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Connecticut Funeral Directors Association Kicks Off Statewide Effort to Help Connecticut National Guard’s Operation E.L.F.’s Gift Card Drive

It's a fact that is faced by too many charitable causes:
Donations from the public might be plentiful during the holiday season, but sparse throughout the rest of the year when the need can be the greatest. That is why the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) is kicking off a statewide gift card collection drive to help Operation E.L.F. (Embracing Lonely Families), which provides support to families of Connecticut National Guard troops on active duty in a variety of ways.

CFDA members are stepping forward to raise awareness and donations for Operation E.L.F.'s Gift Card Program, which is managed by the Connecticut National Guard's Family Program Office. The Wethersfield, Conn.-based professional association of more than 220 funeral homes is urging its members and the public to donate gift cards purchased at stores and gas stations that will be given to families-in-need who have Connecticut National Guard members overseas. The families then can choose what everyday necessities they need most for their households.

Click here for the complete press release and find out more about how you can help!

Connecticut Funeral Directors Association Collects Toys & Funds for "Operation E.L.F."

CONTACT: Laura Soll - Conn. Funeral Directors Association 860-688-4499, Cell 860-833-4466

December 9, 2011:
Members of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) from all over the state carried in toys and checks for Operation E.L.F to the 123rd Annual CFDA Convention at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell on December 8. Operation E.L.F. (Embracing Lonely Families) helps to support the families of Connecticut National Guard troops already deployed or preparing to deploy overseas, and who also suffer financial hardship as a result of their call to active duty. Within hours, members of the 122-year-old Wethersfield-based association collected more than $2,000 in cash and toys for the cause. For more information about the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, call (860) 721-0234 or (800) 919-2332.

Pictured with some of the donated toys are (left to right):

Robert T. Rosson, Jr., CFSP, CPC, President Elect of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and a Mississippi licensed funeral director;

Pasquale Folino, CFSP, President Elect of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) and a licensed funeral director at Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Homes in New London and Niantic;

Nicole I. Granados, CFSP, CPC, 2011 President of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) and a licensed funeral director at Windsor-based Carmon Community Funeral Homes; and

John Cascio, Executive Director of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA).

RELATED STORY:
The “2006 Community Service Award” of the Connecticut Society of Association Executives (CSAE)

was presented to the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) for its fundraising efforts to help the Connecticut National Guard’s Operation E.L.F. program. The 118-year-old CFDA was honored for its year-round work in organizing funeral directors from around the state to purchase and donate gift cards from stores and gas stations. Operation E.L.F. then sends these cards to families of Connecticut National Guard stationed away from home who truly need help to make ends meet.

2006 Community Service Award

<<< PICTURED at CSAE’s Annual Meeting
(left to right):
CFDA Executive Director John F. Cascio;
CSAE Executive Director Lorna M. Bolduc, CAE;
Elsa and Jonathan P. Woyasz, CFSP, Vice President of CFDA; and
CSAE President Charles H.(Chip) Marsh, CAE.