Inside the 14th Annual March Madness Mixer

A Record-Breaking Night for Farmington Community Chest

There’s something special about a room full of people who show up not just to have a good time, but to give back while they’re at it.


That was exactly the energy at this year’s Farmington Community Chest Wine, Beer & Spirits Tasting, reimagined as the March Madness Mixer, which brought together approximately 230 attendees for an unforgettable night of community, connection, and generosity.


Held on Friday, March 27th at the Farmington Polo Club, the event delivered on all fronts. Guests enjoyed a curated selection of wine, beer, and spirits from both local Connecticut vendors and internationally recognized regions, paired with crave-worthy bites and the buzz of Sweet 16 basketball playing on the big screen.


But this wasn’t just a night out. It was a night that made an impact.


$35,000 Raised for the Community


The evening raised approximately $35,000 in support of the Farmington Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and other local initiatives.


The PBA plays a critical role in supporting officers, their families, and members of the community during times of need, making it a meaningful and fitting beneficiary of this year’s event.


A Night Built on Generosity


Throughout the evening, guests had plenty of ways to get involved beyond the tasting.


Dozens of raffle prizes and auction items, generously donated by local businesses, kept the energy high, while crowd favorites like the Cork Pull and the ever-popular wheelbarrow of wine, beer, and spirits added an extra layer of fun (and friendly competition).


And in true Farmington fashion, the night felt less like an event and more like a gathering of neighbors.


“This year’s event truly exceeded expectations,” said Chris Andrews, President of the Farmington Community Chest. “Seeing neighbors, businesses, and friends come together to enjoy the night and support one another is what this organization is all about. The generosity of this community continues to show up in a big way, and it’s something we never take for granted.”


Community Support at Every Level


Events like this don’t happen without a serious team effort.


This year’s success was made possible thanks to the support of sponsors including The Bottle Shop of Unionville, Quinoco, the Luke Roux Memorial Fund, Maple Tree Nursery, Plainville Electrical Products Co., Ron’s Automotive, and dozens of additional local partners.


The Luke Roux Memorial Fund also returned as the event’s Designated Driver Sponsor, providing Uber ride vouchers so guests could enjoy the evening safely and responsibly, because a good night out shouldn’t come with next-day regrets.


A New Benchmark for What’s Possible


Now in its 14th year, the event continues to grow, setting a new benchmark for attendance and reinforcing what makes Farmington so unique: a community that consistently shows up for one another.


About the Farmington Community Chest


The Farmington Community Chest is a volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the Farmington community through local giving. Since 1931, the organization has raised and distributed funds to support critical services, community programs, and neighbors in need. With a focus on keeping resources local and responsive, the Community Chest ensures that generosity from the community directly benefits the people who live in Farmington.



To learn more or get involved, visit https://www.farmcommchest.org 

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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.