Stories
<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With lots of spring in their step, four hundred-plus people from the Greater Danbury area and beyond filled the Amber Room Colonnade at 7:30 this morning for RVNAhealth’s 23rd Annual Spring Breakfast. It was a true breakfast of champions and a celebration of a nonprofit that has been an essential part of communities for 106 years! </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">As table hosts poured hot coffee for their guests, the room buzzed with lively conversation and laughter. RVNAhealth Board Member Andrea Gartner skillfully gathered the attention of the enthusiastic crowd, welcoming them and preparing for the morning’s program to commence.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Cantor Penny Kessler began the event with a heartfelt invocation. Senator Julie Kushner, a dedicated Danbury resident deeply aware of RVNAhealth's impact, took the podium next. Senator Kushner presented a special proclamation, recognizing the RVNAhealth Well-Child team for its remarkable achievements. She highlighted the team's vital role in providing medical care, nursing, translation services, and social services to over 500 underserved children and families in Danbury each year as part of the agency's longstanding commitment to Community Health & Wellness programs.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Theresa Santoro, President and CEO of RVNAhealth, thanked the guests for their presence at this significant event. She highlighted the agency's comprehensive continuum of care, which now includes the newly launched Parkinson's Center, as well as dedicated support for dementia and hospice care.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">One of the morning's highlights was gaining a firsthand understanding of the pivotal role RVNAhealth plays in our community. Anne Mead, Director of Family, School, and Community Partnerships, shed light on the significant impact of RVNAhealth's Well-Child Program in the Danbury Public Schools, where hundreds of underserved school-aged children receive medical care and immunizations at no cost. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">After Anne Mead's inspiring speech, Auctioneer Michael McGuirk realtor, kicked off the live auction. Attendees were invited to bid on an array of enticing items, including a summer getaway to the Cape, a once-in-a-lifetime trip to South Africa, an exquisite dinner party, Broadway, golf outings, and Major League Baseball.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Oh, what a morning! Thank you to the many local businesses and individuals who stepped up to make the morning’s raffle (there were more than 60 prizes) and the live auction was hugely successful! </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Funds raised allow RVNAhealth to fulfill its mission of providing a continuum of care when and where it is needed to residents of over 35 Connecticut towns regardless of age, diagnosis, or financial circumstances. Most importantly, it helps the organization make a lasting impact on the lives of those served. Some programs the funds will benefit include providing Well Child Clinics, flu vaccinations, and nursing and rehab care for senior citizens in need of these services. It is truly an inspiring morning and a great way to start the day! Once again, photographer Deborah O’Brien captured the morning beautifully! To view additional photos, check out our Instagram and Facebook pages.Visit RVNAhealth online </span><a href="https://rvnahealth.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">https://rvnahealth.org/</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> to learn more about this important nonprofit. </span></p><p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">In attendance this morning were First Selectmen and Mayors (l to r): New Milford Mayor Pete Bass, Roxbury First Selectman Patrick Roy, Bethel First Selectman and RVNAheath Board Member Dan Carter, Ridgefield First Selectperson Rudy Marconi Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves, and Newtown First Selectman Jeff Capeci. They are shown in the photo with RVNAhealth President and CEO Theresa Santoro.</em></p><p>*All images courtesy Deborah O'Brien Photography. Learn more <a href="https://deborahobrien.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">https://deborahobrien.com/</a></p>
<h4>Sponsor a banner on the New Milford Green</h4><p>Individual and business sponsors are needed to support the New Milford High School senior banners that will be on display on the Green starting in June. 50 banners available! </p><p>Sponsorship is $200 per banner. Sponsor names will be imprinted on both sides of the banner. All proceeds go toward the NMHS Grad Party celebration.</p><p><strong style="color: inherit;">BUSINESS LOGOS:</strong> <em style="color: inherit;">If you have a business logo you would like to display on the banner, please email it to </em><a href="mailto:nmhsgradpartybanners@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(20, 120, 5); background-color: transparent;"><em>nmhsgradpartybanners@gmail.com</em></a><em style="color: inherit;">. High resolution formats are requested: PDF vector or high resolution JPG. Also, please include your business name as part of the filename so that we can identify it! </em> An easy way to tell if an image is a vector format is to <strong style="color: inherit;">increase its size</strong>. If the image becomes blurred or pixelated, it's NOT a vector file. With vector image files, resolution is not an issue. We want your logo to be clearly visible on the banner for <em style="color: inherit;">your</em> benefit.</p><p>Sponsor a banner => <a href="https://givebutter.com/sponsor-banner" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://givebutter.com/sponsor-banner</a></p>
<p>Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust is excited to announce plans for its 9th Field & Forest 5K Trail Run! The race is planned for <span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">Friday, June 7th at the Flanders’ Van Vleck Farm & Nature Sanctuary in Woodbury at 6 PM.</span> All ages and skill levels of runners, joggers, and walkers are welcome to register to enjoy this 3.1 mile run/walk through the trails and rolling hills of the picturesque nature center. After the race, participants will enjoy live music by the popular cover rock band, The Leftovers. Participants and spectators will be able to purchase food from local food trucks, Kraftwich, Little Italy Pizza, and Polar Sweets. Local brewery, Woodbury Brewing Co., will be on site with their delicious brews for sale.</p><p>Online registration is ongoing but will close on June 6th. The fee is $30 for all ages (plus processing fees). Flanders will offer same-day in-person race registration for $40. Awards will be given to top male and female finishers overall as well as in 7 age categories ranging from age under 19 to over 70.</p><p>“We are looking forward to an awesome community event that historically has been a fun evening out for the whole family,” commented Heather Dever who is chairing the race. “We encourage people to register as soon as possible and bring friends and family for this great evening of fitness, food, and fun!” added Heather.</p><p>For full information and to register online go to <a href="https://flandersnaturecenter.org/5k/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://flandersnaturecenter.org/5k/</a></p><p>.The race will begin promptly at 6 PM and will be held rain or shine; however, Flanders reserves the right to cancel in the case of lightning. We are sorry but the event cannot accommodate strollers or pets on the course.</p><p>Race organizers thank their major event sponsors, Showcase Realty, Ion Bank, Aronson Orthodontics, Ameriprise Financial – Dereck J. Packett, Complete Training, Dunkin’ B & Z Management Group, Homes by Heather, Rich & John’s Complete Chimney Service, Surfct.com The Performance Lab, and Strongtown Fitness. We also thank the race committee for giving of their time and talent to this fun community event and important fundraiser for Flanders.</p>
<p>Join us in celebrating the 12th annual Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills! This 36-hour online campaign unites donors, businesses, and local charities to support our community. Celebrate the causes that matter most to you!</p><p>Launched in 2013 by Connecticut Community Foundation and presenting sponsor Ion Bank Foundation, Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills has raised $15 million since its inception and has supported hundreds of local nonprofit organizations.</p><p>View participating organizations <a href="https://www.givelocalccf.org/search" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.givelocalccf.org/search</a></p><p>Thanks to generous sponsors as well as funds from the Foundation, nonprofits will earn bonus dollars for every donor they secure and will have an opportunity to vie for thousands of dollars in cash prizes! All of this adds to the fun and excitement while raising essential funds for the work of our local nonprofits.</p><p>Learn more about Give Local <a href="https://www.givelocalccf.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.givelocalccf.org/</a></p><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xhq7lkK9_Fk?showinfo=0"></iframe><p><br></p>
<p><strong>Car Show on April 27 from 11am to 3pm at New Milford High School</strong></p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Show Car Admission</em></p><p>This ticket includes 1 parking space. If you'd like to park with a specific car club or group, please arrive together.</p><p>$20.00</p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Show Car Admission- NMHS Student</em></p><p>This ticket includes 1 parking space. Must show student ID when arrive. If you plan to park with a group of friends or car clubs, please arrive together.</p><p>$15.00</p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Car Clubs</em></p><p>This ticket includes 1 booth and 2 show car spaces.</p><p>$100.00</p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Food Trucks</em></p><p>Must have a <a href="https://hvhdct.gov/environmental-health/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(20, 120, 5); background-color: transparent;">Housatonic Valley Health District permit</a> to participate in this event. Please send a copy of your permit to <a href="mailto:nmhsgradparty@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(20, 120, 5); background-color: transparent;">nmhsgradparty@gmail.com</a></p><p>$100.00</p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Vendor Registration</em></p><p>Auto-related vendors, please.</p><p>$100.00</p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Spectator Admission- FREE</em></p><p>(donations are always appreciated; you can make a $5 donation <a href="https://tickets.thefoat.com/NMHSGradpartyCarshow/New+Milford+High+School+Grad+Party+Car+Show+2024/tickets/id-2LQauH6s5sma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>9th Annual Wheels For Wheels Fundraiser Car Show on Saturday, May 4 from 12–4PM at John Pettibone Community Center</p><p>All are welcome: Cars, Trucks, Bikes, etc. Pets too!</p><p>$20 Suggested Donation</p><p>The goal of Wheels for Wheels is to uplift and mobilize the disabled community.</p><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L_BWww099ls?showinfo=0"></iframe><p><br></p><p>You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks as always, but we’d love it if you could support our awesome and giving food and drink vendors. Right from the get-go, Kash & Liv will have their homemade iced coffees and teas ready for you. Plus, John’s serving up his classic hot dogs, chips, and drinks. Don’t miss “Rice to Meat You” for some American favorites like smash burgers, chicken fingers, and fries – and let’s not forget their amazing Dominican rice bowls and empanadas that are just out of this world. And of course, it wouldn’t be the same without Cookie Cloud 9 and their irresistible buckets of chocolate chip cookies that just melt in your mouth.</p><p>Learn more <a href="https://newmilford-chamber.com/events/21072" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">https://newmilford-chamber.com/events/21072/</a></p>
<p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p>DANBURY, Connecticut — <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Western Connecticut State University</a> will celebrate its recent <a href="https://news.wcsu.edu/wcsu-designated-a-hispanic-serving-institution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">designation</a> as a Hispanic-Serving Institution with an afternoon of events on Thursday, April 25, that pay tribute to the heritage of the community the university serves. The festivities will take place at the Berkshire Hall lobby and patio on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury, and will be free and open to the public. The first 150 attendees will receive an HSI T-shirt and everyone who attends will be entered in a raffle for some WCSU Swag. RSVP at <a href="https://wcsutickets.regfox.com/wcsu-hsi-designation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wcsutickets.regfox.com/wcsu-hsi-designation</a>. </p><p><strong>Planned events include:</strong></p><p>3:30 p.m. – Welcome by WCSU Pre-Collegiate & Access Programs Associate Director Jessica Coronel, and Gabriela Perez, a graduating senior majoring in Anthropology/Sociology and Psychology with a minor in Multicultural Studies. Perez’s senior thesis for the Anthropology/Sociology major is an ethnographic study focusing on what makes a quality HSI. She is interviewing students and faculty, and will be summarizing her findings and personal experiences of the difference that intentional HSI planning and development can make in the lives of Hispanic students.</p><p>3:45 p.m. – Celebration of Puerto Rican faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrassCityBomba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brass City Bomba</a></p><p>4:15 p.m. – Celebration of Brazilian faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/connecticutcapoeira/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Benção Capoeira</a></p><p>4:30 p.m. – Lobo Awards Ceremony, presented by WCSU Interim President Dr. Manohar Singh and Chair of the Department of Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology Dr. Carina Bandhauer. Recipients are: Lobo Leadership Award – Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves; Lobo Student Award – Najely A. Clavijo; Lobo Faculty/Staff Award – WCSU Director of Financial Aid & Student Employment Melissa Stephens; Lobo Alumni Awards – Carolina Bortolleto and Camila Bortolleto</p><p>5:10 p.m. – Celebration of Mexican faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/trio.lospajaros/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trio Los Pájaros</a> – Mariachi Music</p><p>5:45 p.m. – Celebration of Ecuadorian faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by dancers from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CentroCivicoEcuatoriano/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ecuadorian Civic Center of Greater Danbury</a></p><p>6 p.m. – Closing</p><p><span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">In addition to the entertainment, WCSU’s Sodexo dining services will provide an assortment of food to celebrate the occasion in style. Among the offerings will be an aguas frescas station, and tortilla and plantain chips with assorted dips including jalapeno cheese sauce, pico de gallo, salsa, guacamole and hot sauce. A buffet will feature grilled chicken asada, jasmine rice and a garden salad, and there will be a churro station for dessert — all at no cost to celebration participants.</span></p><p>For more information, contact WCSU Communications and Marketing at <a href="mailto:pr@wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pr@wcsu.edu</a>. </p>