HBS CLUB OF CONNECTICUT WINS AWARD FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS IMPACT

Source: HBS Alumni Stories, August 23, 2018

The HBS Club of Connecticut will receive the 2018 Christel Truglia Humanitarian Award for the work of its Community Partners program.

“We can’t think of a more worthy recipient than the HBS Community Partners,” says Bob Arnold, CEO of Family Centers of Greenwich, and a member of the award committee. “[Their] commitment to elevating the performance of the nonprofit sector is having a positive impact on the thousands of lives that are touched by these agencies each year.”

The Humanitarian Award is sponsored by the donor-advised Thumbelina Fund, which was established in 1996 by former Connecticut State Representative Christel Truglia.

According to Community Partners Co-Chair Tom Heckel (MBA 1977), the HBS Club of Connecticut Community Partners program has served 130 client organizations, involving over 250 volunteers since launching in 2004 as a spin-off from the HBS Club of New York’s program.

In 2017, 53 alumni volunteers provided consulting services to seven clients to increase their effectiveness on issues such as human trafficking, environmental education, and children’s healthcare. Another five client organizations received advice through the Community Partners brainstorming sessions, and four clients got help through working sessions.

“We’re honored to have been chosen to receive the Christel Truglia Humanitarian Award,” says Heckel. “We’re pleased to be associated with the Thumbelina Fund and the outstanding work they do to benefit the children of Stamford, Connecticut.”

Heckel adds that because of the Community Partners’ positive impacts on the children of Connecticut, it will be the first organization to win the award, which has traditionally honored the work of individuals.

“It’s been a joy to do this work,” says Heckel. “We depend on our HBS alumni volunteers, so we’re thanking them by inviting them to join us at the award dinner.”

The award will be given at the Thumbelina Fund’s annual fundraising dinner on October 4.