Free School Supplies for Ansonia Students

 

Valley Students Treated to Back-to-School Supplies

Students Receive Free School Supplies-Contributed Photo

DERBY- Members of the Corporate Volunteer Council gathered Thursday at Irving School to proudly send 134 students in great need, back to school in style and ready to learn. 

The students at Irving who participated in this program are some of the community’s most vulnerable, and in need of assistance to go back to school with all the necessary supplies, like notebooks, pencils, crayons, and backpacks.

Principal Jen Olson and her incredible staff were so appreciative of the support from Valley United Way and the Corporate Volunteer Council companies who contributed and could not say enough about the impact this will have on their students. 

When the students and their families arrived to meet with the company who sponsored them, the children smiled ear to ear with excitement for all of their new items. Many moms were brought to tears at the generosity, stating people will never know just how much this is helping their family. 

Each child received a bin filled with two complete outfits to start school in style, a pair of sneakers, a winter coat, and a backpack filled with every school supply imaginable. 

 

Director of the Volunteer Center and Corporate Volunteer Council Patricia Tarasovic said, “The generosity and kindness of the CVC with Back to School reflects the overall CVC mission of making the greatest impact.” 

 

As the Corporate Volunteer Council wraps up its 20th Anniversary, members can proudly say that to date, the Back to School Clothes for Kids Program has supported a total of 2,987 children and invested $604,940 in Valley youth.

 

Thank you goes to all of the companies who participated and made an impact in our community’s children.

To Join in the Fight for a Stronger Community and help Valley United Way reach its goal, visit www.valleyunitedway.org or call 203-926-9478. 

Valley United Way is a registered 501(c)(3) organization proudly serving Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.  

 

United Way fights for the health, education of financial stability of every person in every community.  

 
(This is a press release from Valley United Way) 

Valley agencies benefit from drive at Shelton shop

Needy children to go back to school in style

Pictured at J Cuts in Shelton are front row from left:  Tylice MacDonald, Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Child Resource Center; Jennifer Sneider, owner, J Cuts; Karen Martinez, Child FIRST Care Coordinator, LNV PCRC.  Back row from left:  Jen DeLeon, Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley; Jane Bailey, Shelton School Readiness Council; and Suzanne Reilly, Director,  Family Support Services, TEAM Inc. / Contributed photo 


SHELTON - When it comes to children in need, the Valley always comes through.

For the eighth consecutive year, an Annual Book Bag & School Supply drive has been a great success.  More than 100 book bags and an abundance of back to school supplies were collected this year. 

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

Each year beginning July 1, Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts, provides the main collection location for supplies such as book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper, folders, and more.  

"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., donated collection posters again this year. 

For a third year the Shelton Community Lions Club collected supplies during weekly summer concerts on the Huntington Green.  As a result, they were able to contribute greatly to the drive.

The Shelton Community Lions Club purchases eye glasses for less fortunate children, coordinates pediatric eye screenings for daycare centers, and runs a poster contest for 11-13 year olds.

For the first time this year, Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. at 1931 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, held a collection and dropped off supplies at J Cuts.
 In addition, members of the First United Methodist Church in Shelton held their own drive and dropped off some last minute donations.
 

As an added bonus this year, coordinators of the drive were contacted by Jackie Romaniuk, Dental Health Care Specialist with the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (CTDHP), the dental plan for HUSKY Health. 

They provided oral kits each containing a tooth brush, toothpaste, floss and oral health education. 

The CTDHP is the dental plan for HUSKY Health and promotes good oral hygiene to more than 700,000 children and adults on the HUSKY Health plan. For the last two years, CTDHP has partnered with community agencies, primary care providers and OB/GYN offices across the state to share oral health kits with children and pregnant women who are HUSKY Health members.

“The oral health kits contain tips to keep the mouth healthy as well as the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth to maintain a person’s general health," Romaniuk said. "The beginning of the school year traditionally correlates with starting new routines and habits. This seems like the perfect opportunity to spread the oral health message of the importance of daily oral hygiene and scheduling a dental exam.”

HUSKY Health members can contact the CTDHP call center at 855- CT- DENTAL or visit www.ctdhp.com for help connecting to one of the 1,900 dental providers available.  

Children receiving donations from this community drive are served by TEAM, Inc.in Derby, the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Shelton School Readiness Program and the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Child Resource Center, all in Shelton, and BHcare in Ansonia.

The oral kits were given to students who received back to school donations, as well as kindergarten students at Irving School in Derby and the Milford Department of Children & Families office.

Monkey Love Drive

J Cuts will be the main collection site beginning Jan. 1 for the Ninth Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive.  

Although this community drive officially kicks off on Jan. 1, donations are accepted at any time.  Donations must be new, stuffed monkeys with tags.

This drive will benefit 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 shared with additional agencies who assist needy children.

Any individual, group, business or organization is welcome to join in the Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive by holding a collection. 

Call Sneider at 203-924-4107 with questions or for more information.

This post is taken from a lightly edited press release from the drive organizers.

Churches to hold Blessing of the Backpacks in Oxford

BLESSING

OF THE BACKPACKS

Sunday, August 24^th, 4pm

Oxford Town Hall Gazebo

 Area churches will be collecting Backpacks and or School supplies.

For more info, contact Immanuel Lutheran Church 203.888.4713

We hope to see you there!

(Sponsored by the Oxford-Seymour Clergy & Churches)

Lodge in Ansonia launches school supply drive

ANSONIA - James H. Wilkins Lodge #9 is kicking off its annual school supply drive today to benefit students who attend schools in Ansonia and Derby, according to a release from member Gregory Gatison. 
"Our annual drive officially starts on Wednesday," he said. 
 
Each summer Lodge members work diligently to gather supplies for those in need.

Donations may be dropped off at the Lodge, 150 Tremont St., from 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 24. 
Pencils, dry erase markers and colored pencils are in demand, Gatison said. 

Monetary donations may also be sent to: James H Wilkins Lodge #9, P.O. Box 36, Ansonia, 06401, he said.


The Lodge is to be commended for its efforts to help the community. Consider helping the members reach their goal of providing needy children with enough supplies to start the coming school year.


Information in this post is taken from a press release.

Annual school supply drive starts in Valley

Pictured at J-Cuts in Shelton in August, 2013 are from left: Michelle Sanders, Boys & Girls Club of the LNV and Jennifer Sneider, Owner, J Cuts. Back Row: Karen Martinez, Child FIRST Care Coordinator, LNV Parent Child Resource Center; Tylice MacDonald, LNV Parent Child Resource Center; Suzanne Reilly, Director of Family Support Services, TEAM Inc.; Jane Bailey, Shelton School Readiness Council; Dave Haddad, President of Shelton Community Lions Club; Jennifer Olson, Principal of Irving School and Tony Vellucci, Development Officer, Spooner House./ Contributed photo


SHELTON - When it comes to children in need, the Valley never lets them down! 
For the eighth consecutive year, the Annual Book Bag & School Supply drive has begun again. Between now and Aug. 30, book bags and school supplies are being collected around the Valley.

Last year, more than 76 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 Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts, located at 505 Howe Ave.
J Cuts is the main collection location. 
Supplies may include book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper and folders. Supplies are collected for all school-aged children from pre-school to high school. All book bags and supplies must be brand new. "The outpouring of kindness within the community always warms my heart," said Sneider. 
“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,” she said.
Minuteman Press in Shelton is also donating collection posters. 
Last year, Dave Haddad of the Shelton Lion’s Club, led his organization in a weekly collection. Book bags and supplies were collected during free summer concerts held Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. on the Huntington Green. 

Other local businesses and organizations are invited and encouraged to join in by holding collections of their own to add to the donations.
Children who received donations last year are serviced by TEAM, Inc. and Irving School, both in Derby, along with the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Area Congregations Together/Spooner House, Shelton School Readiness Program and the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Resource Center, all in Shelton. 

J Cuts is also the main collection location for the Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive. The 9th Annual Drive will begin Jan. 1, 2015. 
Although this community drive officially kicks off on Jan.1st, donations are accepted at any time. Donations must be new, stuffed monkeys preferably with tags. 

The monkey drive benefits the same groups of children in need as the Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive. 
For more information on either drive, call Jennifer Sneider at J Cuts, 203-924-4107.

This is a press release from Jennifer Sneider, owner, J Cuts in Shelton.

School supply drive aids students in Ansonia, Derby

School supplies were delivered to six Valley schools before the first day. Pictured from left outside John C. Mead Elementary School in Ansonia are Paul Moskal, custodian, John Belton, James H. Wilkins Lodge, and Surether Belton, Past Matron, Sheba Chapter #1 Order of the Eastern Star. / Contributed photo

The back to school supply drive project started in 2004 by Gregory Gatison of James H. Wilkins Lodge and Sheba Chapter #1 Prince Hall Masons of Ansonia.

Gatison said the goal is to supply students at Mead, John G. Prendergast School and Ansonia Middle School and Derby Middle School, Bradley and Irving Schools in Derby with back to school supplies.

Donations are solicited from the fraternity, friends and the community.
Major community sponsors include Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Staples Office Supply in Stratford and Jenkins-King Funeral Home in Ansonia.

Assisting Gatison with this year's school supply deliveries were Bill McLean, Clarence Beall, Jim Hodge, John Belton, and Surether Belton.


This is taken from a press release.

7th annual book bag drive slated for Valley children

Plan in the works for back to school

Pictured from left are Frank Yaworowski, President, Shelton Community Lions Club; Jennifer Sneider, Owner, J Cuts; Jennifer DeLeon, Boys & Girls Club of the LNV and Scharletta Samuel, T.E.A.M., Inc. of Derby, at J Cuts in Shelton last summer. / Contributed photo

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

For a seventh consecutive year, the Annual Book Bag & School Supply drive has begun.

Between now and Aug. 30, book bags and school supplies are being collected around the Valley.

 Last year, 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 Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts, located at 505 Howe Ave.

J Cuts is the main collection location. Supplies may include book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper and folders. Supplies are collected for all school-aged children from preschool to high school. 

All book bags and supplies must be new.

"The outpouring of kindness within 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.”

Other collection locations include Minuteman Press, 427B Howe Ave., and Haynes Materials locations in Seymour and Oxford. Minuteman Press is also donating collection posters.

For a third year in a row, Dave Haddad of the Shelton Lions Club, is leading his organization in a weekly collection.  Book bags and supplies can be donated during free summer concerts held Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. on the Huntington Green.

 

Children who benefited from this community effort last year included those serviced by T.E.A.M., Inc. of Derby and the Boys and Girls Clubs in Shelton and Ansonia. 

Monkey Love

J Cuts is also the main collection location for the Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive. 

The eighth Annual Drive will begin Jan. 1, 2014.

The monkey drive benefits the same groups of children in need as the Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive.

For information on either drive call Jennifer Sneider at J Cuts, 203-924-4107.

This post is taken from a press release.

 

Ansonia groups to hold annual drive for school supplies

   ANSONIA - James H Wilkins Lodge #9 and Sheba Chapter #1, Order of the Eastern Star, will kick off their 9th Annual Back to School Drive July 12. 
 
     This project was started in 2005 by Gregory Gatison of James H. Wilkins Lodge as a way for these two Prince Hall Masonic fraternities to address the need for school supplies for children of Valley elementary schools. 
    The program originally started with two schools in Ansonia and Derby and has since grown to serve six schools in the area.

     Through fund-raising projects and donations from the fraternal membership, corporations, area businesses, and community friends, the fraternities provide pens, backpacks, pencils, notebooks, binders, crayons, glue, folders, clay, and other supply requests they receive from the schools.

    All supplies are delivered to the schools prior to the first day and are distributed to students who can use them. 
     As local boards of education struggle with ever-increasing supply demands on their budgets, the masonic fraternity is providing this support where and when needed.

      This year`s drive will continue through mid-August. Monetary donations are tax deductible and are used to purchase supplies in bulk. 
     For information, contact Project Manager Gregory Gatison, 203-685-0937. 
Donations in the form of checks or money orders may be sent to James H. Wilkins Lodge #9, P.O. Box 36, Ansonia, 06401.


This post is taken from a press release from Gregory Gatison.

                                                    

Business owner collecting school supplies for Valley kids

SHELTON - Book bags and back to school supplies are being collected for needy children in the Valley during the 6th Annual Back to School Book Bag and School Supply Drive.  

Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts, located at 505 Howe Ave. will collect supplies such as book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper and folders until Aug. 26. All items must be brand new.  

A second collection location is Minuteman Press at 427B Howe Ave. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or call 203-922-9228.

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

The fifth annual drive resulted in 1,570 items collected totaling approximately $3,718 in book bags and supplies. A total of 110 children were assisted last year.

At the time, these children were being serviced by TEAM, Inc. of Shelton, the Department of Family & Children's Aid/Shelton Safe Home, the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley and the Covenant to Care for Children Adopt a Social Worker Program.

Once again, Vinny Cordone of Shelton, owner of Cordone Landscape & Lawn Maintenance Service was a major contributor donating 100 brand new book bags.

The Shelton Lions’ Club held its own collection and contributed 100 items to the donations. The club is again joining the drive.

"Donors providing new bags and supplies help these challenged children build their confidence and self-esteem as they return to school. Otherwise, these children feel disadvantaged and different from other children. Sporting a new book bag like the other kids on the first day of school, it allows them to walk in with pride and start out feeling more positive about attending school,”  said Meral Prewitt, Regional Coordinator and Team Leader of the Adopt A Social Worker Program.

"This year, we hope to double our numbers," Sneider said. "Children sometimes don't want to go back to school because they don't have what other children have. This drive is very important and critical because it helps to boost their confidence."

The majority of the children who receive supplies are in multiple-problem families and struggling with myriad difficulties including, poverty, domestic violence, developmental disabilities, abuse, neglect and potential homelessness.  

All donations will be distributed to needy children who are getting ready to go back to school. These children are served by the Department of Children & Families/Shelton Safe Home, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, the A.C.T./Spooner House and TEAM, Inc. of Shelton.  

Donations will be accepted from individuals, as well as groups.  Area corporations and organizations are encouraged to hold their own collections.

For information, call J Cuts, 203-924-4107. All donations are tax deductible.

The above was taken from a release from J Cuts in Shelton.