Former Board of Education President Creates Charitable Fund

Former school board President Fran Wolski has established a family charitable fund to make grants to enrich the lives of New Britain school children.

The new Raymond and Frances Wolski Family Fund will be administered by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. The donor-advised fund will make small annual grants, with Wolski playing the leading role in choosing how grants are distributed.

Fran Wolski, grew up in New Britain and still lives here. She graduated from Mary Immaculate Academy in 1952. Ray Wolski, who passed away last year, was a fellow New Britain native, graduating from New Britain High School in 1952. The couple have three children, Peter and Ken Wolski and Karen Prendergast.

“I love New Britain, the school district and I am proud to be a New Britainite,” says Wolski.

Wolski, a Democrat, served for twelve years on the Board of Education. She was Board President for four years. Previously she was a school employee for sixteen years.

“It was such an eye-opener to see how invested our teachers were in students’ lives and how much need our children and families faced,” said Wolski, “It was heartwarming and heart-wrenching at the same time.”

“I feel we need to better prepare our children and to give them whatever joy we can to inspire them,” she said. “The more help we can give these children at a younger age, the better.”

The new charitable fund is created to fulfill her desire to help New Britain children.

“I don’t want to supply these children with paper and pencils. I want to supply them with experiences,” said Wolski.

The Community Foundation says that people seeking information on planned giving options can contact Ann Bova at 860-229-6018, ext. 302, or [email protected] or can visit the Foundation’s Planned Giving website at www.cfgnbgiving.org.