Newtown’s Helping Hands —

Holiday Basket Program Is Newtown Fund’s Premier Activity

By John Voket

Of course there is a Santa Claus.

Thanks to the Newtown Fund, one of the community’s leading philanthropic organizations, this holiday season you can play the role of that magical Christmas hero without sliding down a single chimney. Whether you, your family, your company, or service group “adopt” one of the dozens of local families who are facing the holidays in dire financial straits, or play Santa by delivering donations or one of the Newtown Fund holiday gift baskets, there’s plenty to do and a short time in which to do it.

According to Anne Ragusa, a coordinator for the annual holiday activity, Santa’s helpers from across the community have been coming out to brighten the lives of local families for more than 40 years. And this year, the fund only has until December 17 to complete its appointed rounds.

“The Newtown Fund has identified 83 Newtown families that would otherwise go without a holiday celebration this year,” Ms Ragusa explained. With only two weeks left to the program, she is depending on the goodwill of Newtown Neighbors who want to get into the “Holiday Spirit” by participating in the Holiday Basket Program.

The first way is by “adopting” a needy family and making a commitment to provide nonperishable food items for a holiday meal for the family as well as gifts for each family member. The second is by making a financial contribution to the Newtown Fund. The third is by making donations of food, new clothing, and new toys. Finally, members of the community can volunteer to deliver the holiday baskets to the adopted families on the morning of December 18.

According to Newtown Fund President Doreen Kostecki, on that Saturday morning, Sandy Hook Elementary School will be transformed into a distribution center for the drop off and delivery of food and gifts for all of the adopted families. But, she said, a communitywide effort is necessary to “adopt” families and to get the baskets to the recipients.

“We have had a tremendous outpouring of support from the community,” Ms Kostecki said. “Even the Park and Rec basketball league has agreed to reschedule their Saturday morning game on the 18th so that we can use Sandy Hook School for this project.”

Many organizations throughout the town have pledged volunteers to assist with the distribution of the baskets on “Depot Day.” Among the volunteers are the staffs and students from most of the schools in town, church groups, Girl and Boy Scouts, businesses, and private individuals and families.

While the Newtown Fund provides the volunteer organization and acts as a conduit through which charitable donations flow, Ms Kostecki said the organization depends increasingly on the Newtown Social Services staff to help identify individuals and families who need the most support.

“We don’t determine who will receive support,” she said. “Ann [Piccini] and JoAnne [Klopfenstein] at Social Services know these families and are in charge of qualifying them. Then they do an analysis of their needs and help suggest the items for their gift baskets.”

Ms Kostecki and her fellow Newtown Fund volunteers know that the holiday gifts are most important for children and young people, but in recent years, she has also seen an increasing number of seniors from the community who are in need.

“We’re expecting about 90 singles or families to participate, but people should know there are a lot of elderly who are forced to sacrifice during these holidays and during the winter months,” she said.

Members of the Newtown Fund typically meet three to four times each year, with the first annual organizational meeting taking place in September. That meeting gives the organization’s board a chance to get reacquainted with their volunteers, and also serves as a launching point for the subsequent holiday basket activity.

“The Newtown Fund is run by a board of 10 to 12 volunteers whose duties are delegated to them,” she said. The subcommittees of volunteers are headed up by board members who take on specific distribution responsibilities depending on the potential recipient individual’s or family’s situation.

“Over the years we’ve helped displaced homeowners, contributed fuel assistance, even made insurance payments when people were at risk of having their family’s coverage run out,” Ms Kostecki said. “On a couple of occasions we’ve been asked to help a disabled person obtain an important piece of equipment for their health care.”

She said throughout the year, the Newtown Fund has been the recipient of donations of all sizes from local businesses, service groups, and residents.

“The Newtown Fund is here for everyone in town, if and when they may need it,” Ms Kostecki said. “If tragedy strikes, people should immediately get in touch with Social Services, and then if we can provide assistance, they will let us know and we will be there to help.”

Anyone would like to help deliver holiday baskets should come to Sandy Hook School on Saturday, December 18, at 11 am. Only adults may participate in the delivery of the baskets.

“We’re asking that volunteers do not bring children along if they want to participate in the delivery activities,” Ms Ragusa said.

To adopt a family, she asks readers to contact Rick Mazzariello at 270-9190.

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

Any family wishing to be adopted should contact Newtown Social Services at 270-4330.