Newtown Fund Begins

Holiday Basket Drive

The Newtown Fund has launched its annual Holiday Basket Project. Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up to adopt a family that will receive gifts and food baskets on Delivery Day, December 17.

Donations also are welcome, as is help on Delivery Day itself. Linda Bates of Stockwell & Bates is chairperson of this year’s event.

Newtown’s Social Services Department provides information about the needs of families and individuals that are to be the recipients of the holiday baskets. The recipients’ names are kept strictly confidential.

Rick Mazzariella, who is in charge of adopting out the families this year, has already received information on 43 families from Social Services. Last year 103 families were taken care of at Christmas time and it is expected to have the same or more this year.

Thousands of individuals and families have been helped over the years since a group of local residents including the late Joseph P. Chase organized the first Christmas Basket project more than 45 years ago.

Letters have been sent to those who “adopted” families or donated to the program last year. Anyone who is interested in adopting or donating gifts should contact Rick Mozzarella at 270-9190. New clothing, blankets, toys, and other items are needed.

Anyone who is willing to serve as a driver to deliver the baskets on Delivery Day, December 17, or to otherwise help out that day, may call Linda Bates at 270-9312.

The Newtown Junior Woman’s Club will be holding its Tag-A-Gift program for children in conjunction with the Holiday Basket project. Both the Girl and Boy Scouts help with the baskets every year and their dedication and service is immeasurable, according to the Newtown Fund coordinators.

All donated food and other items are to dropped off at Sandy Hook School before 9 am on Delivery Day. Deliveries will begin at noon.

Tax deductible contributions, payable to The Newtown Fund, may be sent to: The Newtown Fund, PO Box 641, Newtown CT 06470-0641.