More than 200 CEA members and public education supporters turned out at Glastonbury Hills Country Club for a day on the links at the annual Hands Across the Green golf tournament to benefit the Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF), CEA’s charitable arm. For years, CEF’s various funds have provided the basics for children in need, scholarships for students pursuing teaching careers, gifts that brighten the holidays for families experiencing hardships, and emergency assistance for educators facing catastrophic illness or other emergencies.
“This signature event brings together educators, community members, business leaders, and supporters for a day on the course centered on connection, generosity, and shared commitment to public education,” said CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey, who serves as president of CEF. “The tournament is open to golfers of all experience levels, 
and by raising money for The Children’s Fund, it offers a meaningful way to support students while enjoying a memorable day of play.”
From the most underresourced districts to the wealthiest, many students lack the essentials they need to feel safe and comfortable in the classroom—including proper clothing, winter coats, eyeglasses, or hearing aids.
“Teachers never hesitate to dip into their own pockets to remove those barriers,” said DeLancey, “and The Children’s Fund covers those expenditures so that students can focus on learning.”
She added, “Along with our members, we also have some really wonderful sponsors investing in CEF.”
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC’s Eight Sixty Partners were the tournament’s title sponsor, and the gold sponsor was the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA).
In the swing of it
Longtime Hands Across the Green supporter and Suffield Education Association President Mark Janick has been bringing groups of teachers to the tournament for nearly 20 years.
Tournament title sponsors, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC’s Eight Sixty Partners.
“I do it every year because CEF is a great foundation, the tournament is a really good time, and it’s a great way to bring everyone together for the kids,” he said. “Plus, the golf course is amazing.”
“It’s a beautiful course, and it’s nice to reconnect with colleagues while we embrace summer for another month or so,” Suffield teacher Matt Bourgoin agreed.
“CEA does a wonderful job,” said Hebron elementary teacher Steve Hurley, who came out with colleagues Tony Pitrone, Mike Corona, and Hebron Education Association Co-President Chris Lapsis. “We’ve been coming every year, and it’s great to be back at Glastonbury Hills playing with my buddies and knowing it’s for a good cause.”
“It’s my one golf outing a year, and we’ve been doing it for 20+ years,” Lapsis explained. “It’s with a good group of guys, and it’s for the kids. We know the funds help a lot of children.”
“Making sure students have what they need before they get to school is the most important thing,” said Glastonbury U.S. history teacher Jonathan McGlynn. “We’re here to level the playing field for every child.”
“We are one nation under par!” language arts teacher Jen Abruzzo joked, pointing to a fleet of Glastonbury Education Association (GEA) golf carts decorated in patriotic red, white, and blue and commandeered by band teacher Casey Howard, dressed as Lady Liberty.
GEA turned out in force this year with 28 members. World language teacher Scott Minnick attributed the high turnout to GEA President Kristen Basiaga and Public Relations Chair Stacey Pinto.
“They’ve done an amazing job promoting this event, and we’re happy to have so much representation here,” Minnick said.
“CEF is amazing,” said Glastonbury special education teacher Matt Zabroski. “Every community has students in need. Every community has families in need. And for teachers to be able to send an email or make a phone call and get the resources a student needs—super fast, no questions asked—it’s why this exists: to raise money for that cause.”
Good company, good cause
Retired educator Bernie Schreiber has attended every Hands Across the Green tournament from the start, marking his 31st year.
“I’ve seen how The Children’s Fund has helped students who lost all their belongings in a fire,” he said. “There’s no red tape. You save your receipts, send them to CEF, and they reimburse you.”
An avid golfer, Bridgeport teacher Gregory Roderick was pleased to come out and support CEF. “We’re a district in need, so the resources are always helpful. Clothing, jackets, athletic gear—there are so many needs, and it’s not just in the urban districts but in the suburbs too. Wherever there are shortfalls, wherever things can fall through the cracks, The Children’s Fund is there for support.”
“We’re a Title I district with a lot of children from struggling, low-income families, and that’s a big part of why we come out here to help,” said New London health and PE teacher Ryan Francis. “We like getting together with teachers who have similar interests.”
“I love being a part of this and representing our union and our district,” said Region 16 Woodland High School health and physical education teacher Ryan Kinne. “I appreciate everything our union does for us.”
“Our district does a lot with food drives and backpack drives, but of course, we always need more help,” said Manchester PE teacher Paul Sanborne. “And coming out here is a really good time with really good people. I actually plan my summer trips around it so that I don’t miss it; that’s how fun and well-organized it is.”
“It’s great knowing all proceeds go to kids,” Cheshire language arts teacher Steve Laden agreed.
This past school year, The Children’s Fund provided over $20,000 in financial reimbursements to teachers across the state, and the 2026 tournament raised nearly $40,000.
“With the funds we earned this year,” DeLancey says, “we’ll be able to offer even more support for students in need.”
Teachers score for students
Teachers and supporters competed for overall scores as well as prizes in several categories, including closest to the pin and a putting contest, sponsored by Sked Electric, and the men’s and women’s long drive, sponsored by the Waterbury Teachers Association.
First-place gross winners, with a score of 58, were the All Waste team of Mike Pinchera, Max Karkos, Pete Foley, and Trevor Pieciewicz. Second place went to the Bridgeport Education Association’s foursome of Patrick O’Rourke, Greg Broderick, Jeremy Susi, and Adam Kaufman. Mark Margiotta and Mike, Jim, and Don Griffin took third.
First-place net winners, with a score of 45, were Shepaug Education Association’s team of George and Tara Flaherty and Lori and Bryan Bishop. In second place was CBIA’s team of Becky Nolan, Courtney Rice, Lauren Tusi, and Paige Dosti. Third place net went to Hebron Education Association’s team of Steve Hurley, Chris Lapsis, Mike Corona, and Tony Petrone.
Winners of the long drive were Cheshire teacher Mike Devine (men’s) and Granby teacher Melissa Wabble (women’s). Closest to the pin went to RM Bradley’s Steve DesRoches on the 3rd hole, Consolidated Computing’s Don Hanson on the 6th hole, Manchester teacher Shawn McClory on the 11th hole, and Henry Rickett on the 18th.
See the upcoming summer online-only CEA Advisor for a complete list of sponsors.
