Local Entrepreneur Supports Village with Fundraisers

When Curt Cameron is asked why he supports the Village the answer is not as simple as you might think. Certainly he feels a personal connection to the organization: Cameron was adopted from the Village when he was 9 months old. In this regard, he considers himself very lucky. His adoptive family was wonderful; his parents were loving and gave him everything he needed for a happy and successful life.

And indeed, Cameron has been very successful. Many times over, you might say. Cameron's career has been varied to say the least. He jokes that he suffers from corporate ADD. But at every step of the way, whether working in the software industry or starting and running his own landscaping business, he has been successful and enjoyed himself. Over the years, his career has taken him toward entrepreneurship. Cameron especially enjoys the challenges of starting a business, happy once things have stabilized and become routine to pass them over to someone else. He is justifiably proud that when the time has come to sell, he has always passed on a healthy, thriving business.

Cameron's current venture is the Thomas Hooker Brewery, located in Bloomfield. He bought the boutique brewery about three years ago and although it is not a start up, Cameron is treating it as one and has been busy building the brand. A hands-on manager, he is happy to do whatever task each day calls for whether its promoting his product at a food festival or getting up to his elbows fixing a piece of machinery on the brewery floor.

Thomas Hooker also offered him a unique way to support the Village. The Brewery is still working toward profitability, but Cameron wasn't going to let that stop him and his staff from doing something to make a difference in the community. Thomas Hooker often sponsors events to benefit a variety of charities. When Cameron decided to turn scheduled open houses into fundraisers, he immediately thought of the Village. Cameron was impressed with how the Village has endured and that more than 40 years after making a difference in his life, the organization continues to help families and children in the Hartford community.

For $10, the first and third Friday of every month, visitors get a chance to see how handcrafted ales and lagers are brewed, have some pizza courtesy of Harry's Bishop's Corner, and sample some excellent craft-brewed beer. Thomas Hooker then donates a portion of each evening's proceeds to the Village. The events have been a tremendous success. Cameron notes that the evenings are much more festive and enjoyable when everyone knows that together they are making a gift to support the Village. If you are interested in attending an open house at Thomas Hooker, call (860) 242-3111 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .