Credit union foundation donates more than $18,000 to Sandy Hook Avielle Foundation

Presenting a check for $18,450 to The Avielle Foundation are, left to right, Paul Dorner, Chairman, CT Credit Union Foundation and Chief Administrative Officer, First Bristol FCU; Jeremy Richman, Avielle Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder; and Tony Emerson, President and CEO, Credit Union League of Connecticut. Since the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., the Connecticut Credit Union Charitable Foundation has collected generous donations from countless individuals and organizations across the United States and Canada. In an effort to channel these funds to an appropriate organization whose goal is to address the fundamental, underlying factors of this tragedy, the Charitable Foundation presented a check in the amount of $18,450 to The Avielle Foundation of Sandy Hook, Conn. The Avielle Foundation was founded by Jennifer Hensel and her husband Jeremy Richman, following the tragic murder of their daughter Avielle Rose Richman, on Dec 14, 2012. The mission of the Avielle Foundation is to reduce violence in our communities through mental health initiatives, bridging behavioral and biochemical sciences, and community development-based initiatives that strengthen connectivity, empathy, and understanding. "This generous donation from the Connecticut Credit Union Charitable Foundation to The Avielle Foundation is the start of a wonderful friendship," said Jeremy Richman, Foundation co-founder. "This donation is going to help us fund cutting-edge mental health research and help develop stronger communities in the hope of protecting our loved ones from acts of violence. This will serve as a lasting legacy in honor of our beautiful daughter, Avielle." "As Chairman of the CT Credit Union Charitable Foundation, I am very proud to be able to present these funds to Jeremy to help seed the Avielle Foundation as it works to accomplish the wonderful goals that it has set for itself," said Paul Dorner, Chief Administrative Officer, First Bristol FCU. "We will watch and try to support this project over the next months and years." "The Avielle Foundation is a truly worthwhile organization whose goal is to promote a long-lasting, positive effect for those affected by the Newtown shooting, as well as other communities," said Tony Emerson, President and CEO of the Credit Union League of Connecticut. "We are pleased to be a part of this proactive and far-reaching effort."