Episode #117: Feeney Talks with Rob Parenti

Show Notes

#BeAGoodFriend and check out episode #117 of #FeeneyTalksWithFriends featuring Rob Parenti.

It was great to talk with my good #friend, Rob!

Rob is a special education teacher and a director of Friends of Feeney.

We talked about:

The 3rd Annual Friends of Feeney Golf Tournament (minute 1)

Being a Special Education Teacher in an Intensive Behavior Program (minute 2)

Kebbi the Educational Robot from MOVIA Robotics (minute 3)

Rob’s educational career path (minute 17)

3 Keys (sponsored by West Hartford Lock) to being a Special Ed. Teacher minute 19)

“Hopes and Dreams” written piece from a fifth grader (minute 20)

How Rob met his wife, Margo (minute 22)

Rob speaks Klingon (minute 23)

Upcoming events (minute 25)

Margo is running the Half Marathon at Hartford Marathon (minute 27)

“Friends of Nicholas” annual event at the Hartford Yard Goats (minute 30)

Rob is a Grief Recovery Coach (minute 33)

The Bristol Blues fundraiser (minute 40)

The “Bristol vs. West Hartford” Game (minute 42)

Recommendations (minute 53)

Rob’s favorite restaurant and 4 dinner guests (minute 57)

Our #friends at Kaoud Rugs (minute 1.00)

Rob’s favorite teacher (minute 1.03)

#BeAGoodFriend yard sign at Rich’s house in Bethany (minute 1.05)

Closing remarks (minute 1.07)

Podcast Sponsors:

Donut Crazy - www.donutcrazy.com

The Fix IV - www.thefixivtherapy.com

West Hartford Lock - www.westhartfordlock.com

Keating Agency Insurance - www.keatingagency.com

Goff Law Group - www.gofflawgroup.net

Parkville Management - www.parkvillemanagement.com

Luna Pizza - www.lunapizzawh.com/lunas-menu

PeoplesBank - www.bankatpeoples.com

Creators and Guests

Host

Eric Feeney

After teaching for nearly a decade at his alma mater in Waterbury, in 2014, Eric Feeney began teaching at Wolcott Elementary in West Hartford. Shortly following, Sam Sohn, the father of one of his students, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. He left behind four beautiful children and a loving wife, Nancy Wallace-Sohn. Eric saw first-hand the toll this took on the family as they navigated their way through this unthinkable tragedy. The following year, Rashad Collier Sr., another father of a student in Eric’s class, passed away in Hartford as a result of gun violence. Rashad left behind two fantastic children and a loving wife, Denise Villegas. The impact of these tragedies weighed on Eric and motivated him to build an organization that could provide assistance for similar situations. With that, Friends of Feeney was born. In 2019, Friends of Feeney Inc. became an official 501©(3) nonprofit organization, allowing more funds to be raised and expanding the range of services provided to children and families in need. Today, over a decade since Eric’s idea to build a community organization dedicated to supporting our friends in need, Friends of Feeney has burgeoned into a reputable and recognized organization capable of providing financial and resource support to numerous families and individuals across greater Hartford and beyond. Through this work, an incredible community of children and families has been recognized, who care for and appreciate each other’s kindness.

Producer

David Chmielewski

David started his video career in the early 1990s working on video crews as an independent contractor for such companies as Martha Stewart Living, IBM and Xerox. After graduating Southern Connecticut State University with the degree in Corporate Communications, David continued his video production career and accepted a position at WFSB in Hartford, CT. Within a few years the news and production studios became his charge and David designed, installed and maintained the televisions sets for the various programs at the station. At the end of 2013 David founded DirectLine Media, a video production company that specializes in creating memorable and compelling video content for businesses.

Editor

Stefania Sassano

Stefania's acting journey began as early as the fourth grade, where she took on the role of Scarlett O'Hara in a stage production of Gone With the Wind. This early experience sparked a lifelong passion for the arts. With a background in musical theater fueled by her love of music and singing, Stefania stepped into larger roles, such as Fraulein Kost in Cabaret during her sophomore year at the University of New Haven. This performance earned her a nomination for the prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Award at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival—an honor she would receive again in her junior year.

What is Feeney Talks With Friends?

Eric Feeney talks with #friends! Eric is the founder of the nonprofit organization Friends of Feeney. Their mission is to help children and families who need assistance after heartbreak and tragedy. www.friendsoffeeney.com