Citizens Bank 5K Wednesday is Family-Friendly Fundraiser

This week is a very big week for the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce as it will host three of the county’s biggest events. Tomorrow, the Chamber’s Business After Work series will take place at Angelico’s Lake House Restaurant in East Hampton.

This event, from 5 to 7 p.m., is a great way for members to network with 250 to 300 other members. Owner Paul Angelico has a fantastic outdoor setup, complete with a tiki bar that overlooks Lake Pocotopaug. 

On Wednesday, Citizens Bank, the Chamber, Downtown Business District, Northern Middlesex YMCA and Oddfellows Playhouse are sponsoring a unique family-oriented festival and road race: The Citizens Bank 5K Summer Fun Run.

The festival features Oddfellows street performers, ARTFARM’s Circus for a Fragile Planet, a moonwalk, giant slide and extended hours at Kidcity Children’s Museum. Throughout the event, music and dancing entertainment will be provided. 

This race is makes for great team competition because businesses can enter their own groups of runners whose times will be compared to those of other teams. Teams can be of unlimited size — the three fastest runners determine team time and the fastest team time wins — and companies can enter an unlimited number of teams. 

To the victors, a Pratt & Whitney Team trophy is awarded and can be displayed until next year's race. 

The Citizens Bank 5K has always benefitted the community in each year of its existence. Community organizations that have received donations are the Northern Middlesex Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA of Northern Middlesex County, the Middletown Mentor Program, Amazing Grace, Artfarm, Middlesex Bike Club, Kiwanis Club, Oddfellows Playhouse, Warm the Children and Ed Gorecki Memorial Fund.

Last week, we welcomed former UConn basketball star, NCAA Men’s Basketball National Champion and current Charlotte Bobcats rookie Kemba Walker to our member breakfast meeting. He accepted the Chamber’s Role Model of the Year Award and talked about what it means to him to be considered a role model.

In a very open, candid and humble speech, Kemba talked about the importance of his outstanding parents and how he would not be in the position that he is today without their influence.

The Chamber’s relationship with UConn began years and years ago when a relatively little-known coach at the time, Jim Calhoun, became the head coach in 1986. 

I am so glad that Calhoun made it to the event last week to honor Kemba and we look forward him as the featured speaker in October.

Last week, we celebrated two grand openings with K. La May’s Steamed Cheeseburgers on Thursday and Disaster Restoration Services LLC on Friday, both in Middletown. 

For information, contact Matt Fraulino at (860) 347-6924 or mfraulino@middlesexchamber.com.