Giving Without Hesitation

To the Editor:

Last week while I was searching for businesses in town to take my fundraising project on as a means to raise money for the skate board park, I had no idea this particular day would turn out to be a memorable one in many ways.

I was talking to Mike Testa, owner of Church Hill Wines & Liquors, about my concern of the lack of things to do for teens in Newtown when Pastor Jim Solomon from New Hope Community Church came strolling in to say Hi to Mike. Jim joined the conversation and quickly understood the gist of it.

“Teens need a place to hang out in a low key supervised place in their leisure time,” I said, and the skate board park is just the beginning. Jim expressed his interest in helping our teens have more choices in things to do and invited me to speak to his congregation on Sunday (this was Wednesday), about the skate park and my feelings about why and how we all should focus on our teens needs. I told him I would.

I felt lucky he gave me this opportunity and to have met him. I thanked Mike and I told him his business was the first to hand out paper skateboard cutouts for people to purchase in any amount, autograph and Mike would display them on the wall. Mike chuckled about being the first!

I enjoyed being a part of the New Hope fellowship. I felt honored I was invited to share my thoughts and concerns for teens. I was grateful to Jim for allowing me to talk about this issue which for me is a very important cause close to my heart. While I spoke Jim stood right beside me. That told me so much about him. I didn’t stand alone. When I was finished Jim voiced his interest in helping Newtown teens as well. He told us he’d been praying that week about how to help Donate To Skate. He was holding an envelope. He said, “This week this came in the mail unexpectedly!” It was a check for $1,000 he could have used for anything he chose. He chose to give it to our teens! For the skateboard park!

I want to express my appreciation to Pastor Jim Solomon for giving Donate To Skate such a generous donation, as well as his lovely wife Anne, their two children, and the New Hope Congregation. Pastor Jim is awesome! His gentle, warm, and kind spirit comes from strength. What struck me most was that he didn’t hesitate. He realized another’s need and did something about it. He took action. The money isn’t the best part of the gift he gave. It’s knowing someone else cares and will support the teen cause. Pastor Jim didn’t hesitate for one second!

Sincerely,

Lori Capozziello

Donate to Skate

8 Washington Avenue, Sandy Hook                November 12, 2007