Valley United Way Elects New Officers

 Newly Elected VUW Chairman Michael Gnibus 

SHELTON - Despite Valley United Way not being able to hold its planned public Annual Meeting on April 30, its Board recently elected new officers to serve until its next Annual Meeting and thanked a number of long-time directors whose terms have ended.

Members whose terms have ended include Jimmy Tickey, who served as Board Vice Chair; Jennifer Bull, CPA, (PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP); Peter Dagostine (First Group America); Michael Duncan (Edgewell Personal Care); Fred Ortoli (Ortoli Photography); Ramon Peralta (Peralta Design) and Janice Sheehy (Webster Bank).

On his departure, Tickey remarked, “The Valley United Way has made a real difference for people in our community. It has been a pleasure to serve on the Board for 10 years and lead our community campaign for 3 of those years - working to raise substantial funds to support the programs and agencies that thousands of families rely on in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.  I know the Valley United Way will continue to focus on preparing youth to succeed, strengthening families, and helping people in crisis."

David Kennedy, Interim President and COO, commented, “Valley United Way has been gifted with decades of exceptional service from these Directors.  It was very hard to say “thanks” to them in a non-public forum for their care for the Valley through United Way. However, we look forward to doing that at our rescheduled Annual Meeting, whenever that will be.”

At its April 22 board meeting, directors elected the following officers for terms ending at the next Annual Meeting:  Chair, Michael Gnibus (Armstrong Teasdale); Vice Chair, Karen Stockla (Prudential Financial); Secretary, Dominick Thomas, Esq. (Cohen & Thomas) and Treasurer, Gregory DeStefano, CPA (Cherubino & Company, PC).

Gnibus is an intellectual property attorney and partner in the New York office of the St. Louis based law firm of Armstrong Teasdale. Before working there, he spent 10 years at the General Electric office in Shelton where he led the GE United Way campaign and multiple service projects that were run through VUW. He has served on the Valley United Way Board for ten years and has provided leadership support to the United Way’s Youth Leadership program.

“It is with mixed emotions that I acknowledge the United Way’s departing Board members,” Gnibus remarked.  “On behalf of Valley United Way I want to thank the departing Board members for their many years of service. We are grateful for their collective, tireless commitment to ensuring that Valley United Way’s support aligned with and met the evolving needs of area residents.  Although they will not be active on the Board going forward, I am pleased to let you know that many of the departing Board members have committed to remaining active by supporting our committees. I am looking forward to leading our dedicated Board, and continuing to evolve the organization to ensure that we maximize Valley United Way’s positive impact on the community.”

Board members continuing to give leadership to Valley United Way include Patrick Charmel (Griffin Hospital); Joy DeMarchis (DeMarchis Family Holdings);  Brian Diehl (Pitney Bowes); Jill Johnson (Iroquois Pipeline); John McFarland (Hubbell Incorporated); Mary Ann Miskowicz (Better Packages); Bill Purcell (Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce); Jeffrey Tracey (Mutual Security Credit Union) and Michael Wilson (Seymour Public Schools).

As a leading philanthropic organization in Lower Naugatuck Valley, Valley United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and collaboration. For more information about the organization, visit its website at www.valleyunitedway.org or contact David Kennedy, Interim President/COO at 203-538-6341.

(This is a press release from Valley United Way)

Help Feed Those in Need During Health Crisis

Volunteers Needed for Plant-Based Diets Study

DERBY – The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, is looking for adult volunteers to take part in a study looking at how a vegan diet, with or without eggs, affects diet quality and heart health.

Study participants will eat a plant-based diet for approximately five months, including eggs for six weeks. 

The study team plans to enroll 35 adults in this study, including men who are 25 to 75 years old, and women up to 75 years of age who have gone through menopause, but are not on hormone replacement therapy. Those who qualify must be non-smokers, and have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes based on certain criteria for this study.

Benefits for those who participate in this study include free study-related dietary counseling from a dietitian, free health testing, free eggs, grocery store gift cards to purchase vegan foods, and a total of $600 for completing the study.

For more information and to be considered for this study, please call Rocky at 203-732-1265 extension 300.

This study is funded by the Egg Nutrition Center, the science and nutrition education division of the American Egg Board that sponsors health-related scientific research that is primarily focused on eggs.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Volunteers Needed for Earth Day Clean-up

ANSONIA - Mayor Dave Cassetti is seeking volunteers to assist in his third annual Earth Day Cleanup of litter on select streets in the City. 

The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon April 27. The meeting place is 9 a.m. at the Ansonia Armory, 5 State St. Reflective vests, pickers, and trash bags will be provided. Over the past two Earth Day events, more than 1,000 lbs of paper/cans/bottles have been collected. All volunteers participating will be treated to a post-cleanup pizza party too! 


Those interested should contact the Mayor’s office. 203-736-5900 or email at: gmartin@ansoniact.org

The rain date is April 28.

Help Clean-Up Mother Earth

Free Tax Help Available

Griffin Seeking Volunteers

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is looking for volunteers to help provide patients and caregivers peace of mind about future healthcare decisions.

 

The hospital’s new Advance Care Planning Volunteer Program will train individuals to help guide others in developing a plan for their care in the event they are unable to speak for themselves. Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process of understanding, reflecting on, and discussing individual goals, beliefs and values in order to determine one's healthcare wishes and assign a healthcare representative to make decisions on his or her behalf.

 

The program includes an online learning component and interactive classes.

 

For more information or to register, call Lynn Aiksnoras at 203-732-1255 or email at laiksnoras@griffinhealth.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital) 

Valley Volunteers Honored

Cathi Kellett and Officer Mike Barry

DERBY - Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition recently marked its 5^th anniversary and honored its dedicated volunteers with a dinner at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

 

Operating within Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach Program, Safe Kids Naugatuck Valley is part of Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit organization working to help families and communities keep kids safe from injuries.

The local program was became a chapter 2004 and developed into a coalition under Safe Kids CT. In 2013, the program grew to include many Naugatuck Valley towns and became its own stand-alone coalition.



Cathi Kellett and Michele Holovach

 

Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition educates children and adults on variety of health and safety programs to reduce unintentional injuries among children. Program topics include anti-bullying, germ protection, teen distracted driving, bicycle and wheeled sport safety, anti-tobacco use, child passenger safety, exercise and sports safety, and internet safety.

 

Ansonia Police Officer Michael Barry, and Michele Holovach and Jamie Peterson, of TEAM, Inc., received the Volunteer Excellence Award.

 

Officer Barry has volunteered with Safe Kids since 2006 and has been very active in programs involving child passenger safety, teen driving, pedestrian safety, poison prevention, and anti-bullying.

 

“At any given community health fair, program at Griffin Hospital or in one of the Ansonia schools, Officer Barry offers his guidance, support, expertise - and most of all his time - to bring quality programs to our community to ensure safe, happy and healthy children and families,” said Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition Coordinator Cathi Kellett.

 

Holovach and Peterson have been essential in coordinating with Head Start classrooms in Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Seymour, and Beacon Falls, to bring Safe Kids’ health and safety programs to more than 250 students every month throughout the school year. Additionally, they support major grant projects to fit every child with a new car seat and bike helmet, provide concussion protocols and water safety programs, and educate parents and caregivers at regular dinners throughout the year.

 

“Their collaboration is instrumental in keeping Safe Kids constantly moving forward.” Kellett said. “They are a vital part of our success.”

 

For more information about Safe Kids Naugatuck Valley, visit griffinhealth.org/safe-kids or contact Kellett at 203-732-1337 or ckellett@griffinhealth.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers Needed

DERBY - The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, is looking for volunteers to provide additional support for elderly patients.

 

HELP is designed to offer special services to older adults while hospitalized at Griffin Hospital. Between 30 and 50 percent of seniors can experience a decline in their physical and cognitive abilities during a hospital stay.

 

HELP is a comprehensive, evidence based, patient-care program that provides various volunteer interventions such as meal time assistance, friendly visits, activities, walking and exercise to help patients maintain their optional level of functioning. HELP team members work in partnership with the doctors and nursing staff to highlight issues specific to geriatric care and to provide education to patients and their families.

 

Training and supervision will be provided. No previous medical experience is required. Volunteers have a choice of working various weekday shifts between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Scholarship incentives are also available for eligible college students.

 

The next HELP training is scheduled to begin in the spring. To learn more about this exciting program or to become a HELP volunteer, please call Laura Murphy at 203-732-7466.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Volunteers Needed for MS, Sleep Study

DERBY - The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center and Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center, both located at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, are seeking volunteers for a study on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and insomnia.

 

This study will compare mindfulness meditation to sleep hygiene counseling in treating insomnia and improving quality of life in individuals with MS.

 

“Many people with MS suffer from chronic insomnia, and some of the medications used to treat insomnia can have adverse effects,” said Joseph B. Guarnaccia, MD, Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center director. “Therefore, it is desirable to find alternative treatments for insomnia. The potential role of mindfulness – which is focusing full attention on the present moment without judgment - in affecting sleep has not yet been studied in people with MS.”

 

To participate, volunteers must be adults with a diagnosis of MS who suffer from chronic insomnia. They must be willing to come to Griffin Hospital for three assessments throughout the study, and to attend a weekly, two-hour training session for eight weeks and one eight-hour weekend session, and wear a Fitbit activity monitor (provided to volunteers) for several weeks to record their sleep data.

 

Volunteers will be randomly assigned to training on either mindfulness or sleep hygiene, which will be offered at either Griffin Hospital or the Yale Stress Center.  They will receive $200 for their role in the training and assessment, which will be provided free of charge. This study is funded by a grant from the State of Connecticut’s Biomedical Research Trust Fund. 

 

For information, call 203-732-1265, extension 220 for Sue, or extension 300 for Rockiy.

 

About The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center

The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center (PRC) is committed to research pertaining to the primary, secondary, & tertiary prevention of chronic disease that is responsive to the priorities of the Lower Naugatuck Valley residents, the residents of Connecticut’s major cities, and other communities throughout the state. The center is dedicated to participatory research methods, to a robust research agenda inclusive of developmental/determinant, intervention, and translational research; to community involvement in public health; to the eradication of disparities in health and health care in the communities served; and to the dissemination of effective interventions in support of the national objectives of Healthy People

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

How Does Your Garden Grow?

The following is an article written by Lori Singer, a volunteer writer  ​for​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way:
 

The​ ​enthusiasm​ ​was​ ​infectious​ ​and​ ​tangible​ ​as​ ​residents​ ​came​ ​together​ ​a​ ​little while​ ​ago​ ​in​ ​the​ ​evening​ ​to​ ​celebrate​ ​the​ ​flourishing​ ​community​ ​gardens​ ​planted​ ​there​ ​this​ ​past​ ​May. 

The​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way’s​ ​program,​ ​“Grow​ ​Your​ ​Own”​ ​spearheaded​ ​by​ ​Susan​ ​Meek​ ​and​ ​followed by​ ​Brian​ ​Rich,​ ​consists​ ​of​ ​numerous​ ​garden​ ​beds--surrounded​ ​by​ ​picket​ ​fences--in​ ​Gatison​ ​Park​ ​and​ ​Pine Lot,​ ​both​ ​in​ ​Ansonia,​ ​CT.​ ​These​ ​neighborhoods​ ​were​ ​chosen​ ​as​ ​an​ ​ongoing​ ​effort​ ​to​ ​help​ ​low-income residents​ ​fight​ ​food​ ​insecurity​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Valley​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​more​ ​nutritious​ ​food​ ​for​ ​their​ ​families.

Echoing​ ​the​ ​positive​ ​sentiment,​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way​ ​President​ ​Sharon​ ​Gibson​ ​said,​ ​“Valley​ ​United Way​ ​is​ ​excited​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​program​ ​to​ ​our​ ​Valley​ ​communities.” 

The​ ​key​ ​word​ ​is​ ​“community”​ ​as​ ​residents​ ​came​ ​out​ ​in​ ​droves-many​ ​discovering​ ​the​ ​gardens​ ​and produce​ ​were​ ​for​ ​them​ ​for​ ​the​ ​first​ ​time.​ ​Wide​ ​eyes​ ​and​ ​big​ ​smiles​ ​became​ ​commonplace​ ​as​ ​the​ ​news spread.​ ​Many​ ​residents​ ​asked​ ​for​ ​tours​ ​and​ ​were​ ​given​ ​bags​ ​to​ ​search​ ​for​ ​fresh​ ​veggies​ ​that​ ​were​ ​ripe​ ​for picking:​ ​cherry​ ​tomatoes;​ ​three​ ​different​ ​types​ ​of​ ​lettuce;​ ​green​ ​peppers;​ ​squash;​ ​chard;​ ​cabbage; cucumbers;​ ​eggplant;​ ​and​ ​many​ ​more,​ ​plus​ ​herbs​ ​to​ ​accent​ ​and​ ​give​ ​flavor​ ​to​ ​their​ ​meals:​ ​basil;​ ​sage; rosemary;​ ​cilantro;​ ​thyme​ ​and​ ​parsley. 

 “I​ ​live​ ​right​ ​next​ ​to​ ​Pine​ ​Lot​ ​and​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​this​ ​garden​ ​was​ ​just​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Boys​ ​and​ ​Girls​ ​Club.​ ​I clicked​ ​like​ ​and​ ​share​ ​on​ ​facebook​ ​and​ ​headed​ ​down​ ​here​ ​right​ ​away!,”​ ​said​ ​Rhonda​ ​Rossik.​ ​She​ ​added, “I​ ​can​ ​get​ ​the​ ​girl​ ​scouts​ ​involved​ ​too!,”​ ​as​ ​she​ ​walked​ ​through​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​sharing​ ​her​ ​knowledge​ ​and enthusiasm​ ​with​ ​others​ ​who​ ​were​ ​deciding​ ​what​ ​they​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​pick​ ​for​ ​dinner.  

Cherry​ ​tomatoes​ ​were​ ​by​ ​far​ ​the​ ​most​ ​popular​ ​vegetable.​ ​At​ ​Gatison​ ​Park,​ ​Maya,​ ​her​ ​two​ ​sisters Ramona​ ​and​ ​Tiffany​ ​Wright​ ​and​ ​their​ ​children​ ​come​ ​to​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​often.​ ​“We​ ​go​ ​here​ ​everyday​ ​picking carrots​ ​and​ ​grape​ ​tomatoes​ ​and​ ​eating​ ​them,”​ ​she​ ​said.​ ​Jazmiah,​ ​Ramona’s​ ​7-year-old​ ​daughter​ ​“loves vegetables”​ ​and​ ​Tiffany’s​ ​daughter,​ ​5-year-old​ ​Kaylynn​ ​“loves​ ​gazpacho!” 

Another​ ​Gatison​ ​Park​ ​resident​ ​who​ ​frequents​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​is​ ​Malika​ ​Mosely.​ ​She​ ​has​ ​an 11-year-old​ ​daughter​ ​and​ ​walks​ ​by​ ​in​ ​the​ ​morning,​ ​afternoon​ ​and​ ​the​ ​evening​ ​on​ ​her​ ​way​ ​home​ ​from work.​ ​“I​ ​usually​ ​look​ ​for​ ​the​ ​lettuce,​ ​cucumbers​ ​and​ ​tomatoes,”​ ​she​ ​said. 

And​ ​what​ ​would​ ​a​ ​block​ ​party​ ​be​ ​without​ ​Domino’s​ ​pizza,​ ​an​ ​ice​ ​cream​ ​truck​ ​and​ ​a​ ​special​ ​arts and​ ​crafts​ ​project​ ​for​ ​the​ ​children?​ ​Plus​ ​chef​ ​Audra​ ​Weisel,​ ​who​ ​had​ ​stiff​ ​competition​ ​from​ ​the​ ​pizza​ ​and ice​ ​cream,​ ​but​ ​was​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​task.​ ​Happily​ ​she​ ​handed​ ​out​ ​samples​ ​of​ ​her​ ​healthy​ ​cooked​ ​tomatoes, asparagus,​ ​zucchini​ ​and​ ​other​ ​fresh​ ​veggies​ ​along​ ​with​ ​the​ ​recipes​ ​for​ ​cooking​ ​them​ ​in​ ​their​ ​own​ ​homes. 

Weisel​ ​has​ ​a​ ​long​ ​history​ ​of​ ​helping​ ​out​ ​low-income​ ​families​ ​and​ ​started​ ​digging​ ​and​ ​planting​ ​for “Grow​ ​Your​ ​Own“​ ​this​ ​past​ ​May.​ ​“I’m​ ​happy​ ​to​ ​lend​ ​my​ ​expertise​​ ​i​n​ ​any​ ​way,​ ​shape​ ​or​ ​form,”​ ​she​ ​said. Quickly​ ​adding​ ​whether​ ​that​ ​means,”teaching​ ​them​ ​how​ ​to​ ​can​ ​their​ ​vegetables​ ​or​ ​learning​ ​how​ ​to​ ​cook them.”​ ​She​ ​is​ ​hoping​ ​“they​ ​will​ ​try​ ​something​ ​new​ ​…​ ​and​ ​like​ ​it!”  

“Grow​ ​Your​ ​Own”​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way’s​ ​projects.​ ​With​ ​a​ ​third​ ​garden​ ​already​ ​planted​ ​at Irving​ ​School​ ​in​ ​Derby,​ ​the​ ​program​ ​is​ ​expecting​ ​to​ ​expand​ ​next​ ​year,​ ​including​ ​more​ ​locations​ ​and getting​ ​more​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community​ ​involved.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​possible​ ​thanks​ ​to​ ​the​ ​generosity​ ​of​ ​our​ ​premiere sponsor,​ ​Avan​ ​Grid,​ ​plus​ ​Newtown​ ​Savings​ ​Bank​ ​and​ ​Lavietes​ ​Foundation. 

The​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way​ ​is​ ​a​ ​nonprofit​ ​organization​ ​with​ ​other​ ​projects​ ​and​ ​events​ ​happening simultaneously​ ​to​ ​fulfill​ ​the​ ​need​ ​of​ ​scarcity​ ​of​ ​food​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Valley.​ ​Two​ ​of​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way’s​ ​signature projects,​ ​Back​ ​to​ ​School​ ​Clothes​ ​for​ ​Kids​ ​and​ ​their​ ​21st​ ​Week​ ​of​ ​Caring​ ​project-Harvest​ ​House​ ​VII,​ ​are both​ ​aimed​ ​at​ ​helping​ ​low-income​ ​kids​ ​and​ ​their​ ​families.

To​ ​volunteer​ ​or​ ​get​ ​involved​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way,​ ​please​ ​contact:​ ​Patricia​ ​Tarasovic,​ ​Vice President​ ​of​ ​Community​ ​Engagement​ ​at​ ​(203)​ ​926-9478​ ​or​ ​visit:​ ​​www.valleyunitedway.org​.

TEAM Seeks Volunteers for Free Tax Preparation Service

DERBY-  TEAM, Inc.,  is seeking volunteers to assist low-income families and individuals in filing their taxes and claiming refunds owed to them, such as federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) that can boost their yearly income by up to 35 percent.  The TEAM VITA program is held at the VITA Clinics located at TEAM Derby, Derby Neck Library and the Milford Senior Center and operates from January 29 to April 16, 2018.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free preparation of federal and state income tax returns to low-income individuals and families.  No experience is necessary.  All volunteers will receive training appropriate for their position.  Volunteers receive the materials for self-study on basic income tax law for federal and state returns.  In addition, training sessions will take place in January 2018. 

To become a VITA Volunteer and to learn more about the program, a VITA  Information Session will be held on Monday, October  30, 2017, 5:00 p.m. at TEAM, 30 Elizabeth Street, Derby , CT.  Please call (203) 736-5420 ext. 202 or email spaytas@teaminc.org to reserve a seat.

TEAM Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to strengthen our community by educating, supporting and empowering individuals and families. TEAM programs impact the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Naugatuck, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour, Waterbury and Woodbridge.           

(This is a press release from TEAM)

Donations Sought for Valley Thrift Store

ANSONIA - My Sister’s Place Thrift Store & Donation Center has supported victims of domestic violence for more than 30 years. 

All store proceeds benefit BHcare’s Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services.

The store prides itself on offering quality items for resale to the community. 

More than 25 volunteers work tirelessly, seven days a week, sorting through box after box of donations. 
Sometimes they find items that cannot be used. Any item that has mold or mildew, has been contaminated by rodents, has an unpleasant odor and/or is badly damaged is disposed of and will not be sold in the store.
 

The generosity of donors is appreciated and staff and volunteers try their best to get every dollar possible out of the items donated. 
Ripped and stained clothing pieces are sold as rags and wires are stripped from broken electronics for resale/recycle. 
 

“At a time of uncertainties with the state budget, we are truly grateful for the support we receive from My Sister’s Place,” said Esperina Stubblefield, Director of The Umbrella. “This source of revenue allows us to continue to help thousands of victims of domestic violence."

 

UCDVS provides free and confidential services to more than 6,000 victims of domestic violence and their children. 

Services such as emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis hotlines, walk-in crisis centers, counseling, advocacy, and other supports are provided to those fleeing from domestic abuse. 

My Sister's Place, a program of BHcare, offers quality new and gently used clothing, furniture and housewares at discount prices. 

 

To learn more visit the store, 380 Main St., or visit www.bhcare.org and www.facebook.com/MySistersPlace.

(This is a press release from BHcare)

Grief Education Center Creates Memorial Garden

VCF Board Chariman Alan Tyma and Adam's House
Founder/CEO Allison Wysota

SHELTON – A $2,500 grant from the Valley Community Foundation helped volunteers with Adam’s House construct a front garden on June 14 that encircles the memorial walkway at the nonprofit grief education center at 241 Coram Ave.

 

Adam’s House Founder and Executive Director Allison Wysota said, “We are thrilled that our front garden surrounding our memorial walkway is now a beautiful, welcoming space that will offer peace and healing not only to grieving children and families that enter our program, but to all in the Shelton community that pass by our doors.”

 

As part of the Adam’s House “Healing Hearts” program, children can create a commemorative brick to place on the memorial walkway to honor and celebrate the life a loved one.

 

The Valley Community Foundation grant funded the plantings and construction of the gardens that encompass the memorial walkway.

 

“Valley Community Foundation (VCF) President and CEO Sharon Closius works closely with our program officer and community grants committee to make smart investments in the changing needs and opportunities of the Valley,” said Alan Tyma, VCF Board Chair. “The Foundation is thrilled to be able to support the mission of the Adam’s House at the maximum level of our community grants, ranging from $250-$2,500. One focus of the Foundation is to strengthen the impact of small nonprofits, those with fewer than two full-time or fewer than four part-time staff, by supporting a variety of community engagement efforts. Based on their presentation, Adam’s House should be a valuable member of our community for a long time.”

 

The Olde Ripton Garden Club in Shelton led by Garden Designer Renee Marsh, owner of A Simpler Place, contributed the project’s landscape design. Twelve volunteers from the Shelton office of Nasdaq made up the labor force that turned Marsh’s landscape design into reality. During a warm, sunny day, the Nasdaq volunteers cheerfully planted a new array of hydrangeas, lilies, catmint, roses, a dogwood tree and other plantings to create the memorial walkway landscaping and front garden. 

 

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

Wesley Village Seeking Volunteers

 

SHELTON - Are you an active adult looking for a great way to stay busy while helping others? Join our Wesley Village volunteer team! Wesley Village is currently looking for active adult volunteers to share their interests and experience with our residents.

 

As a Wesley Village volunteer, you could: lead an arts and crafts class, play cards and games, call bingo, cook and bake, share your musical talent, lead a discussion group, share your hobbies and interests, help with clerical tasks, lead a walking group, interview residents for life stories articles, start a book club, visit with a resident one-on-one, lead a spiritual program (prayer group, bible study, hymn sing, etc.), assist with special events, or offer your time and talents in any number of ways.

 

Interested adults are invited to apply. Volunteers with evening and/or weekend availability are most-needed at this time. If you can commit to volunteer at least 2 hours a month and would like more information on becoming a Wesley Village volunteer, please contact Vicky Dompierre at 203.944.8279 (vdompierre@umh.org) or visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org. (For website visitors, please scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Volunteer Opportunities.)

 

The Wesley Village Campus is located at 580 Long Hill Avenue in Shelton and includes: Crosby Commons Independent/Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Independent/Assisted Living Community, Lifestyle Transitions Assisted Living/Memory Care Community, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. The campus is owned and operated by UMH, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization.

 

(This is a press release from Wesley Village)

TEAM, Inc. Seeking Volunteers

DERBY - TEAM Inc., is seeking volunteers to assist low-income families and individuals in filing their taxes and claiming refunds owed to them, such as federal Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit that can boost their yearly income by up to 35 percent. 

The VITA program is held at the VITA Clinic at TEAM, Inc. 30 Elizabeth St., Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., and the Milford Senior Center, 9 Jepson Drive. It will operate from January to April 15, 2017. 

 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance offers free preparation of federal and state income tax returns to low-income individuals and families. No experience is necessary.  

All volunteers will receive training appropriate for their position. Volunteers receive the materials for self-study on basic income tax law for federal and state returns.  
In addition, training sessions will take place in January 2017. 

 

To become a VITA volunteer or for more information about the program, call 203-736-5420 ext. 234 or email dstroman@teaminc.org.

 

TEAM Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to strengthen our community by educating, supporting and empowering individuals and families. 

TEAM programs impact the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Naugatuck, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour, Waterbury, and Woodbridge.

 

(This is a press release from TEAM) 

Shelton facility recognizes volunteers

Pictured from left: Carol Osgood (500 hours), Ida Scaife (1,500 hours), Ashley Samorajczyk (100 hours), Helga Kobetitsch (100 hours), Wilhemina D'Amico (100 hours), Virginia Ware (2,500 hours), Norine Myhre (100 hours), Beverly Mulkerin (100 hours), Elizabeth Hoffman (2,000 hours) and Norman Wilson (500 hours). / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Wesley Village honored and recognized its dedicated team of volunteers with a week-long celebration during National Volunteer Week, April 6-12.

The Wesley Village Campus, comprised of Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Independent Living Cottages and Apartments, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center, is proud to partner with more than 200 registered volunteers each year, ranging in age from 14 to 104.

On any given week, 100-120 active volunteers work in each of the three communities on campus, fostering caring relationships with residents, staff, and family members, and enriching the lives of those they serve.
Celebrations for the special week culminated with a volunteer dinner, held at the campus April 9.
Volunteers honored at the dinner included residents, employees, and members of the community, and those who had reached 100 (or more) hours of volunteer service were presented with a special appreciation gift.

For information about volunteer opportunities at Wesley Village, contact Barbara Quinn, Director of Volunteer Services, 203-944-8292 or visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org. 

Wesley Village is located at 580 Long Hill Ave.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.