HARTFORD, CONN.—Money may be tight, but when it comes to green all things are possible. That was shown by the Connecticut Floor Covering Association (CFCA), which collected $10,000 for local charities from two events it recently hosted that focused on green.

The first was a half-day event called “The Green Impact” and featured a number of educational sessions to help members better understand the complexities and opportunities within the environmental movement. The day was capped off with a keynote speech and Q&A by Randy Merritt, president of Shaw Industries. The other green event had nothing to do with the environmental, rather it was the association’s “Annual Benefit Golf Outing.”

While both events were geared to educate members and give them a chance to network, CFCA president Karen Cook, Cook & Kolzak Flooring Center, Canton, Conn., said they were also a way for the organization to raise money for a variety of worthy causes.

Of the $10,000 raised between the two events, $5,000 was donated to Riverfront Recapture, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the Connecticut River through the development of parks and public recreational facilities that improve the quality of life for the people who live and work in the area.

CFCA’s donation went to Riverfront’s youth programs designed to focus on the region’s at-risk youth in identifying positive choices while participating in a variety of programs from rowing to learning about river environments.

The House of Bread, which serves the area’s hungry, homeless and needy through food pantries, shelters, temporary and permanent housing, and support programs all designed to be done with simplicity, dignity and respect, received $3,000 from CFCA to assist with its mission.

Lastly, CFCA’s own scholarship fund was awarded $2,000 to help the association continue to provide educational scholarships to members and their families.

For more information about CFCA and its ongoing educational and social opportunities, contact Cook at 860.693.2202.