Submitted by Kathleen Amoia
(April 24, 2025) — The Killingworth Community Fund at Community Foundation of Middlesex County is planning a combination fundraiser and thank-you to our supporters. The picnic event will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. until sunset, and is being hosted by the Oppenheimers at School Marm’s Farm Orchard and Trails, 153 Iron Works Road in Killingworth.
Tickets are $25, and children 10 and under are free. A rain date has been set for Thursday, June 12, 2025. The Farm’s orchard and trails offer great spaces to walk and explore. In keeping with KCF’s commitment to community, the picnic will be catered by The Kitchen at Futures, Inc., an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for independent living for people with disabilities.
In addition, as part of the event, a Pop-Up Grant has been presented to the HK Little League Challenger Division. The LL Challenger Division is an adaptive baseball program for children with physical and intellectual challenges.
(Photo above left to right: Noah Perley, a Buddy; Lauren Perley Director of HKLL Challenger Division; Annie Stirna KFC Committee member; and Corbin Verinis. Photo by Alex Verinis)
The grant was presented this April, at a Sheldon Field practice session, to Lauren Perley, a Board member of Haddam Killingworth Little League and Director of the Challenger League. Perley explained that the program incorporates a peer modeling format. “Buddies” are individuals who assist Challenger athletes as needed. The grant is being used to help fund the program, which is free to participants, and to purchase safe equipment.
The picnic at School Marm’s Farm Orchard and Trails has been generously sponsored by Turnbridge Killingworth, a Youth Residential Rehabilitation Center whose motto is “Build a Life Worth Protecting.” Other sponsors who consistently step up in support of KCF fundraising events are WJ Financial Advisors and Cloutier and Cassella, Attorneys at Law.
This year we are pleased to announce additional sponsors: Lover’s Lane Farm of Killingworth; Connecticut Burn Care Foundation; and Janice and Jerry Markham. We extend a hearty “Thank You” to all. Sponsor generosity contributes to the long-term health and vibrancy of the Killingworth community and underpins KCF’s ability to “Support Killingworth, Today and Tomorrow.”
Reservations are requested by Thursday, May 29, 2025 at bit.ly/2025-kcf-rsvp or by calling CFMC at 860-347-0025.
