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Community Corner

Junior Woman's Club to Raise Funds With Beer Tasting Event

Evening at Thomas Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield includes great raffle prizes.

Finding new and different ways to fundraise is a challenge for most service clubs and non-profit organizations. For years, the dinner/dance/auction was the staple on the calendar of most charitable groups. However, although some organizations still attract sellout crowds and raise staggering amounts from their silent and live auctions, others have not had the same experience. Many groups have seen their proceeds decline and have also had difficulty putting together committees willing to do the extraordinary amount of legwork needed to make the event a success.

On a quest for a different type of fundraiser, the West Hartford Junior Woman’s Club (WHJWC) held its inaugural beer tasting at the Thomas Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield last year. The event was a sellout with 200 attendees, and the WHJWC raised $3,700 for local charities such as the .

“We are very excited to host the beer tasting again this year. It was such a hit last year that we've had people asking about tickets this year, so we believe there will be a great turnout again,” said Jackie Post, WHJWC Co-president. The Town That Cares Fund will once again be the primary recipient of funds raised from the event.

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One of the advantages of this event is that the guys like it, and really want to attend. They don’t have to get dressed up. “It’s very casual. In three hours, you can try a bunch of different local beers and eat at the same time,” said Dawn Hyland, who co-chairs the event committee along with Kate Bruttomesso

“The beer tasting is a great way to relax and unwind with friends on a Saturday night.  For just $25, you can eat and drink all you want all night long and have the chance to win some really fun raffle prizes,” said Post. Everyone gets a pint glass which they can take home, too.

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The Thomas Hooker Brewing Company building has recently undergone an expansion, and can accommodate even more people this year. Tours of the brewery will also be available during the beer tasting event.

Thomas Hooker Brewing Company has gained a reputation both locally and beyond for producing quality microbrews. They produce 11 unique beers (both ales and lagers) at the Bloomfield facility. Offerings include Hooker Nor’easter Lager and Munich Style Golden Lager, as well as my husband’s personal favorite – Hop Meadow IPA.

Raffle tickets will be available for $5 each, and raffle prizes – which include an iPad, membership in the “Beer of the Month Club,” and a Barnes & Noble Nook Color – are appealing to men and women alike.

The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Thomas Hooker Brewery, 16 Tobey Road, Bloomfield, Conn.  Tickets are available in advance by emailing westhartfordjuniors@yahoo.com or by calling Dawn Hyland at 860-561-5005. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Other WHJWC upcoming activities include preparing and serving a meal for the South Park Inn on March 10, a food drive for the West Hartford Food Pantry, and sale of a custom-designed Pandora-style “West Hartford” bead.

Membership in the WHJWC is open to any woman age 18 or over who believes in the purpose and is willing to share in the work of the club. If you are interested in joining, visit the website or email westhartfordjuniors@yahoo.com.

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