Published: Feb 12, 2025 7:00 am
The Newtown chapter of Hearts of Hope (HOH-Newtown) presented a Paint with A Purpose event at Newtown Community Center on January 29. The Newtown program was the second presented in conjunction with American Legion Post 202, who presented a similar event on January 22 in Bridgeport, which was hosted by Port 5-National Association of Naval Veterans.
The twin programs were designed to honor US Army Veterinarian Captain Leslie Brunker, the dogs and handlers of the 7th Special Forces Group at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, and the US Army Connecticut National Guard 928 Military Police Detachment dogs and their handlers based in Newtown.
John Schreiner and his Newfoundland therapy dog Bobby also represented Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs at both events.
HOH-Newtown Co-President Diana Sarna said both paint events were well attended, “producing over 100 hearts for military dogs and their handlers” at the two locations mentioned above.
Five-year-old Lily Gantert is all smiles, and a good amount of cookie crumbs, as she proudly displays the heart she painted during the Paint with A Purpose event on January 29, honoring US Army Veterinarian Captain Leslie Brunker, the dogs and handlers of the 7th Special Forces Group at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, and the US Army Connecticut National Guard 928 Military Police Detachment dogs and their handlers based in Newtown. The event was a collaboration between Hearts of Hope-Newtown and American Legion Post 202. —Bee Photo, Glass
Eileen Celli (left) and Alli Holden display the beautiful hand painted hearts they created during the Paint with A Purpose event honoring US Army Veterinarian Captain Leslie Brunker, the dogs and handlers of the 7th Special Forces Group at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, and the US Army Connecticut National Guard 928 Military Police Detachment dogs and their handlers based in Newtown. —Bee Photo, Glass
Newtown Selectman Michelle Embree Ku and State Representative Marty Foncello were also among the attendees of the January 29 Paint with A Purpose event. —Bee Photo, Glass
John Schreiner and his Newfoundland therapy dog Bobby, representing Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs, join members of the Hearts of Hope-Newtown team at Newtown Community Center January 29. From left are volunteers Janet Van Tassel and Janet Graves, Co-President Ivy Pearson, Schreiner and Bobby, Co-President Diane Sarna, Vice President Janet Knapp, and volunteer Joanne Shpunt. —Bee Photo, Glass
Shown are just some of the dozens of hearts hand painted during the January 29 Paint with A Purpose event. Guests at these events are invited to paint simple messages and/or images of hope on palm-sized ceramic hearts. —Bee Photo, Glass
