C.H. Booth Library’s Newtown Nonprofit Council (NNC) held its virtual monthly meeting Tuesday, September 20 to discuss news and upcoming events from local organizations.

The conference was led by Reference Librarian Lily MacHugh, who transitioned as the council’s new moderator earlier this summer.

Newtown resident Katherine Simpson kicked off the conversation by bringing up a recurring issue she has faced with volunteers trying to use Get Connected, Newtown! — the council’s volunteer hub.

She is finding that people want to sign up for events without having to make an account on the website.

“We want their volunteer help,” Simpson said.

MacHugh said she would look into an alternative option for those who do not want to register on the site but that still want to volunteer. She would also investigate how to get the nonprofits access to e-mail blasting their supporters, called “fans” on the website.

MacHugh went on to report that when looking at upcoming events listed on the Get Connected site, “September is very light” with only one event.

She updated the group about how the number of people using the site has been having “quite a bit” of a downward trajectory since April 2022. It is now in the single digits for volunteer sign-ups.

Nonprofit News

Newtown resident John Boccuzzi, Sr, represented the nonprofit group Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) during the meeting. He shared that its chore service program has been “very busy.”

FONS is also helping with two requests to have medical transportation paid for and the group hopes to help others.

“We know the need is out there,” Boccuzzi said.

Meanwhile, the organization is continuing to push for a fixed bus route in Newtown, affordable housing at Fairfield Hills Campus, and is having ongoing discussions with Nuvance Health about bringing equitable health care to the region.

He then told the council, “We have some fun things coming up.”

Two events in particular he highlighted were the social gathering at Prime Pub on September 28, and Oktoberfest at NewSylum Brewing Company October 5. For the latter there will be an accordion player performing live.

Simpson represented Newtown Congregational Church and shared that they will be having their annual Mississippi BBQ & Shrimp Boil on October 22. There will be indoor dining and take-out options.

“Last year we sold out,” she said.

Simpson also spoke on behalf of Newtown Lions Club and mentioned that the organization will have a table at the Health Fair at Newtown Community Center on September 24.

“We will be doing free eye screenings,” she said.

On Veterans Day, the Newtown Lions Club will have its Fourth Annual Free Dental Clinic, and on October 22 it will have its Mustang Drawing event in front of Edmond Town Hall.

EverWonder Children’s Museum representative Niki Giordano was the last one to share news about their organization during the NNC meeting. She explained that EverWonder has been very busy during the summer and will be closed next week, September 25 to October 1, to clean and paint the space.

Next month, on October 29, they will have their annual Spooktacular event with three time slots, then a “BooBash” event that evening.

Before the meeting ended, Simpson asked Giordano what EverWonder’s “secret” was to having so much success with volunteer sign-ups through the Get Connected website.

Giordano answered that they do not use any other way for people to sign up to volunteer, and they have established a connection with Newtown High School to have students informed about volunteer opportunities with EverWonder.

NNC now meets virtually on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 am.

People with questions or interest in joining the upcoming NNC meetings can contact MacHugh at lmachugh@chboothlibrary.org.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.