Particle logo 2017In advance of the 11th Annual Particle Accelerator this coming Saturday June 10, organizers were thrilled Tuesday to receive a donation of $2,500 from the Quinebaug Valley Regional Rotaract Club’s 2nd Annual Cornhole Classic.

“Particle Accelerator is dedicated to raising awareness for suicide and depression, and community partnership is critical to achieving that mission,” said United Services President/CEO Diane Manning. “We are grateful to the Rotaract Club for supporting Particle and United Services through their Cornhole Classic and helping to spread the message of hope in our community.”

Particle Accelerator is a free, all day music festival that features 15 bands playing music of all genres and for all ages. The concert begins at noon and will continue until 9 p.m. Saturday and for the first time will be on Main Street in downtown Putnam.

During the festival, Main Street will be closed to traffic from Lee Street to Route 44. The concert remains a free event, so the road and sidewalks will remain open to pedestrian traffic.

The QVR Rotaract Club is a community service and professional networking organization for young professionals, ages 18 to 35, in northeastern Connecticut. The Rotaract Club’s Cornhole Classic, held June 3, featured 30 teams competing at the Thompson Speedway.

Rotaract Club President Mallory Moreau said each year the club chooses a non-profit or an event that has a positive impact in our local community to support, and this year it was a “clear choice in selecting Particle Accelerator.”

“The event and mission work in perfect harmony of Rotaract’s commitment to Service above Self,” Moreau said. “We know the funds we raised will go far in supporting Particle Accelerator to raise awareness and fund supports for mental health locally in such a timely manner.”

Particle Accelerator benefits United Services’ Mental Health First Aid Training, a public education initiative that helps the public identify people in the midst of a mental health crisis more readily and get them the resources and professional help they need before they harm themselves or others.

The festival also aims to provide information and support for depression and suicide prevention, while promoting music and civic engagement as a healthy alternative to drug and alcohol abuse among young adults.

The Rotaract Club joins United Lens, The Savings Institute Bank & Trust, Wheelabrator, Byrnes Agency and Cannery Music Hall as top sponsors of this year’s event.

The concert is organized by Putnam residents Jack and Grace Young and Eric and Sandy Gould with the help of many volunteer artists, bands, sound and lighting technicians and many others. Terry and Sarah Paquette, owners of The Stomping Ground on Main Street in Putnam, joined the event as honorary chairpersons this year.

The festival is held in memory of local musician Jack Young, Jr. In addition to the concert, the family-friendly festival will also feature art displays, children’s activities and booths from local nonprofit organizations providing information on various local behavioral health and human services. A basket drawing will also be held at the event.

In 10 years, Particle Accelerator has raised more than $50,000 for local mental health services.

United Services, Inc., one of Connecticut’s most comprehensive private, non-profit behavioral health centers, providing mental and behavioral health education, prevention, treatment and social services to the children, adults and families of northeastern Connecticut since 1964. United Services offers mental health assistance 24/7/365 at 860-774-2020.  For more information visit UnitedServicesCT.org.