"Seymour Strong" Banners Available

Sharing from Seymour's Facebook Page:

Are you looking for a way to show your support to our First Responders, Medical Personnel and all of the Essential Employees that are working hard for each and every one of us? Are you looking for a way to help the many charitable organizations in the Valley that need our support? If so, please consider purchasing a personalized banner to be hung from a telephone pole in town. Your donation of $132 includes the banner and a $25 donation to the Valley Community Foundation COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. If you are interested, you can call Joe at Grand Concepts at (203) 881-2332 to order yours today. Any questions, please let us know. #seymourstrong

New Haven Law Group Gives Valley Non Profit a Big Boost

New Haven’s Faxon Law Group continued its yearly Bucket List Challenge campaign by donating $10,000 to Project Purple, a CT-based pancreatic cancer research and patient financial aid charity, and to Hartford’s Camp Courant, the oldest and largest free summer camp in the United States.

 

The trial law firm raised close to $60,000 in total for the two charities by collecting donations online and entering donors who contributed $100 or more into a raffle to win a bucket list trip to Kona, Hawaii.

 

According to Faxon Law Group’s website, the trip is valued at $10,000 and includes round trip airfare for two guests, a 7-night deluxe hotel stay, complimentary entries to the Kona Marathon and/or Family Fun Runs, a gift card for spending, and more.

 

The trip’s two lucky winners, Marisa and Paul Valentinetti, were thrilled to win after Marisa generously donated to Project Purple in honor of her mother who passed away from pancreatic cancer.

(This is a press release from Project Purple)

Shelton Firm Donates Big to Project Purple

           

SEYMOUR - Staff members at Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte and Sterczala, P.C. (DHL&S) in Shelton took it upon themselves to support Project Purple, a Seymour-based nonprofit, by naming the charity as the recipient to its 2018 Jeans for Charity Fundraiser.

 

The staff was encouraged to donate to a fund which was matched by the firm every Friday, in exchange for being allowed to wear jeans. DHL&S raised more than $4,805 for Project Purple as part of its annual campaign.

 

DHL&S, which specializes in accounting, tax, auditing, and business consulting, has raised more than $58,905 for local charities with its Jeans for Charity campaign since 2004.

 

“Fundraisers like this are so important for spreading awareness and sharing our mission,” said Project Purple CEO Dino Verrelli.

 

Project Purple is a national charity that paid out $100,000 in patient financial aid to 152 patients and families who were fighting pancreatic cancer in 2018, while donating $1.38 million in research grants last year.

 

This cause is near and dear to the DHL&S office staff, as some of its members have been impacted personally by the disease.

 

“We are proud to support such a worthy organization,”  DHL&S said in a Facebook post.

 

(This is a press release from Project Purple)

Bad Sons Releasing New Brew

Copyright © 2019 BAD SONS Beer Co., All rights reserved.

Annual Gifts with Santa

Seymour Police Dogs Get Bulletproof Vests

K9 Rex

SEYMOUR- Seymour Police Department canines Rex & Zoar received bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

K9 Rex’s vest was sponsored by Richard Kearns of RKFMX in Prospect, CT and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by RKFMX “Guided by Angels””. K9 Zoar’s vest was sponsored by Robert Kezelevich of the Seymour Senior Citizen’s and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Seymour Senior Citizen’s."

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.



 K9 Zoar
 

(Information shared from Seymour Police Department's Facebook page)

Shred Unwanted Paper for a Good Cause

SEYMOUR - Project Purple is bringing Shred-it, a shredder truck, to downtown Seymour on Saturday, July 28 to provide local Connecticut residents and businesses with an opportunity to dispose of their unwanted personal papers to benefit pancreatic cancer research and patient financial aid. 

Project Purple asks that those interested bring boxes of paper they would like to shred to 115 Main St. between 8 and 11 a.m. for a recommended $10 donation per box.  

2 Bills Grill, a food truck from Fairfield, will be selling sandwiches at the event.

More details about this event can be found on Project Purple’s Facebook page. The nonprofit has a Facebook event page called “Shred for a Cause.”

Check out Projectpurple.org or Project Purple’s Facebook or Instagram pages to learn how you can join the fight against pancreatic cancer.

Annabella’s Angels Donates CuddleCot to Griffin Hospital

DERBY - The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital in Derby will be able to give parents who have a stillbirth or later term miscarriage extra time with their child thanks to a CuddleCot donation.

 

Annabella's Angels, a non-profit that raises funds to donate a CuddleCots throughout the state, presented the Childbirth Center staff with the $3,000 device and a specially-designed bassinette on April 24.

 

The CuddleCot keeps the body of the departed child cool so parents can have time to be with their child, have family visit, take pictures, take hand molds and receive religious blessings.

 

“Infant death is a harsh reality we cannot prevent and we cannot always foresee,” said Annabella’s Angels President and Founder Jessica Ocasio. “When parents are forced to say goodbye so shortly after hello, every minute matters.”

 

Jessica Ocasio and her husband Matthew formed the non-profit in memory of their daughter Annabella Grace, who was delivered stillborn at 18 weeks. Annabella's Angels has placed CuddleCots in St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury Hospital, Bristol Hospital, Hartford Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital.

 

“We are very thankful to Jessica, Matthew and everyone at Annabella’s Angels for this donation,” said Childbirth Center Clinical Director Marge Fischer, RNC, MSN, NEA-BC, C-EFM, “The CuddleCot gives parents the precious gift of time with their child and can be a wonderful help in healing spiritually.”

 

For more information about Annabella’s Angels, visit annabellasangels.com.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Shelton Woman Makes Donation

Karynn Weinstein, left, presents Griffin Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Director Eunice A. Lisk, MS, with a $700 donation to help cardiac rehabilitation patients pay for their health insurance co-pays.

DERBY -  Karynn Weinstein, of Shelton, recently donated $700 to Griffin Hospital's Development Fund to help cardiac rehabilitation patients cover their health insurance co-pays.

 

Weinstein is a disabled community member with a professional background in physical education and exercise physiology. In 2017, she started A Divine Universe For All in 2017, a 50l(C)(3) charity to help people in need with life-saving medical treatments and medication, debt, and mortgage mediations and modifications.

 

For more information about Griffin Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program, visit griffinhealth.org.

 

For more information about A Divine Universe For All, contact Weinstein at 203-456-1840 or karynn-weinstein@sbcglobal.net, or visit adivineuniverseforall.com.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Derby Mayor Raises Money for Griffin Cancer Center

Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan, far left, and Eric Heinig, manager of Archie Moore’s in Derby, center, recently presented Griffin Hospital CEO and President Patrick Charmel, second from left, with a check for The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital. Also pictured are Griffin Hospital Development Fund Director Tricia O’Malley and the Mayor’s Chief of Staff Andrew Baklik.

Big Y Donates $1,000 to Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness

Denise Barajas, MD, medical director of the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, receives a $1,000 donation from Big Y manager Bob Rainville as part of Big Y's 11th Annual Partners of Hope Campaign

 

DERBY - Big Y supermarket in Ansonia recently donated $1,000 to the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital to help prevent breast cancer in the Lower Naugatuck Valley area.

 

The donation was part of Big Y's 11th Annual Partners of Hope Campaign to promote breast cancer screening, education and treatment. Throughout October, Big Y stores sold $1 Partners of Hope pink ribbons. The funds collected were distributed to breast cancer organizations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts.

 

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital opened in 2011, combining state-of-the-art technology, a team of highly trained physicians and staff, and a Planetree healing environment to offer patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services.  The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness features two state-of-the-art digital mammography suites with 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) capability, a breast ultrasound suite, and advanced stereotactic biopsy. 

 

The Center also utilizes a rapid diagnostic model where patients are often given test results the same day imaging tests are performed, and if indicated, follow up testing (ultrasound, breast biopsy) and even consultation with a breast surgeon are often available the same day if the patient’s schedule permits.

 

For more information, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.

 

Shelton Mayor Lauretti Donates to The Kennedy Center

Mayor Lauretti of Shelton, right, presented Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center, left, with a $5,000 check from the Mayor’s Annual Charity Golf Classic.  This sizable donation will be used for the agency’s general operating expenses.
 

SHELTON- Mayor Mark A. Lauretti recently surprised the Kennedy Center with a big donation over the holiday season with proceeds from his annual charity golf tournament.

 

“We want to personally thank Mayor Lauretti and the supporters of his golf tournament for their generous donation to The Kennedy Center,” said Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center.  “This substantial contribution has been earmarked for general operating expenses, which will benefit the 2,000 people with disabilities we serve throughout the region.”

 

Mayor Lauretti added, “I have been involved with The Kennedy Center for several decades.  This major rehabilitation agency provides people with disabilities many employment and community resources throughout the region, including in Shelton. In fact, several years ago, I hired an outstanding Kennedy Center worker in my office at City Hall.  I am honored to provide this worthwhile organization with a $5,000 donation from the Mayor’s Golf Tournament, so they can continue helping others.”

 

The Kennedy Center, founded in 1951, is an internationally accredited, non-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that currently serves over 2,000 individuals annually. The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities and special needs, from birth to senior years.

 

The Kennedy Center operates 31 community experience programs, 16 group homes, an industries program composed of six businesses, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs. 

 

Visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org for more information. 

Brighten a Child's Holiday

Griffin's Books for Babies gets Big Boost

Michael Law, Senior Director, Customer Strategy and Planning at Edgewell Personal Care, second from left, recently presented a $5,000 donation to, from left, Margaret Fischer, RNC MSN NEA-BC C-EFM, clinical director of The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital, Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel, and Tricia O’Malley, director of The Griffin Hospital Development Fund, to support the Books for Babies program.

 

DERBY -  Edgewell Personal Care, of Shelton, recently made a generous $5,000 gift to support the Books for Babies program at The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

In addition to providing funds to purchase books for newborns, Edgewell also donated free sippy cups and feminine products.

 

“Edgewell is pleased to partner with Griffin Hospital to provide financial and product support to provide parents with the tools they need to get their children off to a good start,” said Michael Law, Senior Director, Customer Strategy and Planning at Edgewell and a member of Griffin Hospital’s Board of Directors.

 

The Books for Babies program provides a free children’s book to parents who have their baby at the Childbirth Center. A trained volunteer visits with parents to introduce the program and talk about the “how and why” of reading aloud to babies. Reading to babies builds a bond between parent and child, and stimulates brain development. Reading books opens doors to conversations and builds communication skills, language and literacy, as well as social and emotional skills.

 

About Edgewell

Edgewell is a leading producer of personal care products, including shaving preparations and systems, feminine care products and sun and skin care products.  The company has a broad global footprint and operates in more than 50 markets, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Japan and Australia with approximately 6,000 employees worldwide.

 

About The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital

The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital offers family-centered maternity care in an environment that will best meet individual and family needs. The Childbirth Center follows the patient-centered Planetree philosophy that focuses providing a warm, caring atmosphere for the patient and loved ones, including childbirth and child care education, and support groups. For more information, call 203-732-7252 or visit griffinhealth.org/childbirthcenter.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Eat, Drink & Be a Friend to Fluffy & Fido

Seymour First Selectman Loses Taco Bet; Washes TEAM's Fleet of Delivery Vans

Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller, right, from past taco-eating contest, with former champion Alex Danka
 

SEYMOUR - First Selectman Kurt Miller on Tuesday, June 20, made good on a bet he lost to TEAM Inc.'s President/CEO David Morgan, and spent two hours washing TEAM's Meals on Wheels food delivery trucks

Miller cleaned and polished several trucks in the parking lot of Hot Tamale's Mexican Bar & Grill.

The bet between Miller and Morgan happened last month during a charity taco-eating contest held at Hot Tamale's to raise money for the Meals on Wheels programs, which delivers nutritional meals directly to the front doors of the Valley's elderly folks and shut-ins.

According to TEAM officials, the Meals on Wheels program has taken a financial hit, thus being able to provide fewer amount of meals to those who request the service.

Those interested in making a donation to the program can do so by visiting TEAM's website at:  http://teaminc.org/donate/

To check out Miller in action, click the link below to view it on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/SeymourCT.org/videos/1458349354231127/

Goodwill to Open New Store in the Valley

SHELTON - Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut announced that it will open a new 17,000-square-foot store and donation station on Friday, June 2 at 397 Bridgeport Ave. 

 

With more than 40 employees from the surrounding community, the new Goodwill store in Shelton will also house a state-of-the-art Career Center. The Career Center will help local residents boost their chances of finding and landing a job through assistance in resume writing, job interview practice and access to job leads.

In addition, the new Shelton Goodwill Store will offer more than 8,100 square-feet of retail space providing customers greater variety than the average department store with thousands of one-of-a-kind finds including apparel for the family, home décor, electronics, furniture and more.

 

Customers will appreciate Shelton’s covered drive-thru donation station, which makes donating hassle-free with attendants on hand to help unload donations from vehicles and provide donors with a tax receipt for their contribution. 
 

Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut is a non-profit organization that provides employment and support services to people with disabilities and other challenges. The company uses the revenue from store sales to help fund job training programs and community-based services.

When customers shop at Goodwill, they’re not the only one who gets a great deal. Last year, sales from Goodwill stores in western and northern Connecticut helped to fund employment training, job placement services, youth mentoring and more to more than 25,000 people.
 

For more information about the new Stamford store, or to find a nearby Goodwill location, please visit www.gwct.org.

Help Derby High School Students Attend National Track Championships

DERBY -  There are some worthy young adults from Derby High School who need our help to attend the New Balance High School Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Greensboro, NC in June.

 

They need to raise $5,000.in the next week.  Would you be willing to help them?  If each of us made a small donation, the job would be very easy.

 

Can we reach the goal by the end of this long weekend?

 

There are a few ways to make the donation:

 

1.You donate on-line through GoFundMe by clicking here - https://www.gofundme.com/send-dhs-track-field-to-nationals

 

 

2.You can make checks payable to the “Derby Running Club” and they can be dropped off or mailed to:

a.       Derby High School, 75 Chatfield Street, Derby, CT

b.      Derby Town Clerk’s Office, 1 Elizabeth Street, Derby, CT

 

3. I will gladly jump out of line at the Derby-Shelton Parade on Monday to personally collect your check and thank you for your generosity!

 

Please forward this email to as many people as possible.

 

On behalf of the grateful young adults of Derby High School, I thank you for your consideration!

 

Have a safe and relaxing weekend!

 

Sincerely,

 

Marc J. Garofalo, MPA, CCTC - Town / City Clerk

 

(This is a press release from Marc Garofalo)

Great Give Raises Nearly $19,000 for Valley Homeless Shelter/Food Bank

SHELTON – The Area Congregations Together (ACT) Spooner House in Shelton was among the non-profits benefiting from the 36 hours of online giving during the Great Give^® organized by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Donations totaled $18,910 from 78 different individuals during the 2017 Great Give^® held on May 2 and 3.

The goal of raising more money from more people was met.

Spooner House did not receive enough donations during the designated fund raising period to unlock matching gifts and additional prize opportunities this year. Learn more about the results from Great Give® at thegreatgive.org.

In 2016 Spooner House received $17,374.27 in donations from 56 individuals and $1,310.64 in matching funds from the Valley Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. More than 470 non-profit organizations participated in the 2017 Great Give^®.  

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s 20 town service area includes: Ansonia , Bethany , Branford, Cheshire , Derby , East Haven, Guilford , Hamden , Madison , Milford , New Haven , North Branford, North Haven, Orange , Oxford , Seymour , Shelton , Wallingford , West Haven and Woodbridge.   

On Saturday May 13th the United States Postal Service (USPS) is running the annual

National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Everyone in the lower Naugatuck Valley is encouraged to leave a bag of non-perishable food items next to their mailbox for this important nationwide collection. All donations from Shelton Households will be donated to Spooner House.  

More detailed information can be found on the Spooner House website, www.actspooner.org.   

Non-profit Area Congregations Together, Inc. (ACT) was formed in1979 to help fill gaps in the lower Naugatuck Valley 's social service network. Today, Spooner House is operated by ACT and is a facility that provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 175 men, women and children each year.

More than 4,000 individuals have been served by the Food Bank this past year, comprising more than 120,000 meals. Spooner House is recognized as one of the most comprehensive emergency shelter programs in Connecticut and through its food bank provides ten days' worth of groceries each month to participating families throughout the lower Naugatuck Valley . Spooner House is devoted to helping people establish self-sufficiency in an atmosphere of respect and dignity. Area Congregations Together, Inc. is a partner agency of the Valley United Way.

(This is a press release from Spooner House/ACT) 

Fundraiser March 25 for Seymour Family in Need