Farmington Community Chest Supports a Day of Creativity at the 2026 Maker Fair

A Celebration of All Things Hands-On at the Farmington Library

On a Sunday afternoon in March, the Farmington Library felt less like a quiet place for books and more like the creative heartbeat of the community.


The 2026 Maker Fair brought together local artisans, families, and curious minds of all ages for an interactive, hands-on experience that turned the library into a space for making, experimenting, and connecting. From coding to Lego® building to kite making, the event showcased people coming together, sharing what they love, and inviting others to get involved in the process.


The Farmington Community Chest was proud to support that spirit, granting $1,000 to help bring the Maker Fair to life.


“This event is such a natural extension of what the library stands for,” said Farmington Libraries Executive Director Jocelyn Kennedy. “It’s about access, creativity, and giving people the opportunity to explore something new in a welcoming space. Support from organizations like the Farmington Community Chest makes it possible for us to offer programming like this to the entire community.”


And that accessibility was on full display. Throughout the afternoon, the library buzzed with activity as visitors moved from table to table, trying their hand at new skills, asking questions, and engaging directly with the people behind the work. Some of the activities included needle felting, 3-D printing, robotics, making your own boats, constellation creation, and more. Local businesses, and organizations including Winding Trails, the Farmington Land Trust, and Jackson Labs were all on hand to lend their expertise. 


It’s that interaction that sets the Maker Fair apart. This isn’t a passive experience. It’s one where creativity feels approachable, where kids and adults alike are encouraged to jump in, get their hands involved, and maybe even surprise themselves.


For the Farmington Community Chest, supporting events like the Maker Fair is exactly the point.

“Our mission has always been about strengthening the Farmington community in tangible ways,” said Chris Andrews, President of the Farmington Community Chest. “When we can help create opportunities for people to come together, learn something new, and connect with one another, that’s a meaningful investment. The Maker Fair is a perfect example of that in action.”


In a time when so much of daily life happens behind screens, there’s something refreshing about an event centered on making something real, whether that’s a piece of art, a technology project, or simply a shared experience between people of different generations.



The Maker Fair is a reminder that creativity doesn’t belong to a select few. It lives in the community, in the willingness to try, and in spaces like the Farmington Library that make it all feel possible. Thanks to the collaboration between local organizations, makers, and supporters, it’s an experience that continues to grow, year after year.

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FCC Helps Nourish Neighbors in Need

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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/

Saving Lives - One Grant at a Time

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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.