Newtown Digs Down Deep To Help Out

By Tanjua Damon

Americans have their squabbles and differences, but when tragedy strikes they unite. Newtown proved that Saturday as the town’s five fire companies and ambulance corps spent six hours collecting donations for the Emergency Services’ Children’s Fund, raising almost $60,000.

From 9 am to 3 pm Saturday, emergency services personnel collected $58,012 at several locations — Big Y, Stop & Shop, Dodgingtown Market, Riverside and Church Hill, and Route 6 and Route 25 in Hawleyville. The donated money is to help children of New York City firefighters who died or were injued by the attacks on September 11. More than 300 firefighters are still missing in the World Trade Center after responding to help around 9 am on that fateful day.

The stories from Saturday showed the community’s generosity. Firefighters describe how people were digging in their ashtrays for change or writing checks on the spot for $1,000, or donating all their tips from work and coming back with more than $500 after taking collections at work. It was a touching day for those collecting the funds.

“They couldn’t give enough money. People were dumping money left and right. People actually had money waiting,” said Bill Brunetti, Jr, of Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company, who organized the drive. “We had a phenomenal amount of support from everybody. When I opened the account at Newtown Savings Bank I said I’d like to see $10,000 in it. I couldn’t believe it.”

Fire Marshal Bill Halstead said the outpouring of support on Saturday was truly amazing.

“I just don’t think anyone really anticipated this. It was just really tremendous,” Mr Halstead said. “It was nothing for people to pull out $100s, $20, or bundles of $10s. It was just amazing. We couldn’t believe how it was coming in.”

The remarks people shared also showed the great support to those who volunteer and put their lives in danger to help someone else.

“The nice comments too. People would say we don’t realize what you do,” Mr Halstead said. “All week long people just thanked everybody for what they do for the Town of Newtown.”

Bob Nute of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company collected in Sandy Hook Center and was astonished the generosity people displayed.

“It was an incredible outpouring of support from the community, even from people who were not a part of our community,” Mr Nute said. “I can’t count the number of times there were tears in my eyes. It was truly something that I’ve never seen. I was sad to be there, but at the same time happy to be there as we all were.”

Newtown Hook & Ladder spent time in the Big Y shopping plaza collecting money and other supplies that people wanted to donate.

“I think the people in Newtown were incredible. Just about everybody who walked by dug into their pockets,” Corey Robinson said. “Their hearts went out to the people in New York City.”

Botsford firemen collected at the Stop & Shop plaza, and although Chief Stephen Belair was unable to help collect, he was pleased to hear about people’s willingness to give.

“They had a lot of support,” Mr Belair said. “Everybody was real supportive.”

Donation cans will be available at the Newtown Health Fair at Newtown Middle School this Saturday. Collections will continue through early November. Donations can be made at Newtown Savings Bank on Main Street under the account Emergency Services Children’s Fund.