Giving Thanks

To the Editor:

It is with a heart brimming full of gratitude that I say thank you to all of Newtown and those folks from outside our town lines that are also very much part of our Newtown family. As I look back at our last two storms, I am so thankful for all the help and caring concern that poured out from everywhere. I can thank those who are readily identifiable and gave much of their blood, sweat, and tears; some carrying heavy loads, others offering gentle hands, some providing housing and food, still others providing capable and caring skill and words — but there are still so many people who I can’t readily identify.

The folks who looked out for each other, helped each other in large and small ways (and still are), are all part of the response team. I met a lot of new people during and after these storms, and worked with many that I have already known. They changed my life.

I want to thank the people “whose job it is” to do this work. You are exceptional. I flinched once when I heard/read someone’s words about how it was people doing their jobs. Yep, we did our jobs. But please let me say to town employees, school employees, quasi agency employees, elected officials — all the folks whose job it is to answer the call and “do your job” — you did an exceptional job; thank you.

And to all the folks that live and work and play in Newtown, you too, did an exceptional job. A town of this size, made up of pretty much every shape, size, color and creed —– it is the townspeople who make the difference. I don’t know all of you, and I don’t know all that you did, but I do know that it was a lot and it is most appreciated. Thank you. You all made the difference.

We have extraordinary people here. They are our residents, our friends and families, our volunteers, our businesses, our faith community, our health care and community providers, our government, our school system. They care, they help, they give.

Special thanks to American Red Cross, all of our volunteer fire companies, our EMS responders, Masonicare, Maplewoods, Newtown Youth Academy, Blue Colony, school staff who supported the shelter and showering efforts, Tom Strang, Betsy K, and Lori Kehoe. I know there are many more, too many to list (approximately 27,000 actually).

(Note: as with all exercises and real events, inefficiencies and gaps are identified and many lessons are learned. Our planning efforts and response plans will be reviewed, updated and modified accordingly.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Donna Culbert

3 Primrose Street, Newtown                                 November 22, 2011