The Community Cup – an annual golf competition and fundraiser organized by the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce and new this year with the Rotary Club of New Canaan – was recently contested at the Country Club of New Canaan (October 2, 2019). In keeping with the Chamber’s mission of Connecting Community with Commerce, Rand Insurance, the presenting sponsor is donating prize money for the three teams with the lowest net score to the local nonprofit of each foursomes’ choosing – a real win-win!
The goal of the Community Cup is not only to create an opportunity to mix and mingle with business and community leaders but also to raise funds to support the local nonprofits and community events produced by the New Canaan Chamber and Rotary Club throughout the year.
First place went to Team Rotary Club – Bill Walbert, Bob Doran, Jim Bartlett and Rick Worden played an outstanding round. They have chosen to donate back to the Rotary Club of New Canaan which is celebrating its 60th year as part of a global organization of over 1.2 million members whose motto is “Service above Self.” Their mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through their fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Second place was the team from the New Canaan Dance Academy – Kristin Dolan, Kristan Mountain, Mike Sieckhaus and Steven Valiquette. They have chosen to donate their winnings to New Canaan CARES, a New Canaan based nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the health and well-being of youth and families in our community. CARES provides responsive educational programs that support and strengthen parenting skills, positive youth development, and healthy lifestyles – free of charge.
Third Place was Team Southend – Nick Martschenko, Jim Taubner, Kevin Ryan and Mike Ward. Their charity of choice is the newly formed organization called The Founder’s Terrace at God’s Acre. In an effort to memorialize the importance of God’s Acre, a committee was formed to plan for the construction of a terrace at the upper level of God’s Acres – to honor and protect the natural green space of God’s Acre by providing one consistent gathering place without wear and tear on the remaining grass area.
“Rand Insurance has been a community partner in New Canaan for over three decades when we were looking for a lead sponsor for this year’s Community Cup Golf Event, they stepped up right away” said Tucker Murphy, Executive Director of The New Canaan Chamber of Commerce.
“As part of our corporate mission, we make it our business to take an active role in events that benefit the local communities where we live and work. The opportunity to support the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club was not a tough decision – especially when we can include so many other local non-profits with the prize winnings.” – Meredith Bach, Director of Marketing at RAND Insurance.