Sharing Thanksgiving week fun in Ansonia

Volunteers at the Greater Valley Salvation Army in Ansonia take a break during Monday's  Thanksgiving food distribution with Lt. Anthony Rivera, third from left, and his wife, Lt. Stephanie Rivera.

Pictured from left are Jassin Santana, Rudy DelValle Jr., Tyrone Capeles, Anna Bachleda, and Donna Ingalls. To the right of Lt. Stephanie Rivera is Calvin Y. Scott.


I'm thankful I was there to cover the event. I met mother and daughter Palma and Michelle Bauer from Oxford who have fallen upon hard times. They have been living with no heat and little food in their home.

I described their plight in the story and the next thing I knew three anonymous angels had come forward to help them.

Salvation Army gives out school supplies at Fun Fest in Ansonia

Inflatable basketball hoops stand ready Sunday morning for the kids to arrive.

ANSONIA - As members of the Advisory Board for the Greater Valley Salvation Army, my husband Ralph and I attended Sunday afternoon's Back-to-School Fun Fest at the Salvation Army HQ. It was a wonderful event for some of the needy families in the Valley.
 

Salvation Army Major Theresa Burkholder, who has been working in Ansonia for five years, has been reassigned to Providence. Staff and volunteers will soon welcome Lieutenants Anthony and Stephanie Rivera and their son, Ethan.

 

The line started to grow as it got closer to 1 p.m. Two Griffin Hospital Valley Parish Nurses, Cary Carpino and Maggie Sessa, arrived with the hospital's mobile Resource Center to do their community outreach work.

Seventh grader Jontea Hargrove, 12, of Ansonia, is 'wearing' three backpacks she had picked up for herself and siblings. Her sister, Anjahane McFadden, 2, was along for the fun.

This little guy was learning how to bounce a basketball.

He didn't quite seem to get the hang of the hula hoop.

This girl braved the dunk tank. Here she is on her way into the water.

The line to take a turn was long but the kids didn't seem to mind the wait.

It's safe to say everyone who attended the fun fest had a good time. There was also a bounce house, which was a big draw for the little ones.

Hot dogs, chips, cupcakes, and lemonade were available for all, as were school supplies for those who had pre-registered. There were some extra ones given out to those parents who could produce proper identification.

Inside the sanctuary, backpacks filled with supplies and categorized for children going into K-Grade 5, middle school Grades 6-8 and high school.

And more!

Deflated hoops game symbolizes the party is over.

Plaudits go out to all those who organized the event to make back-to-school a positive experience for needy children.

And I wish Major Theresa all the best in her new position.

Fun Fest planned in Ansonia

ANSONIA - The Greater Valley Salvation Army will host a Super Fun Back-to-School Fun Fest from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 25 at its location, 26 Lester St.

The annual event will feature food, fun, a dunk tank, a bounce house, and more.
A grant from the Valley Community Foundation supports the fun fest.

For more information call the office, 203-736-0707.

This is taken from a press release.

Salvation Army needs Valley's help for holidays

New donation kettles created by a local resident. 

The Greater Valley Salvation Army, based in Ansonia, is gearing up for the holiday season.

When I visited Major Theresa Burkholder Monday she told me the organization will provide holiday meals and four boxes of food to at least 200 families in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.
Additional applications will be taken Dec. 4.

A pantry room at The Salvation Army headquarters in Ansonia.

Burkholder said although there is non-perishable food in stock now, the supply will soon be depleted after the organization's regularly scheduled distribution as well as the Dec. 20 Christmas distribution.

Burkholder said the staff concentrates on making sure clients' children up to age 12 get holiday gifts. She is asking for donations of new winter clothing.

The Salvation Army also needs people to volunteer at kettle stands that are located at nine stores throughout the Valley. 

For information on how to volunteer or donate call the office, 203-736-0707.  

Salvation Army to accept food-basket applications

ANSONIA - The Greater Valley Salvation Army will be accepting holiday applications for food basket distribution at 26 Lester St.

Scheduled times and dates are from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 30, 31, and Nov. 1.

Applicants must bring the following: 

 -     Identification for all household members (includes: Picture ID, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards)

-     Income verification (includes:  current pay stubs, Determination Letters, unemployment)

-     Expense verification (includes:  rent receipts/lease agreement, current utilities, etc.). 

 If all items are not available for review and verification, then applications will not be submitted for processing.  

Questions? Call 203-736-0707.

The above information was contributed by Major Theresa Burkholder, Greater Valley Salvation Army.