Many Helped Light The Night

To the Editor:

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported the first Light the Night Mini-Walk to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) on October 24. The walk was a great success with 300 walkers raising over $28,000 in the fight against cancer. The walk couldn’t have happened without the many wonderful volunteers, fundraisers, company sponsors, and walkers.

We thank our wonderful volunteers who gave so freely of their time and talent to make the night special:

To Gregg Simon, NHS athletic director, who was instrumental in having the walk take place at the high school along with all the needed logistics and coordination to have an event like this run so smoothly. Along with Gregg, there were many other NHS/Newtown volunteers who donated their time throughout the night: NHS teachers: Jay Edwards (DJ/announcer); Carl Strait; custodians: Max Rodriguez and Eric Ventura; Newtown Park & Rec: John Moore and Archie Poloain; high school volunteers: Annie and Tom Donnelly and Steven Sopeanza (recent graduate).

To Marleen Cafarelli from Photo Art Works for donating her talent and time to take pictures of the teams throughout the night.

To New England Bounce About, Brookfield for donating an inflatable bounce house (which we were unable to use due to the walk being moved indoors)

To Monsignor Bob from St Rose of Lima Church, for the prayer and blessings.

Helping us set up and break down — the Knights of Columbus volunteers Tom McNeil, Steve Giles, Ron Kopcik, Mike Salvatore, Charlie Hettenbach, Larry Rice, Jim Tevnan, and Tim Reilly.

Helping man all the tables (registration, T-shirt, jewelry and bake sale, etc) — the Bunco Babes & Beaus and WIN (Women Involved in Newtown) volunteers: Cindy Datin, Nancy Metzger, Linda Biscoe, Bev and John Maley, Joan Salbu, Audrey Locorotondo, Alison Gilbert, Sue Rubino, Alice Baye, Teri Doern, Dot Dwyer, Denise Tramposch, Rene Olson, Jen Scarangella, Wendy Delehanty, and Kim Klein, along with all the children volunteers. A special thank you to Audrey for initiating and organizing the Bake Sale and Denise for making and organizing the Jewelry Sale.

The company/corporate sponsors for their very generous donations: DSA Encore for sponsoring the balloon corner; Dr Baum for sponsoring a toothbrush corner and Karen Murphy who distributed them; Quota International of Candlewood Valley; Newtown Savings Bank; Union Savings Bank; People’s United Bank; Compass Capital Management of Southbury; Greg’s Driveway; Dudley, Condon & Golisano DDS; Caraluzzi’s Market; Carminuccio’s Pizza; Avance Esthetiques; Quality Gem; St Rose of Lima Church; the faculty and staff of Middle Gate School and Newtown High School’s Jeans for Charity.

The following businesses who sold paper balloons to raise additional funds: Feeling Fit, Brookfield; Carminuccio’s Pizza; and Bagel Delight.

To our speakers — leukemia survivors Christina Ercole and Michaela Richmond.

And last but not least, to Shannon Hicks of The Newtown Bee for all the great coverage. We could not have accomplished this without The Bee’s coverage. You see, it is Nicer in Newtown.

We are already planning the second Mini-Walk Celebration!

Sincerely,

Ginny Chion and Colette Ercole

Co-Chairs - Newtown Light the Night Mini-Walk

10 Cobblers Mill Road, Sandy Hook                   November 10, 2009