To the Editor:

I just won Lotto - not MegaMillions - I was selected by an organization called HomeFront, and in some ways it was better than cash.

Since 2009, I have been "underemployed," barely able to pay basic bills. I was able to keep my house, but have not been able afford home repairs. By this spring, I had no heat or hot water and my sinks were not working. I needed so many repairs I got completely overwhelmed. Family and friends tried to help, but they were dealing with similar issues.

I ran out of options and was desperate. I didn't want to leave my home, but didn't see how I could stay. In December, I applied for HomeFront assistance. In April, just as things were at their worst, I received notice that HomeFront was coming to the rescue. The Newtown team usually chooses one day in May to do a repair "blitz"; but my house needed so much work that they made an exception and did heavy repairs in June, and then scheduled a day in July to come as a group. Members of the Newtown Lions Club and the Newtown Congregational Church made lists of supplies, and then came on July 15 to work. Before I could catch my breath, they were everywhere! They completed several years of repairs in a few hours.

Thank you, to all, including organizers: Gordon Williams, Gary Peters, and Gary Fillian; and Lou Valenti of HomeFront. They made it possible for me to stay in my home.

I'm one of the luckiest people. I have just met some of the most generous and hardworking people around. Whether I ever win Lotto or not, I hope to somehow pay forward the incredible sense of hope and optimism that HomeFront gave me.

Cindy Joyce

106 Lakeview Terrace. Sandy Hook          July 25, 2017