Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Community chips in to help with Back to School


Shelton businesses collect supplies for needy kids
 
Pictured from left: Frank Yaworowski, President, Shelton Community Lions Club; Jennifer Sneider, Owner, J Cuts; Jennifer DeLeon, Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley and Scharletta Samuel, TEAM, Inc. of Derby. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - When it comes to children in need, the Valley never lets them down!

For the sixth year in a row, the Annual Book Bag & School Supply drive has been a great success. More than 110 book bags and an abundance of back to school supplies were collected.

This drive, originally started by the owners of Luther's Garage, which is now closed, continues on an annual basis through J Cuts, 505 Howe Ave.

Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts, was the main collection location for supplies such as book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper and folders.
"The outpouring kindness of the community always warms my heart," Sneider said. “So many people stop by to drop off donations. Many of my customers do not hesitate to hand me five or 10 dollars so I can pick up what we are falling short on.  It is amazing how it all balances out for children in need!”

Minuteman Press at 427B Howe Ave. was a collection location again this year.

For the second year in a row, Dave Haddad of the Shelton Lions Club, led his organization on a weekly collection during the summer concerts on the Huntington Green. As a result, they were able to contribute greatly to the drive.

This year, as the collection came closer to an end, coordinators realized there might be a shortage of book bags.  At the last minute, Peter Cantone, CEO of Spray Foam Nation, headquartered in West Haven, came through by donating 50 book bags.

“Although we are a national company, we believe it is important to give on a local basis, especially when it concerns children in great need,” Cantone said. “I don’t think we can ever do enough to help take care of the world’s children.”

Spray Foam Nation shared a portion of the donations with the West Haven Youth & Family Services program. Bob Morton, director of this program, stopped by last week to pick up book bags and school supplies. 
"The majority of our families are single parents, with low to moderate income,” Morton said. “They have one or more children who have a clinical diagnosis (autism, ADHD, OCD, etc.)  Any financial assistance that these families receive is extremely helpful. To be able to get school supplies might mean the difference between putting food on the table, paying a bill or putting gas in the car to get their children to doctor or therapy appointments.”

Headquartered in West Haven, Spray Foam Nation was founded to provide spray foam contractors with premium products and services. The company is dedicated to providing solutions which help create the most energy efficient structures.  In addition to an online store at www.SprayFoamNation.net, Spray Foam Nation has a full service training facility to certify and support spray foam contractors. The company's mission is to provide a one-stop-shop for all spray foam products, services, support, training, and repair needs.

Additional children receiving donations this year are served by TEAM, Inc. of Derby and the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.  

J Cuts will be the main collection location beginning Jan. 1 for the seventh annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive.  Although this community drive officially kicks off on Jan.1, donations will be accepted at any time. Donations must be new, stuffed monkeys.

This drive benefits the same groups of children in need as the Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive. The more stuffed monkeys collected, the more the donations will be spread to additional agencies for children.
Any group, business or organization is welcome to join in the Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive. Call Jennifer Sneider, 203-924-4107 for details.

The above information was taken from a press release.

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