To the Editor:

In a year full of cancellations, one group decided that they weren’t willing to let the cancellation of the Newtown Labor Day Parade stop them from attempting to lift the spirits of cancer survivors.

Rob Emmerthal, a member of Hope On Main Street, a fundraising team that honors cancer survivors and their caregivers, organized a “reverse parade.” Rob put the call out to fellow tractor owners and invited them to park their tractors at Edmond Town Hall and encouraged residents to bring their children down to see the tractors and pose for pictures.

When Rob’s fellow teammates from Hope On Main Street expressed interest in having the HOMS team participate he immediately agreed. Some members of Team Hope met on a Saturday (twice) to put together a float covered in signs of encouragement for those battling cancer, honoring the memory of those who have passed and celebrating caregivers. The float was decorated with signs, sunflowers and greenery on loan from Hollandia Nursery.

Hope On Main Street is led by Gayle DiBenedetto of Newtown. Normally the team would have held several fundraising events, including a luminaria bag sale and survivors walk. Due to the fact that so many people are suffering financially during the pandemic, and the risk to people battling cancer, the team did not feel comfortable hosting their usual events; instead they offered things people could do at home during quarantine. HOMS created online puzzles, coloring pages, and created a scavenger hunt for Labor Day weekend.

On Monday, the Hope On Main Street team had their masks in place as they set their float up in front of the General Store. They spent the morning waving at passing cars and handing out lollipops. For three hours cars passed by waving, beeping, and yelling support.

By the time the event ended the team had raised more than $200, but their main goal was to lift spirits, something they easily accomplished. While a number of people visited the float, two particular visitors stood out to Gayle DiBenedetto.

“Today we were visited by two cancer survivors who needed a lift in spirit. They thanked us for our efforts and asked us to continue doing what we can to raise money so that a cure can be made available.”

Another surprise visitor was Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal. Mr Rosenthal heard about the plans for the reverse parade and decided to show his support by standing with the team and waving to passersby. Mr Rosenthal did not come to gain political approval; as a matter of fact, politics were not discussed at all. Instead, Mr. Rosenthal greeted everyone while wearing his mask. He waved at passing cars and posed for a group picture with Team Hope.

In a year that has been anything but “usual”, these Newtown residents found a great way to keep the spirit of the Newtown Labor Day Parade alive and well even under these unusual circumstances. COVID couldn’t stop us — that’s where you’ll find Hope On Main Street.

Maryann Morehouse

Old Waterbury Road, Southbury September 11, 2020

To donate to Hope On Main Street visit www.hopeonmainstreet.com. All funds raised support the American Cancer Society.