Just in time for the start of the holiday season, many Newtown families were able to participate in a special preview of the Disney-Pixar movie The Good Dinosaur at Edmond Town Hall on November 24.

More than 1,300 people attended the free event, which was arranged by Andy Clure of Sandy Hook Arcade Center with the generosity of Disney Studios. Newtown audiences at three screenings were able to enjoy the movie two days before it opened nationally.

 “I knew the movie would be very popular,” Mr Clure said. “We wanted to give back to the community so we asked people to bring a food item for the Newtown food pantry.

“I was impressed by everyone’s generosity, we filled 17 recycle bins, which we delivered the next day, along with monetary donations that came in,” he added. The donations were delivered to Newtown Social Services, which hosts one of the town’s two food pantries.

Tickets for the movie were made available free of charge on Monday, November 23, and were all claimed within 90 minutes. Families attending the movie created a cheerful “Thank you, Disney” video while in the theater and drew a large “Thank you, Disney” banner which will be mailed to Disney Studios.

Mr Clure, a former member of the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers who was recently elected to the Board of Education, also arranged two previous preview events, for the movies Frozen and Penguins of Madagascar.

Edmond Town Hall, completed in 1931 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was a gift from Newtown benefactor Mary Elizabeth Hawley. Located at 45 Main Street, it has served as the center of the community and the heart of Newtown since its inception by providing generations of residents and neighbors with governmental services space; affordable family entertainment through its theater; sports opportunities in its gymnasium; and, elegant space for gatherings, fundraisers, civic events or to celebrate life events.