To the Editor:

Families United in Newtown (FUN), a community recreational program for special needs individuals and their families, successfully ran a fundraiser Sunday, April 25th at Edmond Town Hall. The 2019 live action Disney film remake [of The Lion King] by Jon Favreau filled the auditorium with familiar tunes by new voices. One hundred-and-seventeen movie goers filled the seats — socially distanced — to enjoy the film.

Many thanks to Ingersoll Auto of Danbury for sponsoring the movie during Autism Awareness Month. We also thank the Newtown Community Center, R.E Lawlor Graphics, Bethel, and Edmond Town Hall (Sheila Torres and the amazing staff). We are so grateful to sponsors who make such an event possible.

Many thanks to all the individuals and businesses that supported our “Light it Up Blue” campaign which targets the promotion of awareness and acceptance of the condition we call autism. We honor the students that made our video (Ava Holmes); Newtown High School; Newtown National Honor Society; and First Selectman Dan Rosenthal; Newtown Parks and Recreation; Dawn Lipke (donations); Kristen Glehan (social media); Volunteers Beth Meszaros, Linda and Bill Soter, Anita and Peter Lucsky, Maura Granville, Doris Samson; the bake sale bakers; Jodi DiPiazzas (New Jersey); The Newtown Bee; and FUN Board/ Volunteers and community volunteers. We could never do these events without the support of many people. Many thanks for the generous door prize donations. We offer sincere gratitude to everyone who supported our event by purchasing movie tickets and/or making financial donations.

On behalf of our participating children, teens, adults, and their families, our volunteer mentors and our Board of Directors, I send my heartfelt thanks to Newtown and surrounding communities for supporting our goal. Your backing of FUN means the world to us and the individuals and families we serve.

Duane and Linda Jones, Founders of FUN

16 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook April 30, 2021