Unpacking the Origin of Wallingford's #greatGIVE06492

🌱 The Journey Begins: #BeTheSeed #greatGIVE06492

WALLINGFORD, CT – The 2026 #greatGIVE06492 journey into the hearts of Wallingford has officially begun! We were thrilled to welcome gG, the "Be The Seed" campaign ambassador, to the Wallingford Family YMCA (Eastside). gG was escorted to town by Jackie Downing, coordinator of #TheGreatGive, an annual online fundraiser powered by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (CFGNH).

While the main event is in May, the relationships between the CFGNH and greater New Haven nonprofits is an ongoing testament to nearly two decades of local organizations working hand-in-hand to engage many communities of interest. In 2023, Connecticut Foodshare joined #greatGIVE06492 as a Wallingford-based nonprofit with a statewide reach. The distinctiveness of Wallingford's collaborative ecosystem was recently underscored during a Wallingford Alliance meeting by Jason Jakubowski, President & CEO of Connecticut Foodshare.

He turned to Mayor Vincent Cervoni, stating,

"I can honestly tell you Mayor, this is not happening anywhere else in Connecticut. We serve all of Connecticut, and have many great relationships, but the Wallingford into Meriden connections and collaborations are unique, impactful and appreciated."

This powerful sentiment perfectly encapsulates the environment from which #greatGIVE06492 emerged.

From Informal Gatherings to Impactful Alliance

The Wallingford Alliance began nearly two decades ago as an informal meeting of United Way of Meriden-Wallingford recipient organizations and local funders. Over time, these gatherings expanded to include key Town Department such as Wallingford's Youth and Social Services Dept. and civic groups like Wallingford Community Women. The Alliance meets 6-8 times a year to share updates, introduce new staff, and offer urgent support—a living example of how consistent communication builds community infrastructure.

The Seed of a Fundraising Collaboration

It was within this network that the idea to extend collaboration to fundraising took root. Partners recognized that by pooling resources and leveraging the promotional reach of WPAA-TV and Community Media Center, they could achieve far more together. WPAA-TV remains a cornerstone, providing the platform for these nonprofits to tell their collective stories..

#greatGIVE06492: The "Be The Seed" Journey Begins

The ambassador, gG, was greeted this week by local team members: Sean Doherty (Wallingford Family YMCA), Ana Gopoian (TriCircle), Jeannette Bronsord (Masters Manna Inc.), and Susan Adele Huizenga (WPAA-TV).
The "Be The Seed" campaign emphasizes that every contribution helps cultivate positive change. Over the coming weeks, gG will visit numerous other nonprofits—to tell their stories ahead of the big event.

@Fostering Family Hope | @Connecticut Foodshare | @Gaylord Specialty Healthcare | @The Sisters' Project | @Capital for Change, Inc. | @CT STEM Academy | @Wallingford Public Library | @Spanish Community of Wallingford - SCOW | @A Kinder Ground | @Wallingford Chorus | @WECARE | @Soul Friends, Inc.

The collaborative is also in conversation with Bikers Against Animal Cruelty (BAAC), Literacy Central, and Columbus House, whose presence in Wallingford is entering an exciting new phase.

🗓️ Mark your calendars: The Great Give 2026 takes place online May 6th & 7th!

Follow Us: Video storytelling offers a fun way to discover the diverse missions thriving here. As Jason Jakubowski’s comments underscored, this spirit of collaboration is truly special—a force that ensures every seed of generosity planted through #greatGIVE06492 grows into meaningful impact.

📢 Related 2025 Story Pictures with gG Help Tell Our Stories. Literacy Central SuperHero Potential is within U Video