Scott Anders, President of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, was joined by local officials reminding residents that a brand new household resource guide will be hitting every residential mailbox in the coming days.

The envelope contains a “Need Help” brochure that is a health initiative of the town and the Newtown Chamber of Commerce.

“This mailing is being sent to all households in Newtown and is completely funded by our chamber member sponsors,” said Mr Anders in a recent letter to The Newtown Bee. “Its purpose is to provide each resident with key contact information about your local, trusted resources for any issue involving medical needs, mental health, domestic violence, or alcohol and drug abuse."

In addition to resource contact info, the brochure includes 24/7 hotlines if immediate help is required.

“Even though this is from the town and sent by postal permit, please don’t be tempted to toss this as ‘junk mail’ before opening,” Mr Anders said.

Officials including First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and Health District Director Donna Culbert are urging residents to keep an eye out for an envelope with the annotation “Need Help.”

Mr Rosenthal extended his personal thanks to everyone who worked hard on this first-of-its-kind public resource and to Chamber members that supported it financially.

“I think it will be a great resource to our residents and something they could easily refer to should the need arise,” the first selectman said.

Newtown Savings Bank is among the major sponsors.

Bank CEO Ken Weinstein remarked, “We are very pleased to support this important initiative. We view this investment as doing our part to help ensure that local residents know where to get help quickly and effectively when there is a need. We applaud the Chamber for its leadership in this and other efforts.”

Mr Anders is hoping every household will consider tacking the resource guide to the family bulletin board or refrigerator and suggests residents even “take a photo to keep the information handy on your phone.”

“If and when a crisis does happen or a friend or co-worker is in need, instead of having to Google for answers, you will now have a robust resource at your fingertips,” the Chamber president added.

The brochure contains a list of the many chamber sponsors who helped underwrite this project, as well as its major community sponsors, NSB, Dental Associates, and the Newtown Health Department.

“Please visit any of our sponsors listed to thank them for their support and to obtain an additional brochure if needed,” Mr Anders said. Copies may also be obtained while they last from the Chamber — call 203-426-2695.