Residents of Newtown and anyone in the vicinity are reminded that Sandy Hook native John DiCostanzo, and a few friends, will be returning to Oklahoma for the second time since the fatal EF5 tornado of May 20. He and three friends drove to Oklahoma less than a week after that weather event, bringing two large SUVs and two 20-foot trailers filled with supplies to help those in the affected areas.

John will be departing tomorrow afternoon (Friday, June 21), and would like to bring as much as possible with him when he returns to the area of Moore, Okla.

While Mr DiCostanzo now lives and works in Harwinton, he will be stopping in Newtown on his way out of the area on Friday. The Newtown Bee has a collection box in its front office at 5 Church Hill Road, and will continue to accept donations until 1 pm Friday. The office will be open until at least 6 pm tonight, and will reopen by 7:30 Friday morning. 

John posted a note on his Facebook page earlier this morning with plenty of ideas for anyone who would like to help. We have copied and pasted his list, below:

For homeowners:

Hand tools for moving debris

Work gloves

Gift cards to help rebuild (Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Target)

Personal hygiene products

American flags and flag poles for use on rebuilt houses

For students:

Have any unused musical instruments? Please consider donating them.

Also, anyone who may be able to help getting new band uniforms (colors royal blue and white) would be helpful!

Play therapy items for damaged libraries:

Community Playthings mobile infant sensory table (2)

Community Playthings toddler sensory table (2)

Community Playthings preschool-age sensory table (2)

Play-doh by the case in the standard size containers in all colors

Play-doh modeling clay

Play-doh tools, to manipulate the Play-doh and the modeling clay

Sensory balls

Soft rag dolls (of all races and ethnic groups, both boys and girls)

Taggies blanket squares (brand for infants and mobile infants)

Taggies cloth books

Johnson & Johnson lavender bedtime cream

Johnson & Johnson lavender bedtime lotion

Johnson & Johnson lavender shampoo

Sensory table manipulative sets from Community Playthings

Monetary donations:

If you would like to give a monetary donation towards one or more of the above items, please include a note with your donation to let John know what your money should be used for.