Where are donations going?
We started the Detective Robert "Bobby" Garten Memorial Fund because of the outpour of support from the community. We didn't want to point people to a specific charity and not see where each dollar was going. With the memorial fund, we have the ability to donate to multiple organizations, people and causes that were important to Bobby.
Donations
The Detective Robert "Bobby" Garten Memorial Fund in partnership with the Hartford Yard Goats
$2,000 awarded annually to a Hartford County First Responders Child
Watkinson School Global Studies Fund
$5,000 to the Global Studies Fund start a scholarship at Watkinson School. Bobby was a 2008 graduate and his best memories were a mission trip to Africa. This fund was created to make possible global travel for students with financial need.
Wethersfield Boy Scouts Troop 85
$1,781 has been donated to the Wethersfield Boy Scouts Troop 85 to go towards their summer camp
Raffle Prize Donations
The fund has contributed over $2,000 worth of raffle prizes to date. These raffle prizes are donated to events that support families of fallen or injured/sick Law Enforcement officers. The fund will continue to support these causes.
Fraternal Order of Police
$1,781 has been donated to the Fraternal of Police to go towards their health & wellness fund
Police Unity Tour
The fund contributed donations in over $1000 for the 2025 Police Unity Tour
What are our future plans with donations?
We have so many meaningful ideas in the works for how to continue using the funds raised through the Bobby Garten Memorial Fund. While nothing is official just yet, our focus remains clear: we want to do more for Hartford youth, explore partnerships with aquariums and water-related programs Bobby would have loved, continue to support fallen officers and their families, and most importantly, ensure Bobby’s name, legacy, and impact are never forgotten.
Is the Memorial Fund a non-profit?
As of April 2024, the Detective Robert "Bobby" Garten Memorial Fund is a non-profit, however we are in the final steps of the process of making it a registered 501c3. When the paperwork has been completed, we will update here.