The Giving Circle Honors Founders March 30; Raises Money To Support Charity Work

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Giving Circle, a small, local charity that does big work in Saratoga Springs while also operating schools and medical clinics in rural Uganda, will honor founders Mark and Kelly Bertrand at a special gala at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 at Canfield Casino in Congress Park.

The Giving Circle’s annual Compassion Awards, chaired by Business for Good leaders Lisa and Ed Mitzen, will formally honor and recognize the Bertrands, who founded The Giving Circle after Hurricane Katrina and led the charity’s response to numerous natural disasters in the United States before expanding its work to Uganda.

The Giving Circle’s current projects include aiding three families of Ukrainian refugees. In the past year, volunteers also performed yard cleanups and led holiday caroling through its partnership with the Saratoga Senior Center; served regular meals to the homeless near Congress Park; and sent skilled tradesmen to perform home repairs for the economically disadvantaged.

For more information about the March 30 “Celebrating Compassion” event, go to: thegivingcircle.org.