Wine Event To Fund Endowment At       Western  Connecticut

BETHEL – The Caraluzzi family, owners of the Bethel Food Market and Nutmeg Discount Liquors, will sponsor a series of fundraising events to increase their permanent scholarship endowment created this spring to Western Connecticut State University. The first event, an exclusive holiday wine tasting extravaganza, will take place at the University.

The “Holiday Wine Tasting Experience” will be held in the President’s Reception Room at the Westside Campus from 3 to 7 pm on Sunday, November 14. More than 100 wines from around the world and elegant hors d’oeuvres will be served. Musical entertainment of the season will also be provided. Donations are $25, and reservations can be made by calling 203/837-8298 before November 8.

This party is the first scholarship endowment fundraiser held on site at the university to encourage members of the business community to take an active interest in supporting the school and other public, private and community opportunities for higher learning.

The Caraluzzi family has been a local business success story for three generations. To honor the legacy of founders Anthony Sr and Julia Caraluzzi’s 50 years of community service and help support future businesses, the family has established their permanent $100,000 endowment at Western Connecticut State University. This fund will be matched by a $50,000 grant from the Connecticut State Matching Grant Program.

“We’ve worked very hard, as a family, and as a team, and have never taken our customers or community for granted,” said Anthony Caraluzzi, Jr. “Perhaps this ongoing contribution will help students start their own businesses in the area.”

Scholarships will be made available to area students, with special consideration to Bethel Food Market employees, as well as students from around the region with a 3.5 grade point average. The Caraluzzi’s gift underscores the changing trend in gift giving.

According to Michael T. Driscoll, director of development at WestConn, “A new trend is donating to small state universities to give local students a chance. Traditionally, contributors have donated more to private institutions. Many businesses and individuals are now reaching out to a population of students who never received financial help before by making contributions to state schools.”

Business owners are beginning to realize that when you make a donation to a state school, you’re ultimately helping to improve the local quality of life, because many of the graduates will stay in the community. After graduation they live and work in the area, which is bound to help local economies,” he added.