MxCC Foundation Red Moon Event Awards $10,000 Prize

Oct. 23, 2019 (Middletown, Conn.) — The Middlesex Community College Foundation community welcomed more than 175 guests to the eighth annual Red Moon Gala held at the college on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. The festive fall event is one of the MxCC Foundation’s primary fundraising events of the year, bringing together donors, students, alumni, community members, faculty and staff to enjoy refreshments and bid on live auction items. The event raised $35,000 net total, a 20% increase over last year.

prize winner

Dean Kim Hogan, prizewinner Michele Rousseau, CEO Steve Minkler

New this year was a $10,000 cash prize raffle. Michele Rousseau, a part-time employee in the enrollment services office, won the $10,000 cash prize. Hesitating at first, she said she bought her $100 raffle ticket at the last minute “to just go for it,” knowing the money was supporting a good cause either way. One raffle entry ticket cost only $100 with total tickets sold limited to 300, so everyone who entered had a good chance to win.

“I’ve never won anything this big before. I almost forgot that I entered the drawing, so it was a pleasant surprise to me when I received the phone call,” said Rousseau, a Middletown resident. Raffle ticket purchasers did not need to be present at the drawing held during the gala to win the prizes.

Josh Kampf of Cheshire won the second prize, a week’s stay at the Water’s Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook, and Christopher Kyusela of Lisbon won the third prize, a home entertainment center.

RED MOON GALA PHOTO GALLERY

The gala was co-chaired by MxCC Dean of Administration Kim Hogan and incoming Foundation Board Chair Laura Krueger, a Middlesex alumna, and supported by a committee of volunteers. Professor Rick Eriksen served as auctioneer for the several live auction items, silent raffle gift baskets, and the grand prizes.

Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, wine and craft beer tastings, and delicious desserts. High-energy entertainment by New York NY Dueling Pianos brought in fun song requests for cash tips, which were also donated to the MxCC Foundation. The lively music inspired attendees to perform a kickline onstage.

The college community publicly sends thanks to all the generous sponsors and raffle donors who made this event so successful for the benefit of Middlesex students.

The purpose of the Middlesex Community College Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, is to support the college and its students by encouraging and securing charitable contributions to the college through the Foundation, and by managing and directing funds for scholarships, program and faculty development, instructional technology and equipment to create a learning environment that fosters student success.

Since 1966, Middlesex Community College has provided high-quality, affordable, and accessible education to a diverse population, enhancing the strengths of individuals through degree, certificate, and lifelong learning programs that lead to university transfer, employment, and an enriched awareness of our shared responsibilities as global citizens. A part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, MxCC offers more than 70 degree or certificate programs at the 35-acre campus in Middletown, MxCC@Platt in Meriden, and online.