Helping The Homeless

To the Editor:

Connecticut homelessness is an issue our community continually overlooks. Thousands of teens and children are reported runaways and become homeless every year. The Connecticut Youth Continuum in New Haven is a nonprofit organization which provides shelter, food, and necessities to homeless youth from across our state. The program is funded by grants, fundraising, and donations, however their DCF funding has been cut by eight percent and they have lost their grant to purchase cleaning supplies.

I recently organized a donation for the youth continuum, and I want to personally thank Don Bates and the staff at Drug Center Pharmacy in Newtown for their generous donation. When I asked Don if he was willing to contribute anything to the program, he gave without second thought. His overwhelming contribution will surely make a difference in the lives of homeless youth across our state.

I have known Don Bates and worked at Drug Center Pharmacy for the past five years — so I am not completely surprised by his charitable donation. The Bates and Drug Center family are constantly donating to benefit our society. I am proud to be part of such a generous organization and equally proud to support a local business that continually supports our community.

For more information on how you can donate to the Connecticut Youth Continuum, please visit www.youthcontinuum.org. If you’d like to support local business, please visit Newtown Drug Center Pharmacy, located on Church Hill Road next to the Newtown Hardware Store.

Thank you for your support, and sincere thanks to Don Bates and my friends at Drug Center Pharmacy.

Sincerely,

Kelsey D. Cantore

Quinnipiac University Class of 2011

19 Horseshoe Ridge Road, Sandy Hook                    April 3, 2010