The following letter has been received for publication:

Dear Newtown:

I am writing this letter in regard to my father Dean Snellback, who recently suffered a loss of all his belongings in an apartment fire this past Thursday, September 1.

I wanted to reach as many as possible with the purpose of personally thanking each and every one of you for the overwhelming show of support and kindness. My father recently moved into his New Milford apartment after being a 30-year Newtown resident, and he did not have a chance to establish insurance coverage before a fire erupted in his new home.

While the circumstance is tragic my father was lucky enough to not have been home at the time of the fire. However, what happened next served to solidify my pride in my hometown and I write this letter to express my unfettered gratitude on behalf of the Snellback family. My father loves this town and raised myself and my brother here where we both graduated from the Newtown school system.

He was an active member of Trinity Church for many years and in his retirement enjoys performing at many local senior living facilities, most frequently Maplewood. For someone who loves and supports his community it has been incredibly comforting for my father and all of us to experience the turn-out we did at the recent musical beneficiary events at the multiple places he performs in his free time.

While we appreciate everything, if anyone wishes to help support my father you can find his go fund me at gofund.me/fb5039dd and Cafe 1840 will be hosting a fundraiser and open mic for Dean on September 20 starting at 6:30 pm.

You can follow their Facebook page for more details. Please join us for a night of hope and support for Dean Snellback, and The BluesyLand Band.

With sincere gratitude,

Leigh Gocklin (Dean’s daughter)

New Milford