To the Editor:

Families United in Newtown (FUN), a community recreational program for families in our area with special needs children, sponsored their 6th annual Senior Send-Off meeting on Sunday, June 5, at Dickenson Park. Despite the weather conditions, the group happily gathered under the dry pavilion and ate delicious food shared by all; awarded junior, senior, and volunteer students; and had a fun dance party. We missed a few people due to the rain storm, but we still had a large crowd that enjoyed the end of year celebration together. Thanks to the amazing National Honors Society students that organized the event and managed the activity: Kelsey Miller (FUN leader 2015-2016); Rachel Crosby (FUN co-leader 2015-2016); Samantha Dion (2014-2016 FUN committee member); and Dylan Lew (2015-2016 committee member and 2016-2017 leader).

The following senior students were awarded an Outstanding Service Award: Kelsey Miller (Best Planner and Poodle Skirt, plans to attend Miami University to study elementary education); Rachel Crosby (THE Best Buddy, Quinnipiac University, physical therapy); Samantha Dion (Best Cupcake Maker, UConn, Pre-med); Sarah Mawdsley (Best and Sweatiest Dish Washer, Roger Williams University, architecture); Laura Hornby (Best Smile, Hamilton College); Julia Faxon (Most Likely to be Dancing with Christopher Simon, Tufts University); Sophie Kennen (Best Organizer, Vassar College, sociology and education); Kira Flynn (Will Set Wings of Change, Manhattanville College, special education); Jackie Sgobbo (Holy Cow! Best Ice Cream Scooper, Marist College, business); Jillian Gibney (Best Costume Director Fashionista, University of Kentucky); Sean Runkle (Best Stage Manager and Record Flinger, Hofstra University); Jess Delp (Best Crowd Controller and Ticket Collector, Liberty University); Anika Dholaki (Two Peas in a Pod with Lauren Beier, University of Michigan); Lauren Beier (Two Peas in a Pod with Anika Dholaki); and Ryan Higgins (Best Hair Slick, UConn, pre-dental). Three FUN monetary service awards were given, to Kelsey Miller and Rachel Crosby for their hard work, and Madison Ventresca won the award raffle. Julia Faxon won the Bagel Delight Eunice Award raffle.

The following FUN Committee juniors and volunteers were awarded Outstanding Service Awards: Emily Bell, Elizabeth-Chamiec-Case, Simran Chard, Olivia Hamula, Lauren King, Dylan Lew, Ali Manfredi, Jillian Milano, Megan Nahmias, Emily Neave, Erin Tressler, Haley Williams, Cassidy Keller, Jess Maturo, Lauren Granville, Sophia Albano, Tess Leon-Gambetta, and Kate Luongo, Isabella Durkin, Mjelllma Abazi, Jessica Cruz, Jenna Ciavara, Joe Eckler, Natalie Shaker and Sydney Ohlin.

Many thanks are extended to Newtown Public Schools Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, for announcing the award winners and supporting FUN this year; comfort dog, Maggie, and her handler for providing soft fur for the kids; Newtown Parks and Recreation for a great facility; John Voket for wonderful tunes (DJ); Ferris Farm Creamery's delicious ice cream; Edmund Town Hall movie tickets; and Holy Cow's generous ice cream donations. Many thanks to our FUN families that attend our monthly meetings and give us the precious opportunity of mentoring their amazing children.

Linda and Duane Jones, FUN Founders

in memory of their son, Tyler

16 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook                                                                        June 8, 2016