Looking Ahead To The Holidays

To the Editor:

Even though the leaves haven’t yet turned, it is the time The Newtown Fund begins the preparations for the Holiday Basket Program. The fund and many of the residents and businesses in Newtown made sure that last year over 80 families had a wonderful holiday even though contributions were down substantially.

We have been told by Ann Piccini at Social Services that many more people are applying for assistance this year than in recent years. We are expecting a much greater need because of this.

For those of you that are new to town, the Holiday Basket Program was created by the Newtown Fund to provide a dinner and presents for families who apply and are prequalified by Social Services. Their requirements on the applications are then given to us and the Junior Women’s Club so that we know what the families want. Trees are set up around town in local businesses for the Tag-A-Gift program by the Junior Women’s Club. Rick Mazzariello (270-9190) from the Newtown Fund coordinates “adopting” out the families to Newtown residents and nonprofit organizations and school groups.

On December 19 all of the gifts and food will be dropped of at the Sandy Hook School for distribution. At around 10:30 people just start showing up to deliver to the families. We always need more people to deliver. Although we prefer that gifts are prewrapped and labeled, we have a wrapping table for gifts that need to be wrapped. We always need people to help wrap at the wrapping table too!

In previous years Pitney Bowes supplied cartons so that we could keep the collections for each family contained in the hallways of the school. They are no longer able to help us. If anyone knows of a source of boxes please let us know. We need 150–200 good-sized cartons. Pitney Bowes delivered them to the school flat the night before and we would tape them.

We ask that you keep us in mind this Holiday season. Remember, whatever you give to the fund stays in Newtown to help Newtown residents. The only administration costs incurred by the fund are postage, printing, and paper. There are no paid members. We are also busy all year long as the last resort for emergency needs. Send tax-deductible donations to the Newtown Fund, Inc, PO Box 641, Newtown CT 06470.

If you are interested in joining this wonderful group and would like more information, please call me anytime.

Thank you all for your generous support.

Linda F. Bates

Vice President and Chairperson

55 Sugar Lane, Newtown                                       September 9, 2009