Rocky Hill Native Takes New Position with Connecticut Children's Medical Center

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center holds a special place in Adria Giordano’s heart after her daughter underwent a successful open heart surgery there.

The children’s medical center became an even bigger part of Giordano’s life after Labor Day as she left her post as Gifts of Love developing and marketing specialist to work full time as development officer there, raising funds for the hospital.

“I know firsthand the kind of care Connecticut Children's gives children and their families, and am thrilled to be working for such an outstanding hospital,” Giordano wrote in an e-mail to Patch. “I am looking forward to working with a great development team to further increase support for their outstanding children's health services and programs in our communities.”

Giordano, who grew up in Rocky Hill and now lives in West Hartford with her husband and family, first got involved with Gifts of Love in 2008 when she was on the planning committee for the organizations’ Night Out in Style fundraiser. Diana Goode, executive director of Gifts of Love, then invited her to work full time as event coordinator for the nonprofit. Gifts of Love helps over 500 families in the Farmington Valley and Greater Hartford area obtain basic necessities like food and clothing while enduring financial strife.

“It was a perfect fit for me, with two young children at home, I could work around their preschool schedule,” she wrote.

In fact, this is not the last that the Gifts of Love community will see of her, as Giordano continues to volunteer as the organizer for for the non-profit's Night Out in Style event, which is scheduled for Nov. 19.

“I have been so fortunate to work for such a wonderful organization as Gifts of Love,” Giordano wrote. “I loved what I did, planning events and raising awareness and funds to help families experiencing a financial crisis. I enjoyed it tremendously and am so honored to have been a part of such an amazing organization. I will miss the families I have encountered along the way, and the wonderful staff I have been privillaged to work with.“

Avon native Lori Shield, formally a grant writer and program planner for Community Renewal Team in Hartford, has taken over Giordano’s role.

Shield has done a lot of volunteering in Avon and so have her sons, who are 12 and 15. Joining the Gifts of Love staff is a natural move for her.

“It goes back to families helping families. You never know what your neighbors or acquaintances could be going through,” Shield said. “I’m excited about the vision Diana [Goode] and the board have…. I am thrilled and delighted to be here.”

One project Shield is optimistic about is Gifts of Love’s program, providing children in need attending Avon, Farmington Valley and West Hartford schools with a weekly backpack of food for the weekend.

Shield also noted Gifts of Love’s collaboration with a Simsbury farm to provide locally grown produce for families in need.

Financial need is existent even in the most affluent towns and Gifts of Love aims to help people get back on their feet and provide for their families.

“People lose jobs and could be one pay check away from financial ruin,” Shield said. “You can’t judge [people’s situations] by the cars people drive."