounding its 2025 marketing campaign around this milestone, as it aims to achieve $3 million in funds raised by the end of the decade.

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About the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation:

The purpose of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation is to provide grants to 501(c)(3) organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service that enhance and enrich education and economic opportunities, especially for children and families, in the Chamber service area.