On Saturday, September 19, Sam's Children held its 16th Annual Gala at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, Connecticut. FastDragon was there, took part, and is proud to support the work this charity does for Connecticut families.
What Sam's Children does
Sam's Children was started in 2010 by Sam's Food Stores, a Connecticut convenience store chain. It helps families who have a child with a serious illness or disability, and it pays for the parts of life outside the medical bills that keep going while a child is sick: the electric bill, groceries, household items, school supplies, clothing, and scholarships. It has helped more than 1,000 Connecticut families so far.
When a parent is spending nights at the hospital, the bills at home still come due. That is the gap this charity fills, close to home.
The gala
| Event | Sam's Children Inc. 16th Annual Gala |
| Date | Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 5 PM |
| Venue | Aqua Turf Club, 556 Mulberry Street, Plantsville, Connecticut |
| Charity | Sam's Children Inc., Rocky Hill, Connecticut. A 501(c)(3) founded in 2010 by Sam's Food Stores |
| Who it helps | Connecticut families of children with a serious illness or disability |
The gala is the charity's biggest fundraiser of the year. Sixteen years in, it is a night for the store operators, suppliers and neighbors who keep the charity going.
Why a fuel software company shows up
The convenience store business is local. The people who run the stores, haul the fuel and stock the shelves live in the same towns as their customers, and when one of those families has a sick child, the industry has a way to help. Sam's Children came out of a store chain, and the stores, suppliers and partners around it are the people who keep it running.
FastDragon is the modern back office for independent fuel and c-store operators. Those operators are our customers, and this is their community. FastDragon is part of the New England fuel and convenience community, built by people in the fuel business since 1995, and we are proud to stand with Sam's Food Stores and everyone else in the room who gives to this cause year after year.
How to give
Sam's Children is a 501(c)(3) public charity, so gifts are tax deductible. You can give through samschildren.org or the charity's gala page on Givebutter. If you run a store or supply one in Connecticut, ask about sponsoring next year's gala.
Questions people ask
What is Sam's Children?
Sam's Children Inc. is a Connecticut charity based in Rocky Hill, founded in 2010 by the Sam's Food Stores convenience store chain. It gives non-medical help to Connecticut families of children with a serious illness or disability: household items, utility bills, food, school supplies, clothing and scholarships. It has helped more than 1,000 families.
When was the Sam's Children 2026 gala?
The 16th Annual Sam's Children Gala was held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, Connecticut.
How do I donate to Sam's Children?
Sam's Children takes donations through its website, samschildren.org, and its Givebutter page. It is a 501(c)(3) public charity, EIN 27-1746396.
Is FastDragon a supporter of Sam's Children?
Yes. FastDragon, the modern back office for independent fuel and c-store operators, took part in the 2026 Sam's Children gala and is a proud supporter of the charity.
Sources
Gala date and venue from the charity's Givebutter gala page. Charity details from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and the charity's own descriptions. Read October 1, 2026.