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Inaugural Ball Raises $100,000 For Hartford Mayor's Charity

By JENNA CARLESSO

April 30, 2012

HARTFORD —— Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra's inaugural ball raised $100,000 for his new charitable organization, the Hartford Humanities Fund, according to ball Chairman Steve Jewett.

The money will be used to create grants for Hartford nonprofit organizations, especially those focused on education, youth services and the arts, Jewett said.

The grants will be awarded sometime this fall. "We're pretty psyched about that," Jewett said about the amount raised.

"We had hoped to raise at least $50,000 to kick off the fund. We did not start planning for the ball until late November, so we are very happy with the final results and people seemed to enjoy the celebration, too."

Segarra said the amount raised was "better than expected."

"I wanted to get at least $50,000," he said. "I know these events carry a lot of expense. I was very surprised and pleased that it was [$100,000]. That was very good news for me."

Segarra's inaugural ball, which was held at the Connecticut Convention Center in January, drew more than 900 people. Tickets were priced at $100 a piece and sold out a week before the event.

The ball was paid for by a combination of tickets sales and corporate sponsorships. Corporate sponsors included Northeast Utilities, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Hartford Hospital,St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center and The Hartford.

Money from the ticket sales and corporate sponsors — in this case, $100,000 — was also funneled into the charitable fund, which was set up by Segarra, its honorary chairman.

Jewett would not reveal the total cost of the inaugural ball.

The board overseeing the Humanities Fund is working to develop criteria for evaluating grant requests, he said. Groups seeking information about the grants may sent e-mail to info@hartfordhumanities.org.

Fund officials are organizing a golf tournament this summer to raise additional money.