On a lovely Friday evening in May, we gathered at Kalmia Gardens in Durham to celebrate all those who help make the Gilead tree flourish!  One hundred volunteers, donors, staff, board and legacy members, who not only support and strengthen Gilead’s mission, but do so much more!  From bringing their social circle into the Gilead family to impacting the lives of those we serve, we honored the countless ways they make a difference. We were treated to four speakers who live and breathe the Gilead mission.

Lucy McMillan, Chief Development Officer, spoke about the impact that her parents, Reds and Jane McMillan had on Gilead – from serving on the board to helping create the endowment fund.  “My parents helped developed strong, deep, far-reaching roots of philanthropy, and kindness, and community building that have branched out and made meaningful differences in the lives so many people. The power of their lives, of their setting down roots within this community has inspired so many others to become members of the Gilead family.”

One of those individuals impacted by their philanthropy is Jean Monahan. Jean came to Gilead via Quizine, our annual fundraiser almost 20 years ago. First as an attendee and then, after much coaxing, a Quizine Dinner Host. Jean has since served as a board member and is a legacy member along with her husband Mike. Jean spoke about her relationship with one of Gilead’s clients. Jean mentored a client who is now like a member of her family. She encouraged others to consider mentoring and was met with a standing ovation.

We heard from Stacy Owens, who has worked at Gilead for over 18 years in Gilead’s Finance department. She has volunteered at every Quizine since its inception, she digs deep to support the agency with numerous donations throughout the year, she walks and fundraises for the road race, and she is a legacy society member. The amazing thing about Stacey is that her love of Gilead has inspired her family, co-workers and friends to also fall in love with Gilead.

Rob Snyder embodies the Gilead values every day.  Rob started as a clinician at Gilead over 30 years ago. His love of data brought him to his role in Quality Assurance where he created Gilead’s Quality Assurance Department. Rob attends and fundraises for every event. He has cultivated his friends and family to commit to the mission. Rob and his wife Gail are legacy members. Rob treats everyone with respect. He builds community by listening, respecting and investing in others and in showing up. Rob brings out the best in those around him.

We also welcomed our newest Legacy Society members, Ben Ludwig and Justin and Christine Salvio. Gilead’s Legacy Society is a group of donors who have agreed to include Gilead in their estate planning. They’re compassion and commitment to creating significant ripples of change will continue to that impact the people we serve and our community now and for years to come!

On Sunday, May 21st, we held our Gilead Gratitude Gathering (formerly called the Major Donor Picnic) to celebrate those in our Gilead community who give their time, talents, and treasures to our mission.

The theme  was “Meeting the Moment.” Since its inception, Gilead has found ways to meet the changing needs of our community. During the program, Dan Osborne, Gilead CEO, held a Q&A with Justin Salvio, Eunice Wiseman, and Candace Crane. Justin spoke to Gilead’s expanded addiction services being offered by the Farrell Treatment Center at Gilead’s Middletown Outpatient Clinic. Eunice spoke to the new Mental Health Resource Center’s (MHRC) connection with Covenant Living, an active senior living community in Cromwell. Since this partnership, the MHRC has been providing drop-in therapy sessions, weekly specialized groups, and mental health first aid trainings. Candace spoke to Gilead’s ongoing partnership with the Middlesex County YMCA, where Gilead service navigator, Velma Razor, has been connecting residents with housing assistance, employment assistance, and case management services. All of these partnerships, collaborations, and innovations highlight the ways that Gilead continues to meet the moment. Our community of donors, families, staff, helpers, fundraisers, volunteers and more have always made Gilead’s innovations possible. Thank you for being part of every moment in our past, present, and future!

On June 4th, Gilead Community Services hosted a picnic dinner at the beautiful Gastler Farm to honor the generosity of major donors and volunteers. After two years without an in-person celebration, we rejoiced at the chance to gather safely once again.

The stunning backdrop for this event provided the perfect scenery to honor members of the Gilead
community for their dedication to our mission. Gilead’s CEO, Dan Osborne, was honored with the Ripples of Change award for his work in the community and at the state legislature advocating for mental health services and nonprofit funding, respectively. New members of Gilead’s Legacy Society were also honored for their commitment to long-term giving through estate planning.

We are grateful to this community for their generosity and their impact at Gilead, in Middlesex county, and throughout Connecticut!

We Couldn’t Bring Our Supporters Together at Gastler Farm  to Say Thank You So We Thought We Would Bring The Thank Yous to All of You At Home with a Video Created With Love by our Staff & Clients!

On Sunday, May 19th, we celebrated the Volunteers, Donors, Dedicated Staff, Ambassadors of the Mission and Dreamers who are vital in helping to fill the gap in the budget necessary for Gilead to continue providing high quality mental health services. With a visual presentation of an empty glass container and colored sands along with photo posters, we illustrated how important all our stakeholders are.  We honored Russ and Leslie Hassmann for their generous donation to Gilead’s new Resource Center and welcomed three new Legacy members: Patti Vassia, Carolyn Kirsch and Mark Ludwig.  It was a beautiful day to enjoy guided garden tours by owner, Tim Gastler and celebrate everyone who helps make Gilead thrive!

On Saturday, May 20, 2018, Gilead celebrated its 50th Anniversary by thanking our major donors and volunteers for their support. Surrounded by the beauty of Gastler Farm’s Kalmia Gardens, we shared a timeline presentation of Gilead’s growth since 1968. We were honored to have joining us two of Gilead’s founders, Matthew Lamstein and Richard “Doc” Wiseman. After hearing them speak, Gilead welcomed our two newest members of the Legacy Society, Laura Patey & Leigh Powers. The rain showers passed right around us, allowing our guests to enjoy garden tours and a delicious dinner. It was the highest attended Major Donor Event we’ve had, and it was a truly beautiful celebration of all Gilead has accomplished! To everyone who came and those who were with us in spirit – thank you!

Fully blossomed florals and sprinkling rain surrounded our dinner patio for  Gilead’s Annual Major Donor Event on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Gastler Farm’s Kalmia Gardens. Guests enjoyed a tour of the venue from owner, Tim Gastler, followed by a candlelit dinner. Gilead honored our newest Legacy Society members – Dan & Kyle Osborne. The two were ceremoniously welcomed by “creating their ripple” with a pebble toss in our legacy fountain. We also welcomed several new members to Gilead’s Leadership Circle and heard from featured guests – staff member Chip Hnatiuk and client, L.N. of the Gateway Community Treatment program about their time spent with Gilead.