Hearts of Hope Newtown recently hosted a Paint with a Purpose event honoring 911 Emergency Dispatchers. State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) and Marty Foncello (R-107) were among those to attend the April 17 event at Newtown Community Center. The evening was scheduled midway through National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

Both men thanked the organization for their continued efforts to bring hope to those who serve the community.

Bolinsky said 911 emergency dispatchers are often taken for granted, “but they’re the calming, helpful voice we hear first when we call for help. They begin the process of directing resources and the appropriate public safety response we need.

“They’re seldom on the line long enough for us to be able to say, ‘Thank you for caring,’” the state representative added. “Hearts of Hope helps express our gratitude in a simple, beautiful way.”

The local Hearts of Hope chapter is currently led by President Diane Sarna and Vice President Ivey Pearson.

What the women, Bolinsky said, “have built allows members of our community to come together to create these hand-painted messages of hope, kindness, and encouragement for folks, or entire communities, who need and deserve a hug.”

Foncello offered his thanks to the local chapter “for hosting a wonderful night to honor 911 Emergency Dispatchers. This was perfect timing to show appreciation for these dedicated individuals during a week set aside to recognize their work.

“Emergency dispatchers work behind the scenes and are often the calming voice for people at some of the worst moments in their lives. They are not seen, but they are heard and I thank them for their service,” he added.

About a dozen community members attended the event. In spite of it being a rainy and blustery evening, guests were enthusiastic and happy to be part of such a wonderful endeavor. Attendees were reportedly from Bethel, Middlebury and even Berlin in addition to Newtown.

Newtown Emergency Communications Center Director Maureen Will, who also serves as the town’s deputy emergency management director, spoke with participants about the work of dispatchers and what goes on behind the scenes during emergency calls. She also relayed how much the painted ceramic hearts, along with the messages of hope, meant to Newtown dispatchers when a previous batch was delivered to them.

Hearts of Hope is a healing art program formed following 9/11 attacks. The Newtown chapter was started in the wake of 12/14. Attendees of events are encouraged to paint simple messages and/or images on palm-sized ceramic hearts which are then shared with their intended recipients.