WEDDINGS Safo-Agyeman/Budds

WEDDINGS

A LOVE STORY LEFT TO FATE Alexis Safo-Agyeman & Kevin Budds

Photos by Todd Fairchild; shutterbugct.com

Alexis Safo-Agyeman and Kevin Budds were not supposed to meet.

Sure, they both grew up in West Hartford and shared more than a dozen mutual friends. Yes, they like to frequent the same favorite watering holes. OK, so they’re sisters are former co-workers.

To be sure, their mutual friends, Ashlee and Tyler Cawley, thought they would make THE perfect match. In fact, the Cawleys planned on setting them up. Why wouldn’t they? After all, they knew Alexis and Kevin shared the same family values, both loved to engage in intellectual conversations, and were believers in the sanctity of love and marriage.

Still, by the time Thanksgiving 2017 drew near, Alexis and Kevin had yet to meet. And it seemed as if a connection between these two kindred souls was simply not in the cards…and might never be. Trust the fates to intervene.

In late 2017—on the evening before Thanksgiving to be exact—Alexis and Kevin found themselves out with friends at Treva Restaurant & Bar in West Hartford Center.

And that was that.

Now, nobody would ever suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic was a good thing — not in any way, shape, or form. But it did give Alexis and Kevin a built-in excuse to throw the kind of small, inti-

mate wedding they had dreamed of. A fall wedding in which the joyous couple was surrounded by immediate family and close friends. A wedding that was more like a warm and loving group hug than a big boisterous bash.

And so, standing before an ordained minister — who happens to double as Kevin’s brother-in-law — in the midst of an idyllic rose garden that lightly scented the air, the couple said their ‘I do’s.

The end…of Chapter 1, that is. The page will be turned on Chapter 2 of their beautiful love story in November 2021, when Alexis and Kevin look forward to welcoming to their happy home their first child.

To be continued. n

Philanthropist launches endowment campaign to strengthen non-profits throughout Greater Hartford

Greater Hartford has hundreds of nonprofits, educational and cultural institutions that keep us healthy, support our most vulnerable populations, inspire our creativity and care for our historical treasures. These institutions are a critical economic engine and an integral part of our region’s civic fabric. By establishing and building endowments, they can secure their future and send a message of long-term stability, fiscal responsibility, and financial viability.

Recognizing the importance of endowment giving, the Zachs Family Foundation has created a matching gift opportunity, Endow Hartford 21, to help build endowments for nonprofit organizations in the Greater Hartford region. More than 60 organizations were invited to participate, representing a broad spectrum of nonprofit services from health and human services to arts and culture.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (HFPG) and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford (JCF) are collaborating to provide administrative support and in so doing, have helped to create a ‘first of its kind’ program, designed to incentivize endowment giving throughout the community. With a matching fund to stimulate giving, it is hoped that donors will be inspired to make gifts to multiple organizations, and thereby ensure the long-term stability of these vital institutions. The Endow Hartford 21 Match Program has been initially funded with $1 million from the Zachs Family Foundation.

Other organizations and individuals are being approached for additional matching funds and to date, an additional $700,000 has been raised.

“I woke up Thanksgiving Day at 4 a.m. and thought ‘something is missing,’” says Henry Zachs, president of the Zachs Family Foundation, explaining how he came up with the idea for this new and innovative endowment campaign. “I came up with the idea for Endow Hartford 21 and it has evolved into something truly remarkable and unique. In total, 51 organizations have signed on to participate. With multiple organizations spreading the word about this special opportunity, I believe we will achieve “cross-pollination” of the donors, to the benefit of every organization that participates. It will help raise awareness of the critical work being done in our community. Many will learn of worthy nonprofits they never knew existed. This is something Hartford is ready for and can be proud to be a part of.”

The five-member Advisory Board of Endow Hartford 21, JoAnn Price, Marilda Gándara, David Miller, Henry Zachs and Eric Zachs, will help guide this remarkable philanthropic endeavor. Additionally, all donors will be recognized on the Endow Hartford 21 website through a designated “honor roll” that lists donors by giving range, but which especially highlights those who make gifts to multiple participating organizations.

Endow Hartford 21 stands out not only for its uniqueness and the impressive breadth of agencies it will benefit, but also for bringing together Hartford’s two leading foundations in a community-wide campaign for the very first time.

“The Jewish Community Foundation is privileged to support Henry’s vision to help endow Greater Hartford’s non-profits, to ensure they remain vibrant and vital for generations to come,” says Jacob Schreiber, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. “It’s amazing how Henry continues to initiate campaigns – without being asked – because of the values he grew up with, his tireless entrepreneurial spirit, and his belief that the world becomes a better place only when people act in a determined fashion.”

Jay Williams, president of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving agrees, noting, “The Endow Hartford 21 initiative is a wonderful opportunity for our community. We are grateful to the Zachs family and the other matching donors and are pleased to support the effort to enhance the financial stability of so many vital organizations across Greater Hartford.”

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAMPAIGN

The more matching funds raised, the greater the matching opportunity. A larger matching fund will help the organizations increase their endowments. If you are interested in becoming a Lead Donor to the general matching fund, please contact Sara or Henry directly.

The Endow Hartford 21 Match Program will run for a minimum of 1 year, beginning June 1, 2021. The program will match gifts between $250 to $10,000 per donor per organization made by an individual, family, foundation, business, or corporation. Donors are encouraged to give to multiple participating organizations. Pledges alone will not qualify for the match. Gifts may be made by check, credit card, or gifts of appreciated stock.

The participating organizations have chosen either the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving or the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford to administer the funds. Visit www.EndowHartford21.com for more information on how to make a gift to one or more organizations. Gifts must be paid by the donor directly to the Hartford Foundation or Jewish Community Foundation for the benefit of the donor’s chosen organization(s). All gifts will be unrestricted for the benefit of the participating organizations.

For a full list of participating organizations see below or visit the Endow 21 website.

For more information about Endow Hartford 21, contact Sara Gelpke at sgelpke@mcmgmt.com, or 860-727-5733, or Henry Zachs at hzachs@mcmgmt.com or 860-3062787. Website: endowhartford21.com

For information regarding the administration of the funds, contact: Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Deborah Rothstein Phone: 860-463-5233 Email: DRothstein@hfpg.org Website: hfpg.org

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford Kathryn Gonnerman Phone: 413-475-0415 Email: KGonnerman@jcfhartford.org Website: jcfhartford.org

1. American School for the Deaf 2. Bushnell Park Foundation 3. Charter Oak Cultural Center 4. Chrysalis Center, Inc. 5. Connecticut Explored, Inc. 6. Connecticut Food Bank/Foodshare 7. Connecticut Historical Society 8. Connecticut Science Center 9. Covenant Preparatory School 10. CT Immigrant Refugee Coalition (CIRC) 11. Dignity Grows 12. Elizabeth Park Conservancy 13. Federation Homes 14. Friends of Keney Park 15. Girls for Technology 16. Grace Academy 17. Harc, Inc. 18. Hartford Artisan's Weaving Center 19. Hartford Promise 20. Hartford Public Library 21. Hartford Stage 22. Hartford Symphony Orchestra 23. Hartford Youth Scholars 24. Hebrew Senior Care 25. Hill-Stead Museum 26. Hispanic Health Council 27. Intensive Education Academy 28. Interval House 29. Jewish Association for

Community Living 30. Jewish Family Services 31. Jewish Federation of Greater

Hartford 32. Jewish Historical Society of

Greater Hartford 33. Jewish Teen Learning Connection (JTConnect) 34. JFACT Fund 35. Mandell Jewish Community

Center (JCC) 36. New England Jewish Academy 37. Oak Hill School 38. Our Piece of the Pie 39. Playhouse Theatre Group 40. Real Art Ways 41. Renbrook School 42. Riverfront Recapture 43. San Juan Center 44. Solomon Schechter Day School 45. The Amistad Center for

Art & Culture 46. The Children's Museum 47. The Mark Twain House & Museum 48. The Village for Families & Children 49. TheaterWorks

Friday, JUne 25, 2021 16 Tammuz 5781 50. Urban League of Greater Hartford Vol. 93 | No. 26 | ©2021 51. Voices of Hope $1.00 | jewishledger.com

Now is the Time to Give. If Not Now, When?

ON THE COVER

Kevin Boudreau

The latest version of the mural on the exterior of Jerry's Artarama in Elmwood was painted by Kevin Boudreau. Kevin is a graffiti artist and is co-owner of Cardinal Tattoo in Newington. A native of Newington, he is a 2005 graduate of Newington High School and received an associate's degree in fine arts from Manchester Community College.

Besides his work at Jerry's Artarama, Boudreau has created graffiti murals around the U.S., in Canada, England, and Australia. To see more of Kevin's work, follow him on Instagram @kevinboudreau_.

Kevin Boudreau @kevinboudreautattoo facebook.com/ kevinboudreautattoo