Wheeler Honors Donors for Their Philanthropy and Leadership

Hands & Hearts Appreciation Awards Presented at Virtual Event, December 12

Wheeler recently honored four donors for outstanding support of its mission at the organization’s 14th Annual Hands & Hearts event, held virtually, on December 12.

Wheeler’s Hands & Hearts event recognizes individuals and families, corporations, and foundations for helping Wheeler to provide equitable access to innovative care that improves health, recovery, and growth at all stages of life.  Wheeler has recognized more than 100 philanthropists since the inception of this event.

“Each year, the number of families who need us grows,” said Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, president and chief executive officer, Wheeler. “Without the help of everyone we’ve recognized through this event, and all of our donors, we would not be able to meet the needs of the nearly 70,000 individuals we serve annually.”

The 2024 Hands & Hearts Appreciation Award recipients are:

Amy Borg – Wheeler Donor, Foster Parent

Formerly a resident of Farmington, Connecticut, Amy Borg has been a Wheeler donor since 2008 and became a Wheeler foster parent in 2020.

While with Wheeler, Amy fostered 18 children and youth through full-time, short-term, and respite care. She worked hard to build positive experiences with each, engaging them in activities and day trips to museums, amusement parks, mini-golf, and more. She often documented their time together through notes and photos, which eventually became a scrapbook of memories that the child or youth could have forever. Amy also exposed youth in her care to the value of volunteer work, often bringing them along to observe or participate in various community projects.

While no longer a foster parent with Wheeler, Amy’s involvement and advocacy for youth will continue, and she has plans to be trained as guardian ad litem, a role in which she will act on behalf of a child in court or other legal situations and make recommendations for what is best for the child.

Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation

Thanks to a $110,000 grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation this year, Wheeler is expanding services for the LGBTQ+ community. The funds support Wheeler’s “Walk With Me” program at its Family Health & Wellness centers in Hartford, New Britain, Plainville, and Waterbury, Connecticut, and extend the program and its services to Wheeler’s Bristol, Connecticut, center. 

The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, led by President Alex Cohen, is committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service by creating awareness, offering guidance, and leading by example to show the world what giving can do. Alex Cohen is also president of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation and was named one of the “50 Most Powerful Women U.S. Philanthropy” by Inside Philanthropy. The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation has given over $1.23 billion of philanthropic support to nonprofit organizations, including over $119 million to organizations based in Connecticut.

“Walk With Me” is a therapeutic treatment track for LGBTQ+ patients of all ages and provides services such as individual, family, and group therapy, affirming psychiatric evaluation and care, behavioral health services, inclusive and affirming peer support services, primary care, screenings and treatment, and more.

Patricia Cruickshanks – Mott Corporation Volunteer

Patty Cruickshanks, now residing in Florida, has been an active volunteer at Farmington-based Mott Corporation, coordinating much of the partnership between Wheeler Health and Mott, exemplifying an extraordinary commitment to community well-being.

For years, Patty has annually matched holiday gift requests to Mott donors for hundreds of children in Wheeler's foster care program, and also mobilized “Mott Health Ambassadors” volunteers at Wheeler events, from packing 1,000 bags of personal care items for patients just before the pandemic to raising awareness at charity walks and planting flags of remembrance at International Overdose Awareness Day observations.

A trusted partner and a compassionate professional, Patty’s contributions have left an indelible mark on Wheeler’s mission to improve health, recovery, and growth.

Charles J. Herbert, CFP – Longtime Wheeler Trustee

For a decade, Charles Herbert has been one of Wheeler’s most dedicated trustees who instinctively understands Wheeler’s mission and the role of volunteerism and generosity. Charley has served on the board in multiple capacities, from fundraising, support for Wheeler’s annual golf classic, on the finance committee, guiding the organization’s retirement plan administration, and last year, stepping in as interim chair.

The Executive Vice President & Director of Sales for investment firm Bradley, Foster & Sargent, Inc., Charley says the notion of service weaves into his entire life, far beyond Wheeler, through his family’s passion for philanthropy and board commitments and volunteer work at organizations like Copper Beech Institute, Holy Family Retreat Center, Just Faith in Louisville, Kentucky, and The Open Hearth in Hartford.

He left the Wheeler board in September at the conclusion of the maximum number of terms served. He’s a remarkable advocate for Wheeler’s work and mission.