5th Annual Community, Cocktails and Comedy Fundraiser Goes Virtual Oct. 24th

TORRINGTON, CT, - Community Health & Wellness’s (CHW) 5th annual fundraiser, Community, Cocktails & Comedy, goes virtual with Zoom this year on Saturday, October 24th, at 6:30 pm. The evening features three professional standup comedians and an array of raffle prizes, with admission just $35 to support the nonprofit, federally qualified health center, which serves the underserved in northwest Connecticut. 

“Who doesn’t need a laugh these days?” says Joanne Borduas, CHW's CEO. “While we cannot gather together in person, we are excited to offer our fundraiser virtually so people can enjoy the evening in the comfort of their own homes, safely sharing a good time with family and close friends.”

Community, Cocktails & Comedy offers a full evening of entertainment that includes headliner Joe DeVito. Known for his dead-on timing, unexpected twists, and sheer flights of lunacy make Devito a favorite at clubs and colleges across the US, and at top venues in New York City. The former journalist and advertising writer has appeared on television more than 150 times, including on Comedy Central, the Late Late Show (CBS), Last Comic Standing (NBC) AXS-tv’s Gotham Comedy Live, Comics Unleashed, E! Network, CNN, and other TV shows. DeVito is also a regular panelist on FOX News Channel’s Red Eye, Kennedy, and The Greg Gutfeld Show, discussing current events with a satirical bent.

As a writer, DeVito has contributed to Maxim magazine, MTV, and the award-winning film Super Size Me. His debut album “First Date with Joe DeVito” is in regular rotation on Spotify and Sirius XM satellite radio. For more information visit https://www.joedevito.com.

The fundraiser also features comedian Matt Jenkins, who is known for his rapid-fire, quickwitted brand of comedy. He has become known as one of the New York metropolitan area’s strongest clean comics, and uses his diverse background—in combination with solid joke writing and charisma—to give audiences a relatable as well as memorable experience. For more information visit https://www.mattjenkinscomic.com.

Emcee for the evening, stand-up Joel Richardson is the founder of Soul Joel Productions, the biggest independent comedy production company on the East Coast. Back in 2009, Richardson left his day job, cashed out his 401K, and started producing comedy shows full time while running Soul Joel Productions. Producing shows in 21 different states allowed him to take the best qualities of each venue to bring the vision and dream of opening SoulJoel's to life.

Each of shows Richardson produces feature the best comics from around the country, many of whom have appeared on such hit programs as The Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime, and MTV. For more information visit http:// www.SoulJoels.com. 

​There are a number of gift cards that are being raffled off as part of the fundraiser, ranging from restaurants to retailers, including Tiffanys, Winvian Farm, Home Depot, and Amazon. Individuals do not need to purchase a ticket to the comedy show to enter the raffle, and tickets are on sale now.

To view raffle prizes and purchase raffle tickets visit Eventgroove. The online system selects the winners and notifies them the night of the event as to which prize(s) they have won. The gift cards will be sent to winners via the USPS.

​“We are so grateful for the level of support we have received from our sponsors and raffle prize donors,” says Borduas. “All monies raised help Community Health & Wellness continue to provide its services to those who need it most.”

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