Wings and Wheels event donates $24K to two nonprofits
Posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2015 9:35 pm
PLAINVILLE — Wings and Wheels organizers awarded $12,000 each to the Plainville Community Food Pantry and the Petit Family Foundation this week.
In a ceremony Tuesday, Wings and Wheels, a group that holds an annual festival at Robertson Airport, presented the checks to the two local nonprofits. The fourth annual Wings and Wheels festival was held June 13.
Chairman Scott Saunders said the event this year took some time to get off the ground because of rain, but was still able to draw a good-sized crowd.
Reggie L’Heureux, president of the Bristol Auto Club, which sponsors Wings and Wheels, said the event was also pushed forward a week so as not to conflict with a breast cancer awareness event at Bristol Eastern High School.
Organizers were able to raise a total of $24,000, which was divided evenly between the two nonprofit organizations. The event has raised close to $100,000 for both groups since its inception.
“Thank you everyone for your hard work,” said Susie Woerz, director of the Plainville Community Food Pantry. “Everything is really appreciated.”
“Wings and Wheels has maybe eight or 10 people in its core group,” said Petit. “For such a small group, you are extremely dedicated individuals that make a lot happen. Despite the fact that some say the economy is getting better, the requests for food, money and assistance aren’t going down. We are probably on track to be giving out $400,000 this year and it is thanks to folks like you that it is possible. We are fighting an uphill battle and you have done an amazing job for us. We really appreciate it.”
Town Manager Robert E. Lee said Wings and Wheels is a great community event.
“These types of events like Wings and Wheels and the Balloon Festival are really what distinguish us as a town and make us what we are,” he said. “Wings and Wheels is a good opportunity for the whole town to get out, see the airport and raise money for two important, top-notch charities. Both have served this town for many years and I’m not sure what we’d do without them.”
Brian M. Johnson can be reached at (860) 584-0501, EXT. 1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.