Episode #27: Feeney Talks With Gabby Sohn

Show Notes

Gabby is my former 5th grade student and good #friend! Friends of Feeney was created to help Gabby and her family after they had heartbreak and tragedy. Gabby is a lifeguard at Cornerstone Aquatics and High Meadow Day Camp. She is going into her freshman year at Merrimack College .

Lifeguarding: First. Last. Best. Worst. (minute 30)

Gabby the Lifeguard

Gabby unloading cans from a can drive.

Check out Gabby's mom, Nancy on a previous episode of Feeney Talks With Friends: Episode 5: Feeney Talks With Nancy

Book recommendation: Rules For A Knight by: Ethan Hawke (minute 17)

Upcoming Event: WeHa Whiskey Festival presented by Maximum Beverage

Shout Outs:

https://www.facebook.com/highmeadowdaycamp/

https://cornerstone.recdesk.com/Community/Home

https://donutcrazy.com/locations/west-hartford/

https://lyonsautoservice.com/

http://www.parkroadct.com/about-the-parade

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.

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