Area Banks Back Habitat

By Melissa Grossman

The Housatonic Habitat for Humanity gathered with corporations in the Danbury area June 1 at the Ethan Allen Inn for their fifth annual fundraising breakfast. Reverend Ann Beams, president of Habitat, led the introduction and recognition of area banks that gave corporate contributions.

The Ridgefield Bank, Union Savings Bank, The Savings Bank of Danbury, and Newtown Savings Bank all donated money to the organization. All Banks contributed an equal amount of money. Newtown Savings Bank gave an extra check with the proceeds from a blood drive/fundraiser that netted $750 for Habitat.

The keynote speaker at this event was John Patrick, VP of Internet Technology at IBM. He is in charge of a task force focused on the next generation of the Internet. He spoke of the Internet today and the Internet of the future. He reported, “The good news is that you can find anything on the Internet, but the bad news is you can find anything.”

Other sponsors were CL&P, Union Carbide, IBM, Cendant Mobility, Valley Presbyterian Church, Rotary Club of Danbury, Ethan Allen Corporation, Metagroup Inc., and Praxair, Inc., SSR Realty, Christ Episcopal Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, St Stephen’s Church, Congregational Church of New Fairfield, and Norfield Congregational Church, Kimberly Schock, Jeanne Cook, Danbury Housing Authority, Putnam Self Storage, Bruce Smith, Ann Beams, Century 21, Rich McDermott and the Thursday Work Crew, Town of Ridgefield Affordable Housing Committee, and the Ginsburg Development Corp.

“I was very pleased at the turnout with the community, and so was the board. We had a breadth of representation that we had,” Reverend Ann Beams said. “It gives us great encouragement as we move forward in our housing ministry.”