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Local Voices

Audubon Center at Bent of the River Seeking "Give Local" Donations Nov. 12, 13

On November 12 and 13, the Audubon Center at Bent of the River in Southbury (http://bentoftheriver.audubon.org) will be participating in Give Local Greater Waterbury & Litchfield Hills fundraising campaign. The 36-hour online giving campaign has been organized by the Connecticut Community Foundation and “The Bent” will receive 100% of every donation made to their non-profit organization through a special website (http://www.givelocalccf.org/npo/131624102) between 7:00 a.m. on November 12 and 7:00 p.m. on November 13. Leslie Kane, director of the Audubon Center at Bent of the River stated, “We will also receive a percentage of over $90,000 in matching funds and be eligible for special prizes and bonuses throughout the 36 hours. All donations are 100% tax deductible.” 

The mission of the not-for-profit Audubon Center is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats. Located along the Pomperaug River and bordering Little Pootatuck Brook, the Audubon Center at Bent of the River nature center and sanctuary at 185 East Flat Hill Road in the Southbury hamlet of South Britain is a private organization that protects over 700 acres of numerous natural ecosystems, habitats, un-fragmented forest, grasslands, meadows, swamps and a portion of the Pomperaug River. More than 460 acres of the Bent were bequeathed to the National Audubon Society in 1993 by the late Althea Clark, a devoted naturalist, conservationist and land preservation visionary.

“The 36-hour Give Local Greater Waterbury & Litchfield Hills fundraising campaign from 7:00 a.m. on November 12 to 7:00 p.m. on November 13,” explained Kane, “is timed especially for individuals, companies and organizations planning year-end tax-deductible gifts to their favorite non-profit organizations. Many area people have heard of the Audubon Center at Bent of the River but many are not aware that we depend on donations from individuals, organizations and corporations to keep our land accessible to birders, hikers, nature lovers, walkers and runners year-round. Every dollar donated to The Bent during the Give Local will go directly toward our maintaining of this magnificent natural treasure within our community. Gratefully, every dollar we receive will be generously matched by the Connecticut Community Foundation.”

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“This fundraising campaign was initiated this year,” explained Aubudon Center at Bent of the River Board of Directors Chairperson David Gropper, “and we’ve heard it is already generating excitement with area residents who are planning on giving to The Bent and are encouraging their friends and neighbors to do so as well. With strong social media, traditional advertising and publicity campaigns launched, people are already encouraging each other to help support the natural preservation, maintenance, and education programs offered year-round at Audubon Center at Bent of the River in Southbury.” 

Open to the public year-round, ongoing activities offered at The Bent are trail walks, Audubon hikes, summer camp, environmental education and outreach programs. The Bent features more than 15 miles of un-manicured all-natural hiking trails on varied and beautiful terrains including forests, riversides, and meadows. Many ecosystems thrive at The Bent including deciduous and coniferous forest, rocky ledges, grasslands, old meadows, vernal pools, red maple swamps, and river habitats. Audubon’s ownership of both sides of the Pomperaug River provide almost one mile of an undisturbed and wild environment where beaver, muskrat, river otter, and mink can be found, and Bald Eagles regularly fish. More than 170 species of birds have been recorded and The Bent’s highly diverse eco-systems have been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) in Connecticut, protecting open land and wildlife over one square mile.

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“Give Local” Donations 

The Audubon Center Director Kane stated, “Throughout the 36 hour ‘Give Local’ fundraising campaign of 7:00 a.m. on November 12 to 7:00 p.m. on November 13, donations made to the special website for the Bent will be posted on our Facebook and website pages. Our ambition during this challenge will be to keep our donors closely informed and excited enough to tell other people about this unique opportunity to help the Center receive much-needed and much-appreciated support from the area’s residents and friends. This will be a very important two day fundraising time, and we encourage individuals to donate during the ‘Give Local’ campaign. Each donation will help The Bent become eligible for special prizes and bonuses.” 

To donate to Audubon Center at The Bent of River during the Give Local Greater Waterbury & Litchfield Hills fundraising campaign on Tuesday, November 12 and Wednesday, November 13, go to http://www.givelocalccf.org/npo/131624102 any time between 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 12 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13. Donations of $10 or more can be made via a credit or debit cards. Search the site for Audubon Center at Bent of the River by name and the donation will be made through the Connecticut Community Foundation, and that name will appear on credit and debit card statements next to donation amounts. 

Once a donation is made, the donor will immediately receive an email from the Connecticut Community Foundation confirming the tax-deductible gift. Gift givers are encouraged to retain that e email for tax record purposes.

                                                                           
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