Newtown Fund Begins

Annual Depot Day Drive

The Newtown Fund this week launched its annual Holiday Basket project.  Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up to adopt a family that will receive food baskets and gifts on Depot Day, December 18.

Donations also are welcome, as is help on Depot Day itself.

Newtown Fund board members Colleen Honan, Doreen Kostecki, and Judy Rosentel are coordinating this year’s project. 

The town’s social services department provides information about the needs of families and individuals, usually senior citizens that are to be the recipients of the holiday baskets.  The recipients’ names are confidential.

Thousands of individuals and families have been helped over the years since a group of local residents including the late Joseph P. Chase organized the first Christmas Basket project more than 40 years ago.

Anyone who is interested in helping should call the Newtown Fund at 426-6565, follow the voice-mail instructions, and leave a message. Messages will be answered within a week.

The Newtown Junior Woman’s Club will be holding its Tag-a-Gift drive in conjunction with the Holiday Basket project.

All donated food and other items are to be dropped off at St Rose School by 9 am on Depot Day.  Delivery will begin at noon.