New Statewide Fundraising Campaign Will Bring Mental Health Emergency Training to Hospitality Workers
The Bear’s Foundation and CT Restaurant & Hospitality Association Partner on New Initiative to Begin in 2027
HARTFORD, CONN. – The Bear's Foundation, in partnership with the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association, is proud to announce a powerful new fundraising program through their Linked4Life Initiative aimed at bringing critical mental health emergency training to restaurant and hospitality workers across Connecticut.
This collaborative campaign will mobilize hospitality professionals, community members, and supporters to participate in the 2026 Eversource Hartford Marathon while raising funds to support the development and launch of statewide mental health training sessions scheduled to take place during Spring 2027.
As part of this effort, The Bear’s Foundation is honored to be named an Official Charity Partner of the 2026 Eversource Hartford Marathon, taking place on October 10, 2026.
Addressing a Critical Need
The restaurant and hospitality industry faces unique challenges, including high stress, long hours, and limited access to mental health resources. This initiative seeks to directly address those challenges by funding:
Mental health emergency response training tailored to hospitality environments
Educational materials and toolkits for restaurants and hotels
Instructor certification and program delivery
Statewide opportunities for participation in Spring 2027
Running for a Cause
Through the Eversource Hartford Marathon partnership, participants who join The Bear’s Foundation Running Team will make an impact in several ways:
Register to run or walk in the marathon as an individual
Form a team with your restaurant, bar, or hotel staff
Fundraise through personal and team campaigns
Make a direct donation to support the mission
Together, this partnership aims to create safer, stronger workplaces and ensure that those who serve others have access to the support they need.
"This initiative has been years in the making. The first conversations began just before COVID, and my team and I are incredibly excited to see this vision finally come to life through our partnerships with the Hartford Marathon Foundation and the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association,” said Cheryl Antoncic, Founder of The Bear’s Foundation and Co-Owner of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ. “Together, we are taking the first tangible step toward giving hospitality professionals the awareness, tools, and confidence to connect their colleagues to support early — before challenges become crises. We invite individuals, teams, and businesses across Connecticut to join us by running, fundraising, or donating to help bring this vital training to our industry.”
“Restaurant and hospitality workers dedicate their lives to taking care of others, and often that can mean putting their own well-being second. The fast-paced, high-pressure nature of our industry makes accessible mental health support an absolute necessity," said Scott Dolch, President and CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association. "By partnering with The Bear’s Foundation, we are taking a crucial step toward equipping our workforce with the tools they need to navigate mental health emergencies. We urge our entire hospitality community to join us at the Eversource Hartford Marathon to help fund this life-saving training."
For more information, to register, or to donate, please visit here.
ABOUT CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION
The Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association is a full service, not-for-profit trade association dedicated to supporting every type and size of hospitality business (restaurant, hotel, caterer, inn and more). We are advocates for the Connecticut hospitality industry, a hub for information and a platform for networking. We commit ourselves to offering cost effective benefits and resources you need to run a profitable business. The industry plays an integral role in Connecticut’s economy employing more than 170,000 hospitality workers and generating more than $21 billion in annual sales. Along with the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation (CHEF), the Association protects, advances, and educates the growing industry. Learn more at www.ctrestaurant.org.
ABOUT THE BEAR’S FOUNDATION
Bear’s Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 organization founded in 2020 by Bear’s Smokehouse LLC. The Foundation seeks to further the restaurant group’s mission of serving the communities in which they are located and raising awareness to important issues affecting society on local and national levels. Its primary initiative, Linked4Life, focuses on raising mental health awareness especially in the Food and Beverage industry.
CONTACT:
Cassie Therriault | Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ
Director of Marketing & Strategic Partnerships
Cassie@bearsbbq.com | 860-785-8772 ext. 4
Katie Gerber | Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association
Communications & Engagement Manager
gerber@ctrestaurant.org | 860-278-8008