Donations From Lions Club Help Myriad Causes

Newtown Lions Club has, since its chartering in 1949, always lived by its motto of “We Serve” by supporting and participating in international and state programs, and by contributing to the local community.

Fundraising activities including an annual Classic Mustang Raffle, The Great Pootatuck Duck Race and various community projects. All funds raised go toward charitable efforts. The club does not benefit from these projects, but turns around and makes donations to local groups for their use.

Within the last month Newtown Lions Club has made a number of donations to local groups.

Club member George Arfaras recently presented a check to Michelle Babyak, Relay For Life co-chair, in the amount of $2,500. Newtown Lions were one of the Premier Sponsors of the 2011 Newtown Relay For Life, which was held Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5, at Newtown Youth Academy.

Marie Sturdevant and Marg Studley co-chaired the Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut’s 22nd annual breakfast at The Waterview. The organization offers skilled and supportive care for those with life-limiting illnesses, and its Healing Hearts program supports those coping with the loss of a loved one.

Lions Club members Paul Arneth and Greg Bruno attended the June 15 event (the club had sponsored one of the tables), and gave Mrs Sturdevant and Mrs Studley a donation on behalf of the Lions to Regional Hospice.

The Lions also made a donation to help support Meals On Wheels of Newtown. Alan Jacobs recently presented a check from the Lions to Pat Barrett and Marg Studley, co-presidents of Meals On Wheels.

The organization’s volunteers deliver nutritious meals to persons who are housebound, including elderly people who live alone, and younger people who are temporarily incapacitated. The meals are prepared by Ashlar of Newtown under the guidance of a dietitian and consist of a hot entrée, milk, fruit, and a dessert.

Meals On Wheels receives no town, state, or federal funding. Ashlar provides the meals at cost as a service to the community, and Meals On Wheels and the recipient split that cost.

Also receiving financial support was the staff of Newtown High School’s Yearbook Committee.

Lions Club member Stan Wyslick recently presented a check for $300 to members Kelly Ann Brophy, Natalie Dunn, and Jamie Keating, who were planning to use the money to buy such things as cameras, memory cards and printers, and to pay for publishing costs.

Newtown Lion Ray Keegan recently presented a check in the amount of $1,000 to Ann Piccini, director of Newtown Social Services, to help Ms Piccini’s department provide financial support for scholarships for summer camp.

The Newtown summer camp program provides children with sports, swimming, crafts and, most important, supervision. Camp is underway and will run through August 12, with offerings at Dickinson and Treadwell parks.

Finally, Newtown Lions Club gave a check in the amount of $500 to Newtown Historical Society for its 2011 History Camp. Gordon Mounts presented that check on behalf of the club to Lincoln Sander, president of the historical society.

The camp will celebrate its sixth year this month, with students visiting The Matthew Curtiss House on Main Street (headquarters for the historical society), July 11–15. The camp is for children ages 8 to 10, who step back in time to 1750 and spend some time living the life of a Colonial child.