Bee Honored By

American Red Cross

SOUTHINGTON — The American Red Cross, Connecticut Blood Services Region honored The Newtown Bee for its service to the community. The newspaper was the sole recipient of a media award in the nondaily publication category at the organization’s Recognition Dinner on May 24 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

According to the award, The Newtown Bee serves the town of Newtown, with a strong emphasis on the goings on within the borders of the town, including 21 mentions of the need for blood during the calendar year 2003. These mentions ran the gamut from blood drive listings to full articles featuring milestone donors or blood shortages.

“That is a tremendous amount of space to be afforded over a year,” commented Lynn Townshend, communications manager for the American Red Cross, Connecticut Blood Services Region.  “Whether it is an emergency appeal, a dedicated blood drive, a memorial blood drive or a controversial topic having to do with donated blood or blood transfusions, [Bee reporter] Kaaren Valenta in particular does her homework, asks the pertinent questions, finds an opposing view (if necessary) and gets the story right the first time. It’s that kind of great journalism that earned them this award.”

Charter Communication’s Channel 21, based in Newtown, was honored for its series of programs about the Red Cross.

The Annual Statewide Recognition Dinner honors outstanding community and business blood drive sponsors, as well as sponsors of bone marrow drives. Ten-gallon, 15-gallon and 20 or more gallon volunteer blood donors were invited to attend.  Donors with 100, 150, 200, 250, or 300-plus donations, and blood drive volunteers were honored.

The Annual Governor’s Award was presented to radio personality Brad Davis. The Governor’s Award recognizes extraordinary commitment to the American Red Cross, Connecticut Blood Services Region and to the patients it serves.