Thanks to KBE Building

As the holiday season begins, Oak Hill is especially grateful to Mr. David Papandrea and KBE Building Corporation for their generosity.  The two new Wii Systems and games will be enjoyed long after the holidays.  Thank you for brightening the lives of children and adults with disabilities.   

Photo: to left, Stan Soby, vice president, Oak Hill Community Programs and David Papandrea, KBE Building Corporation 

People who donate do so to express their gratitude, honor a loved one, or share a part of themselves with others. The benefits of these gifts are quite extraordinary.

A gift can give:

• A voice to a child who cannot speak, through a communication board that enables desires and needs to be expressed
• Access to the world for an adult who is blind, by providing training on a computer with a speech synthesizer
• Strength to a student who cannot walk, with the help of a standing device that builds muscles
• And much, much more

Yes, You Can Donate Online

Yes, click here

Oak Hill is registered with the Network for Good site and it offers a free internet donation processing service.  Use a credit card at no cost to you.  

How do I get started?

If you would like to learn more about how to donate gifts other than cash, please call Ana Mitchell, director of annual giving (860) 769-3815 or email at mitchella@ciboakhill.org

Ways to Give

• Cash – if you itemize, outright cash gifts are generally deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income.
• Stock – which has been held over one year and that increases in value is subject to capital gains tax when sold. By making a gift to Oak Hill, you avoid tax on the gain. Also, your contribution deduction is equal to the stock’s full fair market value.
• Real Estate – a home, farm, or land may have so appreciated in value through the years that its sale would mean a sizeable capital gains tax. By donating this property to Oak Hill, you avoid the tax and receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the property.
• Life Insurance Policies – a gift of a policy that is no longer needed for your family’s security would entitle you to an income tax deduction equal to the policy’s replacement cost at the date of the gift. Subsequent premiums paid by you would be deductible in the year of the payment.
• Retirement or Pension Plans – benefits paid to a tax-exempt charity are not subject to income tax. Therefore, in some cases, it may be advantageous to other beneficiaries of your estate if Oak Hill is designated as a beneficiary of the plan benefit.
• Bequests – one of the simplest ways to make a gift to Oak Hill is through your will. You can make Oak Hill the direct beneficiary of specific assets, of a portion of your estate or of your residential estate after payment of other bequests. Bequests to Oak Hill are entirely free from federal estate tax and therefore offer substantial estate tax savings.
• Planned Gifts (Oak Hill Foundation) – there are many types of charitable gifts with substantial tax advantages that we can discuss with you and that you should discuss with your financial planner. For more information, please contact Suzanne Heise, vice president of development and communications at (860) 769-3834 or email at hi-c@ciboakhill.org 

Download Oak Hill Foundation brochure, click on link

Can I have my company match my gift?

Yes, your employer may match your gift to Oak Hill. Check with your human resources department to find out about their matching gift program. Learn More>>

Donate to Oak Hill Through United Way Giving

You may donate to Oak Hill through the United Way.  For federal civilian, postal and military donors who wish to donate to Oak Hill through the Combined Federal Campaign, refer to page 73 of the booklet for our listing and use designation code #38571. 

For more information on how you can donate to Oak Hill, call Ruth Hayes, senior development director  at (860) 769-3834 or email: hayesr@ciboakhill.org

Do you have a foundation?

Yes, the Oak Hill Foundation was established in 2007 to protect the assets of Oak Hill; allows prospective donors who prefer to donate to a dedicated entity that is distinct from the nonprofit it supports; and the foundation’s sole purpose is to support and advance the mission of Oak Hill.

To download a PDF of our Oak Hill Foundation brochure

Can I give to a specific program?

Yes, you may give to any Oak Hill program; each serves people with disabilities (restricted funds):

1. Oak Hill School – an approved, licensed year round quality education program for children (ages 3-21 years); 9 classrooms throughout Connecticut.
2. NEAT Center at Oak Hill – fully accessible facility where you can learn about products and equipment that enhances independence and improves quality of life.  You may donate or buy adaptive medical equipment at 50%-80% from the original purchased price; locations in Hartford, Stratford and soon to be in Windham County, Connecticut
3. Eleanor A. Brooks Blindness Related Supports Center at Oak Hill – program that provides community-based housing and supports; vocational services for adults who are interested in achieving meaningful employment in Connecticut.
4. Oak Hill Center for Relationship & Sexuality Education (CRSE) – program provides therapeutic and educational programs that promote safe and healthy relations for teens, adults and their parents; training for healthcare professionals
5. Oak Hill Camp – a residential summer camp for children and adults; located in Waterford, Connecticut.
6. LEEP (Low Vision Employment & Education Program) for teens; offers one-week residential program in July.
7. Camp Dragonfly for teen girls with autism spectrum disorder; offers one-week residential program in August.   
8. Oak Hill Creative Art Therapy - provides opportunities for self-expression, leisure time activities, pursuit of hobbies, and development of friendships
9. Oak Hill Day Services – provides supported employment and volunteer opportunities in the community for adults throughout Connecticut.
10. Senior Services -provides adults (typically over 65 years) with light vocational work, volunteer opportunities in the community and leisure and recreational activities.
11. Oak Hill Residential Services – provides community housing for children and adults  throughout Connecticut.
12. Oak Hill Birth to Three Program – provides services and support to families of children under the age of three (includes delays in developmental milestones) a recognized private provider by the Connecticut Birth to Three System.

What are unrestricted funds?

Is my gift tax-deductible?

May I include Oak Hill in my will?

Endowed Funds

John A. Coccomo, Sr. Endowed Fund, established in 1993 by Mr. Coccomo to benefit visually impaired students who are furthering their education or training.

Arthur Pereira Endowed Fund, in 2003, Al Pereira’s brother, Arthur passed away unexpectedly. In memory of Arthur, and in honor of his love of music, Al and Marion Pereira established this fund to provide musical instruments and entertainment for children and adults with disabilities.

Susan Passalacqua Endowed Fund, John Passalacqua established this fund in 1999, in memory of his daughter, Susan, who lived in the Glastonbury group home. Income from the fund has provided a great deal of joy to our program participants for a variety of recreational activities.

Robert A. and Susan A. Ludwig Endowed Fund, established in 2005, the endowed Ludwig Fund provides camper-ships for Oak Hill’s Camp Harkness.

Annual Funds

Bonnie and Erich Ohlendorf Award, in 2000, the Ohlendorf’s established this award to provide financial assistance to students who are legally blind.

Hilda Feingold Fund, in 2003, Bonnie and Erich Ohlendorf established this fund in memory of Bonnie’s mother. In conjunction with the Legacy Fund (established in 1995 to enhance the independence of people who are blind), the Hilda Feingold Fund provides elderly people who have macular degeneration with equipment to help them live more independently.

The Laurie Link Educational Award, Jim and Gail Link, parents, established this fund in 2000 to benefit the staff at Oak Hill, in appreciation for the people whose commitment and dedication have enhanced the life of their daughter, Laurie, who lives in the Bloomfield group home.

Purchase Oak Hill note cards

We are pleased to offer these note cards created by the children and adults with disabilities served by Oak Hill.  All proceeds from the sale of the cards will help Oak Hill continue to provide quality programs for people with disabilitie in Connecticut. 

The assorted note card package includes all 12 cards and 13 envelopes.  Note cards are blank inside and the back contains information about the artist.  $25/per package (12 cards).  CT residents add 6% sales tax; allow four weeks for delivery.  To order, click 

To download an order form, click here