The Women in Networking (WIN) of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce has organized its sixth annual grant fundraiser, Almost Autumn Wine Tasting on Saturday, September 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Il Palio, 5 Corporate Drive, Shelton.
This annual benefit raises funds for the WIN grant program.
The cost per person is $40 (2 for $75), which includes a wine tasting, hor d’oeuvres, door prizes, and a silent auction. For non-wine drinkers, a cash bar will be available. In addition, a discounted dinner priced at $35 per person is available at Il Palio. Advance dinner reservations can be made by calling 203 – 944-0770.
Katie Scinto, vice president of R.D. Scinto, Inc. in Shelton, is Chair of the Almost Autumn Wine Tasting.
“We are excited about hosting this popular charity benefit for the third year in a row,” Scinto said. ​“Last year we raised over $10,000 for the WIN grant and we look forward to the community supporting such a worthwhile cause again this year.”
Major sponsors of the event include: R.D. Scinto Inc. as a Reserve sponsor; and Cohen & Wolf, PC; Dworken Hillman LaMorte & Sterczala, PC; Newtown Savings Bank; and Sandler Training as Vintage sponsors. The following WIN members are volunteering on the grant fundraising committee: Annie Hathway of Oxford; Kate Zarro of Seymour; and Cara Mocarski of Shelton.
WIN is currently seeking applicants for its sixth annual Women In Networking (WIN) Entrepreneurial Grant program. This popular grant-in-aid program provides financial assistance to women 18 years or age or older in the Greater Valley area in the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. The deadline for applicants is Friday, October 8.
Since its inception, WIN has contributed over $10,000 to thirteen grant recipients. In 2007, the WIN Entrepreneurial Grant became a new named fund with the Valley Community Foundation and contributions can now be made directly to this designated fund.
Virginia DeDad, owner of Royal Service Travel in Shelton and Chair of WIN noted, ​“We are honored to be a part of the Valley Community Foundation and look forward to continuing our legacy of helping women-owned businesses in the Valley.”
Last year’s grant recipients were: Deanna Collins, owner of JD Designs, LLC in Oxford; Tami Bogart, owner of The Learning Connection in Shelton; Jacqueline Yannes of Explorers Learning Center in Seymour and Michele Gandy, owner of Michele’s Alterations & Design Elements in Ansonia.
All four grant recipients have utilized the grant in different ways. JD Designs, LLC built brand development and increased online marketing efforts for her customized jewelry line, The Gratitude Collection; The Learning Connection paid for continuing education of staff at her childcare center; Explorers Learning Center purchased outdoor learning materials for her childcare center; and Michele’s Alterations & Design Elements started a cottage industry shop to help empower community women and men to create handcrafted products.
The WIN grant, which was established six years ago, can be used for expenses to enhance the applicant’s current business or to start a new business. These expenses may include: equipment, tuition, books, transportation, business wardrobe or childcare necessary to reach the applicant’s career goals.
Grant applications must be postmarked by Friday, October 8 and the grant recipient(s) will be announced in December at the WIN holiday luncheon. Recipient(s) will also be invited to a complimentary one-year membership to the WIN Group. Applicants will be evaluated on a nondiscriminatory basis without consideration of race, national origin, religious affiliation or disability.
The minimum one-time grant is $500. Greater amounts may be awarded according to individual needs and funds available.
Call the GVCC at (203) 925‑4981 for more information about the grant application or to order tickets for the Almost Autumn Wine Tasting.
You may also visit www.greatervalleychamber.com and click on the WIN link. Please make checks payable to the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. Discover, Visa, MasterCard or AMEX also are accepted.
WIN is the first group of its kind to service the six-town region of the Greater Valley. Founded in 2002, the group was formed by a successful group of businesswomen who meet to discuss common issues. Meetings are conducted on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. These meetings are either held at the GVCC office or off-site at a Chamber member location. Social and educational events are also scheduled throughout the year.