Online Town Hall Meeting for Older Adults Living Through the Pandemic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:     Lorrie Hoak

                    Director of Support Services

                    (203) 736-5420 ext.1246

                    lhoak@teaminc.org  

“Living Through the Pandemic” for CT’s Older Adults, Friday July 17

Who?          Connecticut Coalition on Aging

Older adults residing in CT, age 60 and above, are invited to join the CCOA Board for a virtual conversation about the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on older adult life.

What?         Town Hall Meeting for CT’s Older Adults:

                    Conversation will be limited to attendee responses to the following:

                    1. During the pandemic, what were the greatest challenges you faced?

2. What helped you get through isolation and how did you get your needs met?

3. Do you think your life has now changed permanently? In what ways?

                   

When?        Friday, July 17, 2020 from 10:00AM – 11:30AM

Where?       You must register to attend on-line meeting using “Zoom” (free, web base meeting software for a computer, tablet or smartphone). To register click on this link: Register for 7/17 Town Hall Meeting  For more information email: Kliberman@cox.net

Closed Caption will be available

Help Feed Those in Need During Health Crisis

Grab & Go Lunches for Valley Kids

Seymour Police Toy Drive Benefits TEAM, Inc.

Sharing from Seymour Police Department:

Thank you to everyone who donated at our annual Team Inc. Toys 4 Kids Toy Drive this past Saturday! Today, Chief Satkowski presented Team Inc. with a $500.00 check on behalf of the Seymour Police Department!

The final count from Saturday’s toy drive is as follows:
280 Toys
4 Bicycles
Approximately $600 in monetary donations along with 9 gift cards.

Thank you to our partners Stop & Shop and D’Addario Buick-GMC.

A Holiday Spectacular

Festival of Trees Nov. 23 & 24

SHELTON-  TEAM, Inc. www.teaminc.org will present its 16^th Annual Festival of Trees to benefit TEAM Elderly Services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 at the Shelton Senior Center, 18 Wheeler St.

Festival of Trees is a magical weekend that includes more than 25 vendors, other activities for families and adults, and raffle tickets to lucky winners that includes more than 30 prizes: fully decorated Holiday Trees, Wreaths, Baskets, and a new TV. 

In addition, TEAM’s 16^th Annual Festival of Trees kicks off the magic of the holiday season including pictures with Santa as well as Minnie Mouse. 

Admission is free and the public is welcome. Attendees can purchase raffle tickets ($10/ book) and win your very own holiday tree, wreath, gift basket, and/or television. More than 25 vendors will be on hand to help with holiday shopping.

TEAM is committed to maximizing opportunities for the independence and wellbeing of our Valley seniors most in need – programs include Meals on Wheels & Elderly Nutrition, Medical Transportation, Volunteer Caregiving & Homemaking, and other basic needs supports and assistance for our region’s seniors. In addition to raising public awareness of TEAM’s services for seniors, this event raises funds in support of TEAM’s Elderly Services that made a meaningful impact for more than 700 seniors in the last year alone.

(This is a press release from TEAM)

Donate to Toys 4 Kids at Nov. 24 Kick-off

Like Us on Facebook  @DerbyHistorical Forward to a Friend The Derby Historical Society was founded on April 18, 1946, to serve the Naugatuck Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. Contact Us 37 Elm Street Ansonia, CT 06401 (203) 735-1908 info@derbyhistorical.org www.derbyhistorical.org  Regular Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 am - 1 pm *Research and Tours By appointment* Sunday, November 24th, 2019 at 9 am! 19 Chucta Rd, Seymour, CT (rain date, Sunday, December 1st) The Yankee Clipper Presents: the 15th Annual Christmas Breakfast for Valley TEAM Toys 4 Kids! The 6th Connecticut Regiment and the Derby Historical Society hope to see you at this amazing event. Did you know that our very own hero, David Humphreys served as a Captain for his own company of the 6th CR? Come and spend a morning with some hot cocoa, free breakfast, the troops, and the Derby Historical Society! Your hosts, Diane and Tom Baklik, have invited all to come and be a part of this memorable experience. The Yankee Clipper is a local Country Barbershop. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy, and be sure to bring your camera because Santa will be escorted down the road by the Seymour Police, the Blue Knights, the 6th CR, and the Mattatuck Fife and Drum Corps!

Get Help Paying for Heating Bills

Energy assistance is a program that helps people having difficulty paying the cost of heating their home. Through an intake and assessment process, Energy Assistance staff determine how TEAM and its services can best help lower energy costs. The goal of this program is to keep households warm and safe during the winter months.

Now is the time to think about applying to TEAM Inc. for assistance with winter heating costs. Families and individuals seeking financial help to offset their winter heating bills may apply beginning August 1, 2019.

Applicants are deemed eligible based on review of their total household gross income, such as job earnings, unemployment compensation, social security, pension etc.; household size; and liquid assets. If an applicant is approved for assistance, TEAM will make a direct payment to their home utility heating provider or will pay for one or more fuel deliveries, based on eligibility, starting in November.

Both homeowners and renters who are residents of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, and Woodbridge can apply for energy assistance from TEAM.

To schedule an appointment with TEAM Energy Assistance, please call 203-736-5420 and follow prompts for Energy Assistance, or email energy@teaminc.org.

TEAM Inc. is a private501(c) 3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to strengthen our community by educating, supporting and empowering individuals and families. TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Naugatuck, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour, Waterbury and Woodbridge.

For more information about the TEAM Inc., visit us at www.Teaminc.org.

(This is a press release from TEAM, Inc.)

Free Tax Help Available

Free Tax Prep Help Available

 

Free income tax preparation available to eligible Valley residents

 

Who?  TEAM’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program prepared more than 1,000 income tax returns last year.

 

TEAM is a private, non-profit human services agency serving Milford and the Greater Valley region whose mission is to strengthen our communities by educating, supporting, and empowering individuals and families.

What?  TEAM is pleased to announce it will offer free tax preparation and filing services to eligible Valley households needing to file their 2018 returns. 

 

VITA is a financial literacy initiative providing free tax preparation services for individual or family incomes less than $55,000/year. 

TEAM’s IRS-trained volunteers not only prepare/file basic tax returns - they also educate participants on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), child tax credits, and many other tax-related issues and opportunities.

When?  Available by appointment on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays beginning Jan. 27 and continuing through April 15, 2019. 

 

Scheduling: www.211ct.org/taxhelp or call TEAM 203-736-5420 ext.1206 for more assistance and information.

Where?  TEAM, 30 Elizabeth St., Derby (Monday - Wednesday - Saturday) Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., Derby (Sunday)

Milford Senior Center, 9 Jepson Drive, Milford (Sunday - Monday)

Why?  VITA plays a key role to help keep and put money in the pockets of hard-working people who really need it. In the last year alone, TEAM’s VITA program filed 1,130 returns in the Greater Valley region at no cost - results of these returns included $1.5 million in refunds, more than $480,000 in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), and more than $110,000 in Child Tax Credits and Education Tax Credits.

 

Seymour Police Collecting Toys

SEYMOUR - Town police officers will at Stop & Shop, 15 Franklin St., between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday for the Annual TEAM Toys 4 Kids Toy Drive. 

They will be collecting new, unwrapped toys and money donations to help make a happy holiday for children in need. If you are unable to make the event, the Police Department at 11 Franklin St. is a drop-off location for TEAM. 
 

Valley Holiday Spectacular

Derby Mayor to Deliver Meals to Seniors

                     

Who?          TEAM’s Meals one Wheels program delivered more than 40,000 meals to 260 elderly living in Derby and the surrounding Valley communities.

 

What?         Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan will be delivering meals door-to-door in Derby as part of TEAM’s Meals on Wheels program.

 

When?        On November 14 beginning at approximately 9:45am – then traveling door-to-door to the homes of Derby seniors for approximately an hour.

 

Where?       Mayor Dziekan will meet TEAM’s Meals on Wheels truck & staff at the Valley Diner on Route 34 and then be traveling door-to-door delivering meals to Derby seniors for approximately an hour. Serving in twelve communities, TEAM’s central offices are located at 30 Elizabeth Street in Derby, CT.

 

Why?          Mayor Dziekan is volunteering his time to demonstrate awareness and increase support for this essential TEAM Meals on Wheels program that helps so many of our Valley’s homebound and often isolated older residents. The majority of TEAM’s Meals on Wheels recipients live in isolation, one in two are low income, and almost one out of every three is aged 90 years or more. TEAM’s Meals on Wheels program delivers daily nutritious meals, friendly social visits, and safety checks to enrolled seniors all year long.

 (this is a press release from Team)

 

Valley Toy Drive Kicks Off Nov. 10

TEAM to Kick Off Annual Toy Drive

Win Jets-Patriots Tickets at Adam's House Fundraiser

SHELTON - Adam's House invites the public to the 3rd Annual Ladies Healing Hearts Paddle Tournament starting at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 28 at area clubs. Proceeds from the event benefit Adam’s House, a nonprofit center in Shelton that provides free educational and support programs to Connecticut children and families struggling to cope with grief.

 

Thirty-two teams will compete in the women’s-only paddle tournament held at multiple locations from 8:30 a.m. until about 2 p.m. Aspetuck Valley Country Club at 67 Old Redding Road in Weston will host the event’s luncheon, semi-finals and championship game, but players also will paddle for a cause at Patterson Country Club in Fairfield, CT; Weston Field Club and Wilton YMCA.

 

“The Healing Hearts Paddle Tournament has been enormously popular, drawing competitive players and supporters, who enjoy a great day of play, plus lunch and a chance to win prizes, including tickets for the upcoming Jets-Patriots game,” said Adam’s House Founder and Executive Director Allison Wysota.

 

The winner will go home with three tickets to the Nov. 25^th  Jets-Patriots game, plus parking.

JoyRide® Cycling & Fitness classes and spa massage treatments also will be raffled off at the event’s luncheon.    

 

The cost is $200 per team and tournament players are guaranteed three matches (weather permitting.) The Adam’s House 3^rd Annual Ladies Healing Hearts Paddle Tournament includes the luncheon, drinks and a favor. To register online: http://bit.ly/adamshousect_2018paddle  

 

For additional details, contact: Anne Santa-Maria at annesantamaria@optonline.net  or Susie Minkowitz at ssmlmink@aol.com 

 

(This is a press release from Adam's House)

Fashion Show to Benefit Families in Need

Get Help with Winter Heating Bills

DERBY- Now is the time to think about applying to TEAM Inc. for assistance with winter heating costs. Families and individuals seeking financial help to offset their winter heating bills may now apply.

Families and individuals may qualify for help if they fall below these income limits: $24,280 for a household of one, $32,920 for a two-person household, $41,560 for a three-person household, $50,200 for a four-person household.

Applicants are deemed eligible based on review of their total household gross income, such as job earnings, unemployment compensation, social security, pension etc.; household size; and liquid assets. If an applicant is approved for assistance, TEAM will make direct payments to their home heating provider.

Both homeowners and renters who are residents of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, and Woodbridge can apply for energy assistance.

To schedule an appointment, call 203-736-5420 and follow prompts for Energy Assistance, or in Milford, 203-783-3253; Woodbridge, 203-389-3429; Orange, 203-891-4787, and Bethany, 203-393-2100, ext.124.

(This is a press release from TEAM)

Derby Mayor to Serve as Guest Bartender for Charity

Valley Chamber Honors Community Leaders

Pictured left to right: George Mitchell, GVCC Chairman of the Board; Ethan Fry & Eugene Driscoll, Valley Indy; Diane Stroman, Joe Welsh, Ray Oppel, Tom Haynes, Ramon Peralta, Emcee/Peralta Design/2016 Gold Seal Recipient)
 

 

SHELTON- The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce recently recognized four individuals and one organization for their outstanding achievements in the community at its 46^th Annual Gold Seal Awards Banquet.

 

The Chamber presented five awards consisting of three Gold Seal Awards, one Platinum Award and one Silver Medal Award to the region’s business and community leaders who exemplify the spirit of selflessness and volunteerism. These awards are among the most prestigious and time-honored community service awards in the Valley.  

 

Ramon E. Peralta, Jr.  (Peralta Design, Shelton), 2016 Gold Seal recipient, served as Master of Ceremonies.

 

The Gold Seal Award is given annually by the Chamber to a recipient who demonstrates outstanding community service through dedicated and effective leadership.  The Gold Seal Award this year went to Tom Haynes (Haynes Group, Southbury), Raymond A. Oppel (CPA, Shelton) and Joseph Welsh (Aquarion Water, Shelton). 

 

Haynes has been an active participant and committee member for the Parent Child Resource Center charity ride in addition to donating his expertise and resources to Make A Wish and other area projects. Oppel, a Life Scout, is still active as a Boy Scout leader and serves on the board of the Valley Community Foundation. Welsh is best known for his conservation efforts throughout the region and also volunteers many hours with the Shelton schools.

 

In 2001, in honor of the 30^th Anniversary of the Gold Seal Awards, the Chamber introduced the Platinum Award.  It is presented to a past Gold Seal recipient of at least 10 years who is still dedicated to volunteering their time and resources on behalf of the Valley Community. This year’s Platinum Award honoree is Ansonia resident and Executive Vice President at TEAM, Inc. , Diane Stroman and a 1999 Gold Seal Award recipient.

 

Stroman serves on several community boards including the Valley Community Foundation, the Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys & Girls Club, and the Valley Juvenile Review Board. Stroman is the Chairperson of the Ansonia’s Elderly Services Commission, Co-chair of the Julian A. Taylor Scholarship Committee and former Chair of the Valley Council of Health and Human Services, Valley Council of Senior Services and Valley Council of Youth Services. She is a recipient of the Valley United Way Flynn Humanitarian Award, Valley Women Makes a Difference Award, James E. Wilkins Masonic Community Award, the NAACP Regional Youth Advisor Award and Rotary International Paul Harris Recognition.

 

The Chamber has presented the Silver Medal Award to recognize groups or partnerships that have made extraordinary contributions to the community or to recognize an individual’s dedicated service and assistance to the community.  This year’s Silver Medal Award recipient is the Valley Independent Sentinel.  Launched in the spring of 2009, The Valley Indy is a non-profit online newspaper covering the communities of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton.

 

The combined efforts of all the recipients, both past and present, have resulted in lasting contributions in the Greater Valley communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.

 

(This is a press release from Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce)