Day Kimball Healthcare’s Cruisin’ for Cancer Care committee hosted a Guest Bartender Night at the Black Dog Bar and Grille in Putnam on Thursday, March 30 and raised $6,125 for the Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of Day Kimball Healthcare. The fund provides financial assistance for cancer screening and treatment to Northeast Connecticut residents in need.

(Read on below the photos to see who our local celebrity guest bartenders were...)

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“We were absolutely overwhelmed by the turnout and the outpouring of community support for this event,” said DKH Director of Development Kristen Willis. “Our Cruisin’ for Cancer Committee has worked tirelessly for the past 14 years in support of the NE CT Cancer fund, raising funds primarily through an annual motorcycle and car cruise. And when the Deary Family passed the torch to DKH in 2015 as stewards of the cancer fund, the committee immediately stepped up to take on this annual fundraiser as well. To have this level of success in their 2nd year is amazing, but a true testament to the deep commitment and dedication this community has to the fight against cancer. We’re so proud of our guest bartenders and couldn’t be more grateful to all of the community members who made this event such a success.”

The evening’s guest bartenders were split into six teams, all competing to earn the most tips on behalf of the cancer fund. The teams and guest bartenders included: 

• Bank HomeTown, featuring Jo-Ann Chenail, Monique Mailloux, Maria Thomas and Norma Collins
• Day Kimball Hospital Oncology Staff, featuring Carolina Starr-Manning, Jody Peltier, Kate Tartaglia, Lauren King, Crystal Auger, Sharon Laurito, Michelle Donahue and Erin McNamara
• Putnam Ford, featuring Rick Place, Jake Dykeman, Danny Goyette and David Pomes
• WINY & Friends, featuring Gary Osbrey, Linda Colangelo, Laura Crosetti, Donna Grant, and Missy Bonsall
• Gates Auto Group, featuring Craig Gates, Mark Dexter, Tom Borner and Gene Michael Deary
• Day Kimball Healthcare Administration and Facilities Crew, featuring Joseph Adiletta, John O’Keefe, Greg Harubin, Paul Gallerani, Bob Andrews and Mike Trudeau

Congratulations to Gates Auto Group, the winning team who raised $1,602 for the NECT Cancer Fun! Bank HomeTown wasn't far behind, bringing $1,355. Great job!

Cruisin’ for Cancer Care committee members who volunteered their time to coordinate the event include Lori Bennett, Deb DeMarco-Perry, Trish Holland Caprera, Nancy Kenyon, James Perry, Dick Salvas, Michael Trudeau, Pat Hedenberg and Kristen Willis.

The Guest Bartender Night was held as a lead-up to the annual Cruisin’ for Cancer Care motorcycle and classic car cruise and barbecue, to be held this year on Sunday, June 25.