The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is pleased to shine a spotlight on Sherry Perkins in our Community Proud series.

Sherry Perkins has spent much of her life rooted in Connecticut, with deep ties to southeastern Connecticut that continue to shape her work today. She grew up in Hebron, lived in the New London area for 15 years, and while she now resides in Mansfield, returning to work in this region feels like coming home. Sherry holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in history and is a proud wife, mother to a 22 year old daughter, and devoted pet parent to two cats and a dog. When time allows, you will also find her on her sailboat.

Sherry’s commitment to service began more than 26 years ago through volunteering with her church and Girl Scouts. That passion grew into two years of professional work with Girl Scouts and has since evolved into more than six years serving Community Action Agencies. Helping people navigate challenges and connect with resources is not just her career, but her purpose.

Today, Sherry serves as Assistant Director of Fundraising & Events at Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA). In this role, she raises critical funds to support more than 34 programs across Eastern Connecticut, programs that impacted over 25,000 people last year. Alongside fundraising, she plans and manages events, builds partnerships, and works to raise awareness of services that many people do not realize exist until they need them.

Sherry came to TVCCA with a unique mix of experience. She handled fundraising and events for her church for a decade, worked in insurance for four years, and spent nearly four years in a similar role at Access Community Action Agency. When TVCCA made the decision to more intentionally engage the community for support, Sherry stepped in to help build the agency’s fundraising efforts from the ground up.

Since joining TVCCA, Sherry has expanded appeal campaigns, increased the number of fundraising events, developed new partnerships, and strengthened the organization’s presence throughout the community. While she is proud of successful events, including the growth of TVCCA’s Mini Golf Tournament to the point of adding a second tee time, what matters most to her is the impact of the work itself. She describes her role as getting to “brag” about an organization that truly changes lives every day.

Building trust, for Sherry, comes down to being approachable and honest. With 18 years in the restaurant industry, connecting with people has always come naturally. She believes trust is earned through clarity, helping people understand exactly what TVCCA does, who it serves, and why community support matters.

TVCCA is actively involved with all four Chambers of Commerce it belongs to, as well as community parades, Trick or Trunk events, outreach fairs, and local gatherings. Sherry is also a member of the Shoreline Networking Group, a group she values for its genuine support and connection. These touchpoints allow TVCCA to meet people where they are and remind the community that help is available, and that the work relies on continued support.

What keeps Sherry connected to this area is knowing that every town has people who need help and that she can play a role in connecting them with solutions. Though she may not live here now, southeastern Connecticut has always felt like home.

Sherry is inspired by problem solving and connection. She believes every challenge has a solution and that with time, creativity, and collaboration, those solutions reveal themselves. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, especially roses and peonies, working on her sailboat, cooking, and watching hockey.

Sherry is quick to credit the more than 400 employees of TVCCA, who prepare and deliver Meals on Wheels, help families stay warm, educate young children, support housing stability, provide WIC and Alliance services, assist with employment through the American Job Center, and so much more. They are the people doing the work she is proud to share with the community.

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is honored to recognize Sherry Perkins for her dedication to service, connection, and strengthening the communities she serves.