Southbury Needy Fund Thanks Our Wonderful Community

Our Southbury Police Department took their annual Toy Drive virtual this year, collecting gifts from an on-line wishlist and delivering them to our sorting sites. They also kept their in-station drop off site for people shopping in town and those who wanted to make monetary donations.

The Heritage Village Women's Club, unable to hold its Annual Giving Tree, encouraged donations, which helped fund the Senior Holiday Program and purchase gifts for the children. Special thanks to the Heritage Village Stitch & Chat Club and the Strips & Squares Quilt Club, who donated their lovely handmade items to the children and seniors.

The fantastic members of the Southbury Women's Club held their 5K Turkey Trot online this year, and made another generous contribution from its proceeds. This annual event gives enormous support to the Needy Fund and Southbury's Food and Fuel Bank.

The SVFA Women's Auxiliary, Southbury Homemakers, Region 15 BAS Program, Tribury Rotary Club, Southbury Town employees, Southbury Juniorettes and Thanksgiving Day Holiday Meal Fund all contributed generously as well, giving yet another year of their wonderful support.

Our community congregations gave unstintingly as well, including Sacred Heart Church and the Mustard Seed Fund, the United Church of Christ, St. James Lutheran Church, Church of the Epiphany and The Upper Room, South Britain Congregational Church, Calvary Church and Cornerstone Assembly of God.

The Knit Wits of South Britain Congregational Church donated hand-knitted sweaters, hats, and scarves, plus a check to purchase additional clothing.

Bonnie Loiseau joined by fellow-stitchers Anne Westerman, Pat Earhart and Linda Langley from the United Church of Christ's Women's Fellowship, provided each child on our list with a homemade mask appropriate to their age.

A big thank you goes out to all of the students, faculty, and staff at Pomperaug, Gainfield, Long Meadow and Middlebury Elementary schools, to Rochambeau and Memorial Middle Schools and to Pomperaug High School, including the PHS Student Connect Interact Club and Pomperaug Young Christians Club, for all of their enthusiastic support.

Special appreciation to Jenna Landmon who has spearheaded the PHS toy drive to help the Southbury Needy Fund over the past three years. Good luck in college Jenna!

Julia Vela, a member of Girl Scout Troop 64101, began a new drive for the Southbury Needy Fund this year. She asked community members to drop off new, warm clothing for children of all ages to help us have enough fleeces, sweats, and pajamas for every child. She coordinated drop off times, helped us sort her generous donations, and even went shopping for specific items we needed with donated gift cards. The PHS Young Christians Club has committed to carrying on this drive for future years.

Southbury’s businesses have been exceptionally generous, including K.B. Corporation, Body Physics, Pediatric Dental Associates, T.J. Maxx, Kennedy Wealth and Tax Management, William Raveis R.E., Coldwell Banker R.E., The Gap, K&W Construction, Munson Lovetere, Rustic Charm of Woodbury, S & S Asphalt Paving, Southbury Stone and Supply, Heads Up Hair Salon, H.I. Stone and Son, Premier Financial Services, Newbury Place, Franchise Source Brand, Wells Fargo, Union Savings Bank, and Whiskers Cat Rescue.

In addition, Mary Adzima of Coldwell Banker, partnered with Allison Mahr and Karla Urban at The Bakery to sponsor children for the annual Gift Program and to display stockings on the Bakery’s wall honoring customers who donate to the year-round program.

Special gratitude goes to The Watermark at East Hill and The Lutheran Home, and to the Hine Family of Hine Brothers Inc., for their ongoing traditions of amazing year-round support.

Our story would not be complete without Ed Wildman, Southbury’s “Secret Santa” who has volunteered with the Police Toy Drive from the start, and for decades now has been collecting and redeeming bottles and cans, transforming the proceeds into gifts for the children and additional cash donations to the Needy Fund. Thank you, Ed, and thank you to all the businesses and individuals who have donated over 100,000 bottles and cans over the years!

Lastly, let us thank our shoppers, sorters, and sponsors, who took time from busy schedules to shop for special items to fill in gaps; who showed up to sort and bag and find the right child for each toy, book, or clothing; or who outfitted all the items on a child’s or family’s list. So many have helped us through the years, becoming friends along the way, and each year welcoming new volunteers with open arms.

The Pandemic changed so many things but not the Southbury Community's generosity! With your help, we made a brighter Holiday Season for 148 children in 69 families this year. The outpouring from Community Members, Local Businesses, Churches, Schools, Family/Friend Groups, and Individuals, has been truly humbling.

We appreciate each and every one of you!

~ Ellen, Kathleen, Sharon, Sandy, and Deborah.

The Southbury Needy Fund, Inc. is a nonprofit organization established in 1978 to provide Christmas gifts to needy children in the town of Southbury. Since then, we have become a year-round fund assisting Southbury families and seniors referred to us by the Social Services Department. We help our neighbors bridge the gap on emergency needs such as medical or housing expenses, car, appliances, or home repairs, and fees for school trips and Parks and Recreation programs.

Our year-round volunteer staff are Kathleen Hennessy, Ellen Baczeski, Sharon Lieber and Sandy Saren. Deborah Brody assists with publicity. Dan Szabo designed and supports our dedicated website.

Find us at http://southburyneedyfund.org.

And on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sbyneedy/.