Lions Club Donations Help

Myriad Groups

The Newtown Lions Club, using money raised through fundraisers sponsored by the club during the year, continues to live up to its motto “We Serve” with donations to local organizations.

Club member Skip Sims recently presented a check to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut. The organization grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength, and joy.

Make-A-Wish also provides children with hope for better times, strength for the tough times, and joy to experience the present. Since its founding in 1986 the organization has granted more than 1,700 wishes.

Mr Sims presenting the donation to Mike Burke, chief executive officer of the Connecticut chapter of Make-A-Wish.

Lion Ray Keegan recently presented a check in the amount of $1,000 on behalf of Newtown Lions Club to the Newtown Fire Commissioners.

Receiving the check on behalf of the fire commissioners was is Kevin Cragin, chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners, and Bill Halstead, current chairman of the Combined Newtown Fire Chiefs. The money has been earmarked for training purposes.

Also, Lion Frank Gardner recently presented a donation from the club to Pamela Samaha, the executive director of The Child & Family Institute of Fairfield County. The institute provides comprehensive mental health services to children and their families that support lifestyle and behavior changes intended to help them reach their full potential as contributing members of society.

Newtown Lions Club member Frank Gardner recently presented a donation from the club to Pamela Samaha, the executive director of The Child & Family Institute of Fairfield County. The institute provides comprehensive mental health services to children and their families that support lifestyle and behavior changes intended to help them reach their full potential as contributing members of society. 

And most recently, Newtown Lions Club presented a check to help support Meals on Wheels of Newtown. Bruce Landgrebe met with Marg Studley and Pat Barrett, co-presidents of Meals on Wheels, to present the women with the donation on behalf of the Lions.

The Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver nutritious meals to persons who are housebound, including elderly people who live alone, and younger people who are temporarily incapacitated. The meals are prepared at Ashlar of Newtown under the guidance of a dietitian.

Kevin Corey recently met with Beth Agen, the executive director of Newtown Youth & Family Services, and presented her a check for $2,000 on behalf of the Lions. The donation will continue to provide mental health and social service support groups for the children of Newtown.

Newtown Lions Club, which was chartered in 1949 and currently has more than 70 members on its roster, supports and participates in international and state programs and contributes to the local community.

Fundraising activities include the annual Classic Mustang Raffle, The Great Pootatuck Duck Race, and various community projects. All funds raised through these efforts go toward the club’s charitable efforts. The club and its members do not benefit from any funds generated from these efforts.

Big Fundraiser     Approaching

The 10th Annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race will be celebrated on Saturday, May 29 — the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

Twenty prizes will be awarded this year, and tickets are still just $5 each. This year’s top prize is $2,000 cash.

Club members have begun selling Duck Race tickets. They will be found most weekends between now and the day of the race at 12 different locations around town, so it won’t be difficult to find someone who will sell you a ticket. In addition to that, tickets are also available at 17 locations in town and from any Lions Club members you may know.

Bob Schmidt is this year’s Duck Race chairman, and he can be reached for additional information at 203-426-1222.