Chris Edmonds Helps Foundation Fuel Familes

On Feb. 14, Branford Community Foundation (BCF) kicked off a new donation challenge, Foundations Fuel Families.

As BCF treasurer, Chris Edmonds will help oversee BCF's part in the $10,000 challenge grant, which matches every dollar donated in this town to help bolster Branford Counseling Center's (BCC) fuel fund assisting families in need.

Foundations Fuel Families is a combined effort of community foundations in Branford, Guilford, and Madison; each working to raise money to support fuel programs in its town. BCC's fuel fund, like those in surrounding towns, was hit with a 50 percent cut in federal funding this year. At the same time, many more residents are seeking assistance, says Chris.

"We're seeing such a greater need in this community, that in the past three years we've been concentrating on [increasing funding to] basic needs-fuel, food, shelter-by supporting programs including Branford Counseling Center, Branford Food Pantry, and the Community Dining Room."

For more than 30 years, BCF has been a source of community support. BCF gives grants to a wide range of non-profit programs supporting Branford residents in areas including basic needs, social services, health, family, education, arts and culture.

Combining efforts with other community foundations to create the Foundations Fuel Families challenge grant is an exciting new step, says Chris.

"The great thing about it is that it's collaboration with other community foundations-the sum is greater than its parts-to address these needs."

Chris, who has been BCF treasure for more than a year, joined the board in 2003. An attorney and CPA practicing in Branford, Chris is a past president of the New Haven County Bar Association, a Branford Rotary Club member, and a member of the Short Beach Hose Hook & Ladder Company 4, which he joined in 1987.

A Short Beach resident since 1985, Chris knew of BCF, but had a very interesting introduction to its board.

The father of three daughters, now aged 19 and older, Chris recalls the night, in December 2003, when his youngest rushed in to say she smelled smoke in her room.

"Her desk lamp had hit the bed covers," Chris says, adding a smoke detector he'd installed in the bedroom (not required by town code at the time) woke his daughter. The episode got Chris thinking.

"I approached Claire Bennitt, who headed Branford Community Foundation at the time, and told her I wanted to do a smoke detector awareness program. The foundation unhesitatingly thought that was a worthwhile program."

Chris helped found the program for Branford residents, which continues to this day with BCF funding the provision of Kidde smoke detectors with 10-year batteries. Chris says it's that unhesitating desire to support programs to better the lives of Branford residents that drew him to join BCF, now headed by Eunice Lasala.

He adds he's glad to help spread the word about all-volunteer BCF and the Foundations Fuel Families $10,000 challenge. He hopes residents and others will continue support efforts to fund community service non-profits in town, where "people are giving hours that aren't seen," Chris says.

"I feel so fortunate to live in the town of Branford, where so many volunteers give so freely of their time in providing countless hours of service to our community. It's the volunteers that are creating and maintaining the safety net for basic needs in this town."

To assist the Branford Community Foundation's part in the Foundations Fuel Families $10,000 fuel fund challenge, send a donation, marked "Fuel Assistance," to the Branford Community Foundation, P.O. Box 462, Branford, CT 06405. For more information on Branford Community Foundation, visit www.branfordcommunityfoundation.org.