New Britain, Conn., December 7, 2017 – The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hardware City Chapter 8’s Golden Kielbasa Veterans Open, the state’s largest veterans charity golf event, has officially topped the $100,000 mark in monies raised for Connecticut veterans.
Tournament officials, beneficiaries and representatives of Presenting Sponsor Farmington Bank recently gathered at the National Iwo Jima Memorial in New Britain/Newington for a check presentation and to celebrate the event’s enormous success and impact
The 2017 event, which took place at Tunxis Plantation Country Club in Farmington on September 28, attracted a record 206 golfers and raised $27,500, the single-largest, one-year total in the event’s history. The total dollars raised by the “GK” since 2009 stands at $114,500, with more than $110,000 of that total raised in the last six years alone.
“DAV Chapter 8 is proud to be the host of this event, and to be able to aid so many Connecticut veterans through the causes we support,” said DAV Hardware City Chapter 8 Commander Dennis Taricani.
“Farmington Bank is proud to continue its support of Connecticut veterans through this very special event,” said John Patrick, chairman, president and CEO of Farmington Bank. “We respect and appreciate the service and sacrifice of our veterans and are honored to support this wonderful cause.”
Major beneficiaries of the Golden Kielbasa Veterans Open are House of Heroes Connecticut, Friends of Fisher House Connecticut and DAV Chapter 8. Additional beneficiaries this year include Mo’s Closet at the VA Medical Center in Newington, a DAV Chapter 12-operated veterans assistance program that provides veterans in need with clothing (new and used) and various personal supplies and sundries; and the DAV Department of Connecticut transportation and gift card programs for veterans.