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Hearts Of Hope From Newtown Arrive In California

Published: Apr 26, 2025 8:00 am

The Newtown chapter of Hearts of Hope presented a Paint with a Purpose painting party at Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue’s main station in late February, and one local family recently made sure the hand painted gifts reached their destination.

The event was created to honor the California firefighters in light of the massive wildfires they faced in January. Dozens of hand painted hearts were created with inspirational messages on February 25. Event attendees were told their gifts would be sent to California firefighters as a way of honoring their heroic work.

During spring break last week, the Engelke family of Sandy Hook visited The Frank Hotchkin Memorial Center in Los Angeles. There, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Engineer Brian Engelke; wife Barbara, a member of the company’s Ladies Auxiliary; and their son Grayson hand delivered the gifts from Newtown.

Dozens of palm-sized ceramic hearts were decorated during the February event. Women Involved in Newtown (WIN) and the SHVFR Ladies Auxiliary partnered with Hearts of Hope-Newtown to support the effort.

In addition, dogs and their handlers from Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs participated, much to the delight of guests and sponsors.

Frank Hotchkin Memorial Center Social Media Director Ronni Gallegos (left), with Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Engineer Brian Engelke and his son Grayson, and LA Firefighter Alex Huang, hold some of the painted hearts created during a Hearts of Hope-Newtown event in February. The Engelke family delivered the gifts to Los Angeles firefighters last week. —Barbara Engelke photo

Dozens of palm-sized ceramic hearts were decorated for Los Angeles firefighters during the February Hearts of Hope-Newtown event. —Bee Photo, Glass

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Thank you LeReine, for speaking out about this. The list of public servants who are unfairly targeted for abuse just for doing their jobs has been growing. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that otherwise good and well-meaning people can get so emotional as to act out in this way.

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While I respect the outcome of the referendum, I’m disappointed by the way this budget was presented and passed. A 6.72% tax increase and a mill rate jump to 28.78 may have been framed as “just a few dollars a day,” but for many families in town — especially those already stretched thin — those “few dollars” add up quickly. It’s frustrating to see large increases minimized in this way, and I worry that next year we’ll hear, “It’s only a little more than last year,” as if that justifies an ongoing trend of rising taxes. This year’s combined municipal and education budgets total over $141 million — that’s a significant sum.

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All of the referendums deserve to be pasted. We have a history of deferring needed maintenance and then paying more years later. These are required to keep our town owned building and roads in working condition.

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Every vote matters and that’s exactly why it’s important to recognize that voting No on a proposed budget is not a vote against Newtown, but rather a vote for accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. Last year, when voters rejected the education budget in its first round, it wasn’t just a symbolic gesture—it resulted in a reduced spending plan that ultimately passed. That outcome showed that our voices can and do make a difference. Voting “No” is one of the few tools residents have to encourage our town leaders to re-evaluate spending, find creative solutions, and prioritize needs over wants. So yes, please vote on April 22—but don’t be afraid to vote “No” if you believe we can do better. Last year’s vote proved that when residents speak up, real changes can follow.

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Breaking the tax increase down to a “cost per day” may make it sound more palatable, but it minimizes the real impact these increases have—especially on those already struggling with rising costs across the board. A dollar here and a dollar there adds up, and for many families, it's not just about the price of a cup of coffee—it's about stretching every dollar to cover groceries, fuel, healthcare, and housing. A 6.72% property tax increase is significant, regardless of how it’s framed. Saying “it’s only $1.13 a day” overlooks the fact that for some residents, every expense matters. Just because costs are rising doesn’t mean the burden should automatically fall on taxpayers without exploring real efficiencies, cost savings, or long-term planning. We need to prioritize fiscal responsibility and find smarter ways to manage our town’s needs without assuming residents can or should absorb another round of tax hikes.

Is Our Community Worth $1.67 Per Day?

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Hearts Of Hope From Newtown Arrive In California

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