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#BeAGoodFriend

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#BeAGoodFriend

Our Motto is "Be A Good Friend"

Board of Directors

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President

Eric Feeney

Eric Feeney is a third-grade teacher at Wolcott Elementary School and is the Founder & President of Friends of Feeney. After recognizing the need to support families experiencing tragic situations in the greater Hartford area, Eric created an organization to directly tackle this issue, bringing community members and businesses together to uplift those in need. As a result of these efforts, Friends of Feeney is now widely known and has an increasingly positive impact. Eric, an eight-year veteran of the Connecticut Army National Guard, also serves on the board of West Hartford Community Interactive and lives in town with his wife and twin daughters.

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Chairman, Board of Directors

Matt Heller

Matt Heller is a lifelong resident of Connecticut and a graduate of Saint Michael’s College with a degree in Media Studies, Journalism, and Digital Arts. He currently serves as the Communications Specialist for NBT Bank, based at the bank's West Hartford office. He is an avid photographer and hiker with a passion for sustainability and innovation. With Friends of Feeney, Matt leads the board in strategic planning and operational management. He also oversees communications, branding, reputation management, and assists with event planning, including management of the organization's annual golf tournament.

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Director

Marty Keena

As a lifelong resident and retired educator of West Hartford, Marty has continued to connect with the community through leadership activities associated with the West Hartford Exchange Club, the University of Virginia Club of Hartford, and Friends of Feeney. All three organizations seek to provide recognition and support to individual students and families who are faced with life-altering challenges.

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Director

Jenn Lambert

Jenn Lambert grew up in Andover, Mass. She graduated from the University of New England with a Bachelor’s degree in health science and a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She has been a West Hartford resident since 2009 and has worked for the West Hartford Public Schools since 2017 as the occupational therapist at Wolcott, Webster Hill, and Braeburn elementary schools. Jenn rows at Riverfront Recapture and volunteers with the Connecticut Adaptive Rowing Program and the Connecticut Veterans Rowing and Kayaking Program.

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Director

Rob Parenti

Rob grew up in West Hartford and is a lifelong Connecticut resident.  He is a special education teacher at Braeburn Elementary School and works with students who need intense emotional support. Rob has his undergraduate degree from Central Connecticut State University and his master's from Saint Joseph University. He is active in coaching little league baseball and is a certified grief recovery specialist for individuals who have experienced grief and trauma. 

Episode #117: Rob Parenti

Rob is a special education teacher in West Hartford and a member of Friends of Feeney's board of directors.

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Articles

The Feeney Files

Media Mentions and More

  • September 17, 2024

    More than $20,000 was raised in support of the West Hartford-based nonprofit organization at the Friends of Feeney Golf Tournament.

  • April 5, 2024

    A collaboration between the Make-A-Wish Foundation, West Hartford Police & Fire Department, West Hartford Public Schools, Friends of Feeney and others led to “Howard Day”, a celebration for a local student battling a critical illness. 

  • July 16, 2023

    President Eric Feeney sat down with WTNH broadcaster Dennis House to discuss Friends of Feeney.

  • Jan 27, 2021

    When a blaze broke out at a home Saturday resulting in one death, members of the community sprung to action soon after.

  • Dec 6, 2018

Best of
West Hartford

First Place, Favorite Nonprofit : 2022-2024

Park Road Parade

Best Float: 2017, 2018, 2021, 2024

 

Community Spirit Award: 2016 & 2019

Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Second Place Float:  2019 & 2024

Awards

Nonprofit of the Year: 2020

West Hartford Chamber

Videos

A Blessing

"Friends of Feeney has been a blessing to my family. From the loss of my brother in law to the loss of my mother, this organization has been there to provide support in many ways."

Back On Our Feet

"Our family suffered a house fire and needed help during the holidays. Mr. Feeney, along with his entire crew, came to help in ways to help us get back on our feet."
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Community Support

"The kindness, caring and empathy shown is second to none. Thank you Friends of Feeney for your endless support!"
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Our Mission

The mission of Friends of Feeney is to support children and families who need assistance after heartbreak and tragedy.

Our efforts benefit local children and families shortly following life's most difficult situations, whether it be the loss of a family member, illness diagnosis, property damage, or other challenging circumstances. By offering direct financial support and connecting families with resources through a strong network of community partners, we aim to ease their burden and lay the foundation for future hope and empowerment.

Since our founding, Friends of Feeney has provided over $226,000 to more than 95 local families. This impact would not be possible without the generosity of individuals and businesses who trust in our mission and share our commitment to helping those in need.

Our 
History

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Our History

After teaching for nearly a decade at his alma mater in Waterbury, in 2014, Eric Feeney began teaching at Wolcott Elementary in West Hartford. Shortly following, Sam Sohn, the father of one of his students, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. He left behind four beautiful children and a loving wife, Nancy Wallace-Sohn. Eric saw first-hand the toll this took on the family as they navigated their way through this unthinkable tragedy.

 

The following year, Rashad Collier Sr., another father of s student in Eric’s class, passed away in Hartford as a result of gun violence. Rashad left behind two fantastic children and a loving wife, Denise Villegas. The impact of these tragedies weighed on Eric and motivated him to build an organization that could provide assistance for similar situations. With that, Friends of Feeney was born.

 

In 2019, Friends of Feeney Inc. became an official 501©(3) nonprofit organization, allowing more funds to be raised and expanding the range of services provided to children and families in need.

 

Today, over a decade since Eric’s idea to build a community organization dedicated to supporting our friends in need, Friends of Feeney has burgeoned into a reputable and recognized organization capable of providing financial and resource support to numerous families and individuals across greater Hartford and beyond. Through this work, an incredible community of children and families has been recognized, who care for and appreciate each other’s kindness.

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Our Vision

Friends of Feeney's vision is a community dedicated to providing hope and uplifting those facing life's most challenging moments.

Values

We believe

  • A community can and will come together to support their neighbors in need

  • The most effective fundraising is genuine, transparent, and fun

  • Being a good friend is always the right choice

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