Farmington Community Chest Awards 2026 Scholarships

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

One of the most rewarding parts of the Farmington Community Chest’s work is investing in the future of our community. While many people know the Community Chest for supporting programs that address food insecurity, heating assistance, youth services, and senior support, educational scholarships have long been an important part of the organization’s mission. Each year, these awards help local students take the next step toward their goals, whether that means attending a four-year college, pursuing a career in healthcare, or entering a skilled trade.


On May 19, the Farmington Community Chest proudly awarded scholarships to five outstanding local students during a presentation recognizing their hard work, dedication, and future aspirations. This year’s recipients included:


M. Greg Chellgren RN Memorial Scholarship
A four-year renewable scholarship of $1,000 per year awarded to a student pursuing nursing or a medical field:

  • Keane Murphy


General Scholarships
Two $2,000 scholarships awarded to students attending a four-year college or university:

  • Zoe-Eliza Addy
  • Rocco Guglielmo


Vocational Scholarships
Two $2,000 scholarships awarded to students pursuing a vocational or technical path:

  • Isiah Richardson
  • Lukas Montelius


For Paula Seapan, a Farmington Community Chest board member who presented the awards, the evening carried special significance.


“As both a board member and the parent of a graduating senior, this year’s scholarship presentation felt especially meaningful,” said Seapan. “These students have worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone, and it’s inspiring to see the many different paths they are choosing to pursue. On behalf of the Farmington Community Chest, we are honored to play a small role in supporting their futures.”


The scholarships reflect the Community Chest’s broader commitment to strengthening the Farmington and Unionville community through investments in health, education, and quality of life. Funded through the generosity of local donors and supported by a dedicated volunteer board, the scholarship program helps ensure that deserving students have additional resources as they begin the next chapter of their lives.



As the Farmington Community Chest approaches its 95th year of service, supporting the next generation remains as important as ever. Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients, and best wishes for continued success in all that lies ahead.

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It’s a quiet and pressing problem in Farmington—many families are struggling to feed themselves. And it’s why the Farmington Community Chest (FCC) has been a significant supporter of the Farmington Food Pantry. “Hunger may be less visible in Farmington than other communities, but it is still a reality for the many individuals and families who are unable to put enough food on the table,” said Amy Palumbo, president of FCC. Now one of FCC’s recent grants is having a profound impact. Christina Ramsay, president of the Farmington Food Pantry explained, “Our grant from FCC enabled us to purchase a commercial refrigerator and freezer. These large appliances mean we can now sustain and stockpile more food for the hungry. This has made a huge difference to our clients. We are thrilled, especially because the number of people we serve keeps growing.” There used to be a limit on items, such as meat, milk, yogurt, eggs and frozen goods, that the food pantry could store. Turning away food donations due to our limitations was frankly heartbreaking according to Ramsay. She added, “With the expanded refrigerated storage, the pantry is much better able to collect, store, and distribute food.” “FCC is really pleased with our grant’s impact. And there’s a lesson to be learned—meaningful things can be accomplished when local organizations collaborate and examine needs together,” said Amy Palumbo, president of FCC. FCC’s annual financial support of the Farmington Food Pantry helps nourish neighbors in need. Annual grants from FCC have helped broaden the reach of the pantry, according to Ramsay. Currently, 200 families from Farmington and Unionville depend on the pantry, which is located in Amistad Hall on Main Street. More than 30 people volunteer to keep the pantry’s complex gears operating. Volunteer Robin Balboni said, “We love the clients. We do everything we can to provide a confidential, respectful, and welcoming environment.” Ramsay said that the only thing the pantry knows about its clients is that they need our help. She explained that approximately 1,500 pounds of food are distributed on each of the seven days that the pantry is open every month. While FCC is a critical funder of the pantry, there are others. Ramsay emphasized that the pantry could not succeed without its long list of partners. Examples are Foodshare, Gifts of Love, Highland Park Market, Shop Rite of Bristol, and Stop and Shop. The pantry also receives fresh donations from Sub-Edge Farms, Hien Farms, Maple Hill Farms, and Jillybean’s Farmstand. “There is no understating the impact of our partners. Foodshare is essential, but each partner is literally helping to provide a food lifeline to people who are food insecure in our community,” said Ramsey. Details about when, where and how to access pantry help is found here: https://www.ffpct.org/

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It seems like a stretch to say that the efforts of a small non-profit like the Farmington Community Chest can potentially save lives. But FCC’s grant to the Farmington Fire Department to purchase thermal imaging cameras proves that FCC’s capacity to potentially save lives is no exaggeration. The new thermal imaging cameras mean that town firefighters now have the latest technology to find fire victims, identify a fire’s hotspots/spread, and target firefighting efforts and resources quickly and effectively. “The thermal cameras are life-saving,” says Russ Nelson, Fire Chief of the East Farms Station. Because the thermal imaging cameras measure heat, they can find people in a completely dark room. Nelson calls the cameras an innovation that the department couldn’t secure through the town’s budget process. But, he says, now he and his firefighting colleagues can “thrive” with the new technology provided by the thermal imaging cameras. On April 8, 2019, FCC President Amy Palumbo presented the $13,300.00 check that funds cameras for each of the town stations. “We know these cameras are indispensable. They should give town residents a new sense of security in the event of a fire. We also hope town residents, businesses, and others will see the FCC grant for this technology as an impetus to add FCC to their list of charitable giving.” Fire officials agree. “This gift from FCC should be resonating with town residents. It’s outstanding that their firefighters now have it. And it’s outstanding that the Farmington Community Chest is here to support all of us,” says Chief Nelson.