To the Editor:

The fall season brings a whirlwind of activities and events from the many charitable organizations in Newtown. It is a reminder of one of the things that makes our community a terrific place in which to live - the time and effort people dedicate to helping others.

The Newtown Scholarship Association is one of those worthwhile causes and the group recently hosted a Beer, Bourbon & Barbecue fundraising event at Michael's at the Grove in Bethel. On behalf of the NSA Board of Governors and our scholarship recipients, I'd like to pass along a few words of appreciation.

Our sponsors once again invested in Newtown's youth through their financial support - Nanavaty, Nanavaty & Davenport, Interactive Brokers, Bogdan Family Dentistry, Caldwell & Walsh, Ingersoll Automotive, The Newtown Bee, Union Savings Bank, and Clean Cut Lawn & Landscape. Local organizations also donated product and in-kind services in order to make the evening possible - Fairfield Craft Ales, Ferris Acres Creamery, Half Full Brewery, Hartley & Parker, Litchfield Distillery, Southbury Printing Centre, and Two Roads Brewing Company.

In addition, I'd like to thank the 200 or so attendees who came out on a Saturday night for a fun evening with good friends, food, music and dancing. Over the 79 years of its existence, the Newtown Scholarship Association has been allowed to pursue its mission through the generosity and support of individuals from our community. This year NSA will award $435,000 in need-based scholarships to over 180 students as they pursue their college careers. This would never be possible without the generosity that was on display from Newtowners last Saturday evening.

Thanks very much,

Ted Kohler

President, Newtown Scholarship Association

PO Box 302, Newtown                September 26, 2016