The Newtown Chamber of Commerce has developed, along with the Town of Newtown, a brochure to help save lives. The cooperative effort is led by Jennifer Crane, director of the Center for Support and Wellness; and Scott Anders, incoming president of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce.

It is a reference of local, trusted, community resources to which residents can refer in times of need, when dealing with critical issues such as domestic violence, drug or opioid abuse, alcohol abuse, or mental health issues. The brochure will provide townspeople with a reliable tool that can be referenced when help is needed.

An initial distribution of approximately 10,000 mailings will be sent out to all households in Newtown in January, funded by Chamber members. Sponsors will have extra copies of the brochures to distribute to employees, and copies to provide to their clients. Members who are not sponsors will be able to purchase copies for distribution.

“We plan a major promotional effort to make the community aware of this resource and to look for it in their mailboxes so they don’t inadvertently discard it,” said Mr Anders. “One of the things that makes a community special is how its residents and businesses do their best to support and look out for each other. You can see this reflected in the many organizations in Newtown that provide important services to help those in need.

“That said, the challenge for many when in a conversation with a customer or a neighbor,” said Mr Anders, “is to be confident we have a good number or website to offer when a need for help is revealed. In that critical moment when someone recognizes a need, most of us don’t know where to start. This Need Help brochure was created to solve that problem. With distribution of this resource, everyone in Newtown will have a trusted reference at their fingertips. It is not an exaggeration to say we expect this brochure to help save lives.”

Sponsors will be listed on the back of the brochure, and there will be a link to each website on the Center for Support and Wellness website.

Sponsorships are still available. A major sponsorship can be had for a $500 donation and a regular sponsorship for $200. Major sponsors will have a prominent place on the brochure and website and will be mentioned in initial and ongoing promotional efforts.

Sponsorship checks should be made payable to The Newtown Chamber of Commerce and mailed to Chamber offices at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.