Suffield Improvement Projects Awarded $66,600 by Amiel Zak Fund

Funding to buy equipment to train firefighters and improve services for the handicapped at the Congamond Lakes are among seven grants totaling $66,660 awarded for community improvement projects in Suffield by the Amiel P. Zak Public Service Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

The Suffield Firemen's Association has been awarded a grant of $13,000 to purchase a laser-driven extinguisher training system while Citizens Restoring Congamond has received $15,000 to complete installation of bathrooms meeting guidelines in the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Other grants awarded are:

• $15,000 to the Friends of the Farm at Hilltop for a composting toilet system.
• $7,000 to The Around Town Singers and Orchestra for a portable stage.
• $6,700 to the Town of Suffield for leaf blowers and a storage shed for the Friends of the Canal at the Enfield Falls.
• $5,000 to Connecticut Landmarks for improvements to the Phelps-Hatheway House and Garden.
• $4,960 to the Suffield Little League for capital improvements.

The Amiel P. Zak Public Service Fund was established in 2002 by Michael Zak to honor the service of his late father, who was a teacher at Suffield High School for 35 years and served on numerous town boards as well as many civic and public associations.

Each year the Hartford Foundation invites grant proposals designed to improve the quality of life for the residents of Suffield. More than $700,000 has been awarded through 85 grants since the Amiel P. Zak Public Service Fund was begun in 2002.

In addition, the Amiel P. Zak Scholarship Fund at the Hartford Foundation has awarded 43 college scholarships totaling more than $135,000 since 2002 to students from Suffield High School.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, established in 1925, is the community foundation for 29 communities in the Hartford region. It is dedicated to putting philanthropy into action to create lasting solutions that result in vibrant communities within the Greater Hartford region. It receives gifts from generous individuals, families and organization, and in 2013 awarded grants of more than $29 million to a broad range of area nonprofits. For more information, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.