CWU World Community Day Set For Nov. 3

By Darlene Jackson

Newtown residents Barbara Borrello and her daughter, Nicole, participated last June in the California AIDS Ride7 (CAR7) from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Mrs Borrello will share her experiences and commitment to the project when she speaks at the Church Women United Community Day 2000 Celebration Friday, November 3, at the Cyrenius Booth Library.

“Standing Up With Those In Need” is the theme of the program being celebrated worldwide on that day. The Newtown program begins at 1:30 pm with a tea followed by the worship service and presentation by Mrs Borrello, who served on the crew for CAR7, while her daughter rode the 575 miles. Nicole’s father, Dr Nicholas Borrello, is a dentist in Bethel.

Nicole, a ‘93 graduate of Newtown High School, biked with her California roommate Erica Potter, an ‘84 Newtown graduate. Erica’s parents, Erwin and Linda Potter, also served in the crew. Each biker was required to secure $2,500 in pledges. There were 2,500 bikers, some of whom were HIV positive and many others who were riding in memory of friends who had died of AIDS. They raised $11.7 million.

Tee shirts were supplied by the Tanqueray Company and many local businesses and suppliers gave riders discounts on bikes and other equipment needed for the event. Barbara Borrello and the Potters  were among the 500-600 crew members who included medical personnel, bike mechanics, food specialists, people to break down the tents each night and clean restrooms and showers that arrived at each  stop on trucks.

Mrs Borrello was on the Sweep Crew that checked the bikers along the road and was responsible for being sure all the bikers safely arrived at each overnight stop. Their days began at 4 or 4:30 am and they were on the road by 6 or 7 – rain or shine or as soon as the roads were checked for any problems. Breakfast was provided at the overnight camp and pit stops along the way, manned by volunteers, provided water, energy snacks, fruit, etc, and lunch. Each day they traveled 80 to 100 miles with two or three stops.

Each night they had entertainment after everyone was checked in by 7 pm for dinner and overnight. Bedtime was 9:30 pm. The early reveille was required because each person was responsible for getting gear packed and into the trucks. Each was limited to 70 lbs, including a sleeping bag, pillow, clothing, and any other necessities.

Those riding with HIV had special flags on their bikes, so that if injuries occurred, certain precautions could be taken in their care. Others wore placards or pictures of their deceased friends who had succumbed to the disease. Crew members were required to have first aid and CPR training. The AIDS rides occur throughout the United States, but California was the first to sponsor such an event. This year was the seventh year and the dates were June 3 to 10.

The Potters and the Borrellos are members of the St Ann Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Danbury. Nicole works in the business office and contract division of ABC in Los Angeles and Erica does distribution and marketing for Trimark Pictures in Los Angeles.

The day is sponsored by the Danbury, Bethel, and Newtown units of the Church Women United and represents a worldwide movement to recognize, celebrate, and encourage the rights and contributions of women.

Shirley Roman of Christ the King Lutheran Church is chairperson of the celebration. Participants will be Dot Treadwell and Elizabeth Scott of the Danbury unit and Charlotte Thomas and Althea Benedict of Bethel, Doris Schoonmaker of St John’s Episcopal Church in Newtown; Linda Taylor, Betty Williams, Peg Forbell, Jeane Roberts and the Rev Janice Touloukian of Newtown Congregational Church; Pat Stroud of St Rose; and Sue Klein of the United Methodist Church in Newtown. Jeanette Mayer of Brookfield and the Danbury unit is supplying name tags and registrations materials.

In October the CWU sponsored a Bible Study, led by Ms Taylor, that used Scriptures that will be highlighted in the worship service – Matthew 25: 34-40 and Acts 9: 36-43. Each points to the need for compassion and non-judgmental action in the face of need.

CWU invites the public to attend the World Community Day 2000 Celebration. There is no charge, but it is helpful to know how many to expect. Reservations can be made by contacting the key women from each church – Barbara Gates (426-3446) at United Methodist, Mrs Roman (426-0638) at Christ the King Lutheran, Barbara Gorham (426-0638) at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, Mrs Schoonmaker (270-0311) at St John’s Episcopal, Mrs Benedict (748-2910) at St Thomas Episcopal in Bethel, Jean Conover (426-6146) at St Rose, Betty Williams (270-9931) at Newtown Congregational Church.