The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
NCCC president rappels for fundraiser
Winsted >> Northwestern Connecticut Community College president Michael A. Rooke will tap into his adventurous side when he rappels 111 feet down the side of Torrington Towers on Saturday, Sept. 16. This event, the first of its kind in the northwest corner, is in support of three non-profits within the region: Prime Time House, Northwest Connecticut Arts Council, and Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation.
“As someone who rel- ishes challenges, this was something that I could not pass up the opportunity to do,” says Rooke. ‘It is very daunting – to rappel down 14 stories — certainly something I have never tried before.”
The event, in collaboration with the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, is sponsored by Sharon Hospital, PACGroup LLC, O&G Industries, Inc., and Health Quest, with additional support from Crystal Rock Water, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, and Litchfield Distillery.
More than 40 people have signed up for the challenge but the non-profits are hoping to see 100 Edgers or Teams of Edgers sign up. Rooke has met the pledge goal of $1,000 required to do the descent but has set a personal pledge goal of $1,500.
“I’d like to ask people to pledge in support of this cause - and I also challenge anyone else who is crazy enough to do this, to do it with me,” says Rooke.
Rooke, who has been NCCC president since 2015, says he is happy to promote all three of the non-profits this event is supporting. “The several years I have been at NCCC, I have witnessed the positive impact each of these organizations has had on our communities,” he says. “It is important to me that the college be an active participant in supporting our local community, and this should be a fun way to do so. I amhopeful that the community will support me as I put it all on the line to raise funds for three important organizations.”
Prime Time House, Inc. is located in Torrington but services all of Litch- field County, working with adults with mental illness to help foster independent living through employment, education and housing.
The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council is a nonprofit, non- governmental organization that promotes arts and culture to a 25-town service area and surroundings, offering workshops, newsletters, opportunities for artists, and more.
The Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation was founded in 2007 and provides educational and scholarship opportunities for the region, as well as support for programs including Leadership Northwest, Read Aloud, and the WOW! Forum.
The all-day event will be held at Torrington Towers, 52 Summers Street, Torrington. For more information or to donate and support an Edger visit https:// otecwe.com/nwconnecticut/.