Valley Goes Pink to host Exciting Week of Events

DERBY - The 9th Annual Valley Goes Pink invites the community to another exciting week of events filled with concerts, chili and carats.

 

The Valley Goes Pink will host a Rock the Valley Pink concert on Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. at Porky’s Café, 50 Center St., Shelton, featuring Social Convention. A $20 donation includes admission and a free drink!

 

Bad Sons Beer Company, 251 Roosevelt Dr., Derby, will host a chili contest between first responders from the Valley on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. A $25 donation includes tasting and a vote. Cash bar for craft beer.

 

On Thurs., Oct. 25 from 3-7 p.m., Marks of Design, 389 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton, will host its 2^nd Annual Diamond Dig. Take your chances at winning precious gemstones, including a 1-carat diamond. The cost is a $40 donation for each bucket.

 

The Valley Goes Pink is a grassroots, community-wide effort throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley to create awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, and showcase partnering organizations.

 

For more information on how you can go Pink, including a calendar of events, visit griffinhealth.org/pink, like us on Facebook or contact the Griffin Hospital Development Fund at development@griffinhealth.org or 203-732-7504.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

 

More than $17,000 Raised for Families of Ansonia Girls Killed in Car Accidents

ANSONIA – More than $17,000 was raised in two fundraisers to support the families of two six year old children, who lost their lives in car accidents in August. Nyah Marcano, a Prendergast student, and Leah Rondon, a Mead student, were about to enter first grade this year. In addition to the two fundraisers, the City of Ansonia donated $6,780 from the proceeds of the “Rock the Valley” event on Aug. 22.


Nyah Marcano-photo from GoFundMe page

The two fundraisers were held last week: A ziti dinner on Aug. 27, and an “Ansonia Goes Blue for Nyah and Leah” balloon fundraiser on Aug. 28 and 29. Hundreds of volunteers, including parents, staff from Ansonia Public Schools, the Ansonia Fire Department, the Ansonia Police Department, Ansonia Rescue Medical Services, the Boys & Girls Club and other agencies donated their time for one or both events. More than 400 people attended the ziti fundraiser, while more than 2,200 balloons were sold and delivered to Ansonia homes and businesses. An additional 700 balloons were tied to the fronts of every school and public building in town as well.



Leah Rondon-photo from GoFundMe page

“On behalf of Ansonia Public Schools, we are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support during this time of sadness for the Marcano and Rondon families,” said Dr. Carol Merlone, Superintendent of Schools. She gave special thanks to the City of Ansonia, the many companies that donated to the fundraisers, the staff of Ansonia Public Schools, and every volunteer. “Ansonia is a caring community that showed its unity and its strength.” 



The Valley United Way is serving as fiduciary for all funds that were raised. A committee has been formed to distribute the funds that were raised.

 

(Information is from a press release from Ansonia Board of Education)

Crisco: New law allows firefighters' fundraisers on state roads

Creates special event permits 

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge,  joined Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in his Capitol office last Friday for the ceremonial signing of Public Act 13-93, “An Act Authorizing Firefighters to Conduct Charitable Fundraising Boot Drives on State Highways.” 

The law will allow special event permits for “boot drives” held by firefighters statewide.

Charitable “fill-the-boot” events have been held regularly for years by fire departments to raise much-needed, supplemental funds. Recently, local law enforcement agencies and the state Department of Transportation raised safety concerns about the events. 

In Derby, firefighters were ordered to end a fundraiser because it took place on a state road.

“When requested, these permits will allow firefighters to lawfully hold their fundraisers in locations where traffic controls are already in place and the speed limit is reasonably low,”  Crisco said. “This law is a commonsense solution that allows our firefighters to continue to raise essential funds to purchase equipment or provide monetary assistance to fire victims, while adhering to safety protocol so as to ensure that no firefighter or passerby is put in harm’s way.”

The new law limits the allowable locations for these boot drives to intersections where there is a stop sign or traffic light, and where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less.

Firefighters from Derby joined Crisco at the bill signing, and were thrilled that these special event permits will allow them to continue their fundraising efforts.

The Derby Fire Department had conducted Boot Drives for nearly three decades along Route 34 without incident. 

It was only in 2010 that they were notified by the state Department of Transportation of a prohibition on boot drives along state highways.

The special event permits created under this new law will remedy this problem by exempting certain fundraisers such as these from the prohibition.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.