Volunteers Needed To Help Newtown Fund

Make Deliveries On December 16

The Newtown Fund, Inc has the answer to the questions: “How can I get into the holiday spirit?”

As it has for more than 40 years, The Newtown Fund, Inc is making sure that no Newtown family goes without a holiday celebration this year. Working closely with Ann Piccini and JoAnne Klopfenstein at Newtown Social Services, The Newtown Fund has identified close to 100 Newtown families that would otherwise go without a holiday celebration this year. The Newtown Fund is already beginning to match volunteers with the families in need, to provide them with a Holiday Basket of food and gifts for the holidays.

On Saturday, December 16, Sandy Hook Elementary School will be transformed by The Newtown Fund into a distribution center for the drop off and delivery of food and gifts for all of the adopted families.

A communitywide effort is necessary to adopt families and to get the baskets to the recipients.

“We have had a tremendous outpouring of support from the community,” says Newtown Fund President Doreen Kostecki. “Even the Park and Rec basketball league has agreed to reschedule their Saturday morning game on the 16th so that we can use Sandy Hook School for this project.”

There are many ways to get into the holiday spirit by participating in the Christmas Basket Program. The first is by adopting a needy family and making a commitment to provide nonperishable food items for a holiday meal for the family as well as gifts for each family member. The second is by making a financial contribution to The Newtown Fund.

The third is by making donations of food, new clothing, and new toys. Finally, members of the community can volunteer to deliver the Holiday Baskets to the adopted families on the morning of December 16.

Those who would like to help deliver holiday baskets are asked to be at Sandy Hook School on Saturday, December 16 at 11 am. Only adults may participate in the delivery of the baskets; do not bring children. To adopt a family, contact Rick Mazzariello at 270-9190.

Tax deductible contributions, payable to The Newtown Fund, Inc, may be sent to The Newtown Fund, Inc, PO Box 641, Newtown CT 06470-0641.

Any family that wishes to be adopted should contact Newtown Social Services at 270-4330.