Valley Dentist Helps Brighten Holidays

SHELTON- Dr. Bruce Sofferman of Smile Dental Center, 1000 Bridgeport Ave., and his family held their 33rd frozen turkey and canned food drive Nov. 20 to benefit the Spooner House and its Valley Food Bank. The donations will be made into food baskets for more than 600 Valley families in need so they can enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving.

Stuff a Truck to Benefit Spooner House

SHELTON – The Rabine Family Dentistry will be holding a special Stuff a Truck filled with non-perishable items on Saturday, November 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 865 River Road in Shelton.  

This will be an important food drive since many state budgets have been cut, therefore more people than ever are in need of meal support in the lower Naugatuck Valley to obtain all the ingredients necessary for satisfying holiday meals.

The Rabine Family Dentistry Center will also be collecting frozen turkeys and non perishable food items. 

Visit www.actspooner.org for other donation locations and updates for the holiday season.  Also check for updates and pictures on the ACT Spooner House Facebook page. Spooner House is asking everyone to be as generous as possible and thanks you in advance for any help you are able to provide. 

Making Thanksgiving Brighter for Families in Need

SHELTON - Dr. Bruce Sofferman of Smile Dental Center, along with his family and a turkey mascot held their 32nd annual Thanksgiving food drive Wednesday, Nov. 14 to benefit the Spooner House and its Food Bank. Donations of frozen turkeys and non-perishable food items can be dropped off at Smile Dental Center, 1000 Bridgeport Ave., anytime through the holidays, for a chance to win several prizes.

Thanksgiving Food Drive in Seymour

Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti's Thanksgiving Message

ANSONIA - This Thanksgiving we should all dedicate time to being grateful for our numerous blessings. Our wonderful community here in Ansonia is certainly one blessing that must never be taken for granted.

 

We have many members of our community to be thankful for. The sacrifices made by our veterans – particularly those serving overseas right now – stand out foremost in my mind.

 

We should also remember the service of our police officers, firefighters, EMS, and their work to keep us safe and secure.

 

It’s important to recognize even the small contributions of our friends and

neighbors; the support and friendship we extend to each other on a daily basis. Let’s keep in mind that there no obstacle we cannot overcome when we are united

as one community.

 

I personally would like to thank Ansonia residents for all the support they have

shown me and my administration over the past three years. Managing a city is no

easy task, but your kind words, advice and guidance have made this job one of the

greatest experiences in my life.

 

May God bless each of you and our great city.

 

Mayor David S. Cassetti

 

(This is a message from Mayor David Cassetti)

Valley Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Set for Sunday, Nov. 22

ANSONIA - The Valley Interfaith Thanksgiving Service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday.

The worship service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 47 Franklin St.

The celebration will include familiar hymns, readings, and music from several faith traditions and a reading of the President's Thanksgiving Day proclamation.

Everyone is welcome. Donations of non-perishable food items to support area food banks
are requested. 

The sponsoring houses of worship are:
Al-Aziz Islamic Center, Bridgeport; Bahai' Group of Oxford; Christ Episcopal Church, Ansonia; Clinton AME Zion Church, Ansonia; First Congregational Church, Ansonia; First Congregational Church, Derby; First United Methodist Church, Ansonia, Phuoc Long Buddhist Temple, Ansonia.

Thanksgiving Food Drive Nov. 20

Ansonia Mayor Casetti's 2014 Thanksgiving message

I would like to wish all Ansonia residents a Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the day with your friends and family. Please take the time to think about the less fortunate members of our community and think of a way you can help a friend or neighbor out this Thanksgiving. Our community is built on respect and compassion for one another. It is important to acknowledge all the members of our community who may not be able to spend the day with their loved ones, especially those serving our country in the armed forces.
I would like to thank all who contributed the City Hall Food Drive. Your donations were well received at the Ansonia Food Bank.
Enjoy the day and be safe.

— Mayor David S. Cassetti  

Derby dentist and family now in 30th year of helping others enjoy Thanksgiving

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent
DERBY >> For three decades, a local dentist and his family have donned traditional Pilgrim costumes,  encouraging Valley residents to open their hearts and wallets to ensure families in need can enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving feast.

Read more here. 

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.

Enjoy the day

I'm thankful for all my readers.

Derby dentist, family continue journey of helping less fortunate

Need is greater than ever

DERBY - On Thursday I visited the Soffermans as they were doing what must be second nature to them now - flagging down drivers and asking for help to feed the Valley's needy. 

This is the 27th year they have collected food and money before Thanksgiving.

Dr. Bruce Sofferman, his wife, Deborah, and daughter Sophia peer into a vehicle seeking a donation to their annual Thanksgiving food drive.  

This was the first time they stationed themselves on heavily-traveled New Haven Avenue at the intersection of Chapel Street. Sofferman said it was a great location. 

 Ansonia resident Ray Tillotson helped the cause by being a turkey for a day.

Sofferman greets Mayor Tony Staffieri, who stopped by to donate a turkey. 

The foursome poses for a group shot. The photo shows just some of the items that were piled up on the grass.

All food and monetary donations are going to the Spooner House in Shelton. Local families will have a happier holiday because of this drive. 

The Soffermans deserve plaudits for their years of dedication.

Local dentist, family collecting food today in Derby

A holiday tradition

The Rev. Deborah Sofferman, left, and her daughter, Sophia, wave at passing cars alongside New Haven Avenue (Route 34) at the corner of Chapel Street in Derby this morning.
They will be collecting food and cash donations there all day for Spooner House in Shelton.
Local dentist Dr. Bruce Sofferman started the Thanksgiving food drive in the 1980s.

Stay tuned for a story and photos in tomorrow's New Haven Register and at www.nhregister.com.

Seymour church to host Thanksgiving service

SEYMOUR - The Seymour-Oxford Clergy Association will sponsor an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Service at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 at Great Hill United Methodist Church, 225 Great Hill Road.

Service will begin with a joyful setting of the altar as the gathering churches bring elements in prayerful preparation.

All are invited to join as we gather together with thankful hearts for an evening of praise and sharing of Holy Communion.


This is a press release from Great Hill United Methodist Church. 

Ansonia business holding holiday food drive

ANSONIA - Frank A. Hoinsky Real Estate, Inc. is holding its annual food drive for Spooner House in Shelton.

Hoinsky said in a release, "We have been receiving some donations, but we are in need of more for this Thanksgiving holiday.

"We are looking specifically for frozen turkeys and non-perishable food items. If you would like to make a money donation, you can make the check out to Spooner House.

"If you would like to donate you can do one of two things: first, you can always drop off the donation at the office at 685 Main St.

"Second, if you would like to make a donation and just can’t make it to our office,

please give us a call at our office and we would love to come to your home and pick it up from you.

The office number is 203-732-8080. You can talk with an agent when you call.
"Or, if after hours, leave a voice mail at extension 10 and Brenda, our assistant, will make sure one of the agents gets the message.

"Thanks to all of you and hoping you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday," Hoinsky said.

Ansonia church to host Thanksgiving service

Mmm...pie workshop at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center will hold a Back to Basics Apple Pie Workshop at 2 p.m. Nov. 23, just in time for Thanksgiving Day.

Join Alison Rubelmann and Dawn Sotir to make an apple pie from scratch.
Whether you are an experienced baker or a novice, you'll go home with a delicious apple pie to pop in the freezer or bake.

Tuition is $15 a pie. Register with payment no later than Nov. 19. Participants need to bring an apron, rolling pin, and paring knife.

The nature center will supply all the ingredients.

For information call 203-736-1053.

This is a press release from the nature center.

Ansonia Library to host Thanksgiving program

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Library Children’s Department will offer a Children’s Thanksgiving Celebration at 10 a.m. Nov. 23.

The program is for children ages five and up and registration is required.


For further information or to register, call 203-734-6728.


The library is at 53 S. Cliff St.


This is a press release from the library.

Drive in Seymour to support food bank

Help feed needy Valley families

Shelton agency launches Thanksgiving food drive

SHELTON - The Spooner House annual frozen turkey and fixings drive began over the weekend and will feature a variety of locations and methods for everyone to donate between now and late November.

Again this year, Smile Dental Center owner Dr. Bruce Sofferman, along with his wife Deborah Sofferman and their daughter, Sophia Sofferman, will don Pilgrim and Native American costumes as they attempt to flag down drivers to drop off turkeys and fixings. 

They will be out from 7-10 a.m. Nov. 20 at 318 Oxford Road,  Oxford, and from 7-10 a.m. Nov. 21 at a to be announced location in Shelton or /Derby.
They will once again be joined by a turkey mascot.

Sofferman’s Smile Dental Centers at 318 Oxford Road, Oxford and 61 Elizabeth St., Derby will also be collecting frozen turkeys and fixings during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 18-22.

Locations and Holiday Food Drive events this year include: the Huntington Hose Fire Company working with Girl Scout Troop 64146 in Shelton; the Frank Hoinsky Real Estate Operation Stuff a Bus Holiday Food Drive in Ansonia; Seybridge Pharmacy in Seymour; the Boy Scouts Scouting for Food program; the Shelton High School basketball clinic at Shelton Intermediate School, as well as continuing the tradition for the Seymour Middle School eighth grade Gold Team frozen turkey drive. 

More people than ever in the Valley need support to obtain all the ingredients necessary for satisfying holiday meals, so Spooner House is asking everyone to be as generous as possible.

“More than 6,000 individuals have been served by the Food Bank this past year, comprising over 153,000 meals, 92,000 more than just four years ago when 61,000 meals were served,” said Executive Director Susan Agamy. 
“Our supplies are always put under pressure during the holiday months as colder weather and varying temperatures impact our client base. This year we are continuing the expansion of our Operation Holiday Food Drives to encompass more organizations reaching out to assist us in meeting client needs.”

Only the locations below with an asterisk will be collecting frozen turkeys, the others are collecting non-perishable items for the holiday food baskets. 

Boy Scouts Scouting for Food

Nov. 2 - Empty bags delivered to homes

Nov. 9 - Fill your bag and leave at door for pick up

Huntington Hose Fire Co. & Girl Scout Troop 64146

Holiday Fixings and Baskets Food Drive

Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

44 Church St., Shelton

Seybridge Pharmacy

Monday – Sunday, Nov. 5 – 11

37 New Haven Road, Seymour

*Smile Dental Centers

Monday – Friday, Nov. 18 – 22 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
318 Oxford Road (Route 67), Oxford and 61 Elizabeth St., Derby

Featuring Pilgrim characters and a Turkey mascot:

*Smile Dental Center in Oxford

Wednesday, Nov. 18 - 22, 7 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Shelton High School Basketball Team Clinic

Nov 23, 2013

Special fundraiser at the Shelton Intermediate School, drop off a holiday donation of food or cash in the can to help Operation Holiday, and shoot some hoops for free as the basketball season gets into full swing. Shelton Intermediate School, Constitution Blvd. in Shelton

*Seymour Middle School and Chatfield-Lopresti School
will both accepting only frozen turkeys, no food
Nov. 23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The 8^th Grade Gold Team, 211 Mountain Road and 51 Skokorat Street in Seymour

If these dates and times are not convenient, you may also drop food items at the Spooner House, 30 Todd Road from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays from 1-5 p.m. 
Contact:  avellucci@actspooner.org or 203-225-0453.

Non-profit Area Congregations Together, Inc. was formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the Naugatuck Valley’s social service network. 
Today, Spooner House is operated by ACT and devoted to helping clients establish self-sufficiency in an atmosphere of respect and dignity. 
Spooner House provides food and/or shelter and support services to approximately 200 men, women and children each year. It  is recognized as one of the most comprehensive emergency shelter programs in Connecticut and provides a week’s supply of groceries each month to participating families throughout the lower Naugatuck Valley.

This is a press release from Area Congregations Together, Inc., a partner agency of the Valley United Way.