<p><em style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">GIRL SCOUTS OF CONNECTICUT OFFERS HOLIDAY DISCOUNT FOR EARLY SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION-</em></p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">(</span><strong style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Hartford, Connecticut</strong><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">) –&nbsp;</span><em style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">November 21, 2024</em><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">&nbsp;–Girl Scouts have always been a force of nature and now, families can give their favorite troop member an early taste of outdoor adventure by gifting them a weeklong summer camp experience this holiday season. Specifically, Girl Scouts of Connecticut (GSOFCT) is offering a $75 per week discount to any of its five summer camps for people who register between December 4th, 2024 and April 15, 2025. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"> </span>“Girl Scouts wouldn't be Girl Scouts without the great outdoors - it’s one of our four primary pillars where girls make new friends, build campfires and hike trails,” said <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Elicia Pegues Spearman, Esq., chief executive officer at Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “Our annual holiday discount program is a fantastic</span> opportunity for parents, grandparents and other family members to ‘gift’ a fun and fulfilling week of camp to their excited outdoor enthusiast.”</p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Spearman notes that the $75 discount applies to all four day camps, which include </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Camp An-Se-Ox in Oxford, Camp Aspetuck in Weston, Camp Clatter Valley in New Milford and Camp Merrie-Wood in Manchester, as well as the organization’s overnight camp- Camp Laurel in Lebanon. Typical prices range from $385 to $625 per week.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Additionally, GSOFCT offers a special Adventure Camp, which offers girls entering 6th to 12th grade </span>an immersive week of learning and exciting adventures, including climbing, canoeing and day trips. Costs range from $1,275 to $1,675 per week.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">As an extra bonus, </span>early registrants will also receive an official Girl Scouts water bottle and custom stickers.</p><p>“All of our summer camps provide a unique variety of engaging camp activities that allow our Girl Scouts to expand their horizons, while enjoying the adventure of learning and connecting with the world around them,” adds Spearman. </p><p>GSOFCT summer properties are also available to rent for private or corporate functions.</p><p>For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.gsofct.org/en/programs/camp-and-outdoors/summer-camps.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.gsofct.org/en/programs/camp-and-outdoors/summer-camps.html</a>.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Girl Scouts of Connecticut is offering a $75 discount for each week of summer camp between December 4, 2204 and April 15, 2025 as part of its annual holiday program, a great gift idea for families and friends. </span></p><p><em style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Credit: Girl Scouts of Connecticut</em></p>

<p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">-GIFTS OF LOVE ATTRACTS 90 ATTENDEES TO SPEAKEASY FUNDRAISING EVENT-</em></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">(AVON, CONN)&nbsp;</strong><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">–&nbsp;</span><em style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">October 30, 2024 –</em><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">&nbsp;If Farmington Valley looked like an old Hollywood movie set, it wasn’t a new production, but rather, a “Roaring 20’s” costume ball hosted by </span><a href="http://www.giftsoflovect.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gifts of Love</a><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">, </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">a </span>non-profit organization that provides food, clothing and housewares to Connecticut individuals and families facing a financial crisis. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The “Club 35” fundraising event, which took place on Friday, October 25, 2024 at Farmington Gardens, attracted 90 registrants, and ten sponsors, raising money that </span><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">directly helps </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">residents in over 40 towns with vital, basic needs. </span></p><p>“With the monies raised from this successful event, combined with the continuous goodwill of Connecticut residents, we know that we’ll help our clients get through the upcoming winter season warm and well-fed,” said Lisa Gray, Executive Director of Gifts of Love. “We look forward to hosting more fun-themed events in the coming months.”</p><p>Gray notes that another highly anticipated fundraiser is the non-profit’s spring golf tournament each May with this year’s event netting revenues close to $70,000.</p><p>Sponsors included Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Carmon Funeral Homes, Liberty Bank, and People’s Bank <span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">and attendees </span>enjoyed a roaming magician, tarot card reader, caricaturist, samples from Litchfield Distillery, wine pull and specialty cocktails. </p><p>A major highlight of the event was a live auction emceed by Eric Hummel of Hummel Bros Inc. with such items as a $200 dinner voucher at Millwright’s Restaurant, tickets to the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, dinner for 8 people from New England Pasta Company, and a private wine class for up to 20 guests. Attendees also enjoyed live entertainment by the Simsbury High School Jazz Band.</p><p>Gifts of Love services more than 40 towns across Connecticut by offering a fully-stocked grocery pantry consisting of non-perishable items, paper goods, personal hygiene items, meats, and&nbsp;fresh produce and dairy products, a housewares and small appliances pantry and a clothing boutique, where clients can come and shop once a month. The organization has locations in Avon and in Hartford to make it easy for those in need to access necessary goods and services. It is also on the front lines of fighting childhood hunger with its Weekend Food Backpack Program, during which it distributes backpacks stuffed with easy-to-prepare meals and drinks to more than 300 students each week who are receiving free or reduced-cost lunches throughout the school year.</p><p>Gray notes that Connecticut residents who could not attend the “Roaring 20’s” event can still help the organization on Giving Tuesday and through its end-of-year appeal. To donate, please visit <a href="http://www.giftsoflove.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.giftsoflove.org</a>. </p><p><em>Photo Credit: Gifts of Love</em></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>The Votes are In and Girl Scout Cookies Always Win!</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(CONNECTICUT) – </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">October 30, 2024 </em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">– </span>No matter what your political party affiliation, all people can agree that Girl Scout Cookies get the top vote as the tastiest treat! Now, during Election Week, <a href="http://www.gsofct.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Girl Scouts of Connecticut</a> (GSOFCT) are giving people a delicious reason to come out to the polls and local businesses by hosting cookie booths at various voting locations throughout the state. More than 300 booths will be available from Friday, November 1– Sunday, November 10, 2024. </p><p><br></p><p>“The Girl Scout Cookie Program is our most popular initiative to date and the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world,” said Elicia Pegues Spearman, CEO of Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “What’s more, when consumers purchase the delicious cookies from a Girl Scout, they’re also giving back to their community since many troops put a portion of their cookie proceeds toward service projects in their local regions.”</p><p>The cookie varieties available during the Election Week program include Thin Mints®, Samoas®, Tagalongs®, Do-si-dos®, Trefoils®, Lemon-Ups®, S’mores® Adventurefuls® and Girl Scout S’mores®. All cookies are $6 per package.</p><p>Girl Scouts are participating in Election Week cookie sales in a variety of ways, including direct sales to friends and family, walking about their neighborhood with their troop and in-person cookie booths. For a listing of booths, please visit: <a href="http://www.gsofct.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.gsofct.org</a>. </p><p>Additionally, many Girl Scouts host virtual booths on social media as an engaging way to reach more customers. Girls, with adult supervision, can create a social media event or schedule a live stream on Facebook or Instagram and invite potential customers through social media, email, and text.</p><p>“The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls develop the five distinct skills of goal setting, decision making, business ethics, managing money, and people skills,” </p><p>adds Spearman. “In addition, all proceeds from cookie sales stay in Connecticut to fund GSOFCT programming, leadership development opportunities, and trainings for girls and adults throughout the state.”</p><p>Last season which ended in April, GSOFCT sold more than 1.7million packages of cookies.</p><p>Many Girl Scouts are also participating in GSOFCT’s Gift of Caring Service Project, Cookies for Heroes in which customers can purchase packages of cookies, which are then delivered to active military men and women, veterans, and local community heroes. Last year, over 125,000 packages of cookies were sold for this cause.</p><p>To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit <a href="http://www.gsofct.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.gsofct.org</a>. </p>

<p><em>October 30, 2024</em> –According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 8.1 million retired veterans over the age of 65. Many of these patriotic heroes, having survived wars, now need to endure the aging process and are finding that they need help in staying safe within their own homes. <a href="http://www.assistedlivingct.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Assisted Living Services</a>, an award-winning non-medical homecare agency in Connecticut, is assisting military service personnel and their families access the maximum benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during National Caregivers Month and Veterans Day<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> in November.</span></p><p>“Along with the work and stress of ensuring that aging loved ones are receiving the best possible care at home, families are also faced with the challenge of figuring out how to pay for quality, in-home senior care,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA and COO of family-owned Assisted Living Services, Inc. “Many veteran families come to us not knowing that they qualify for VA coverage, but after some education and research on our part, they discover that they do, which offers much financial relief!” </p><p>D’Aquila emphasizes that Veterans Affairs offers two key programs that can help</p><p>cover the cost of home care for veterans and their spouses:</p><p><strong>Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Program</strong>: This program provides a monthly stipend to veterans and their spouses who meet specific income, asset and service criteria. The funds can be used for non-medical home care services, helping veterans</p><p>access care without using up personal savings.</p><p><strong>VA-Sponsored Home Care</strong>: This program is available for veterans who may have been injured during service or meet certain income qualifications. Unlike the Aid and Attendance Pension, where the funds go to the veteran, VA-sponsored home care allows agencies to bill the VA directly for services. This often results in higher reimbursement rates, allowing for more comprehensive care.</p><p>D'Aquila notes that many veterans also qualify for The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE), a state-specific Medicaid waiver program administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS), designed for seniors with limited income and assets who require home care services. To qualify, individuals must meet certain criteria based on income, assets, age, and health conditions. The CHCPE covers a wide range of services, including personal care assistance, homemaking, 24-hour live-in care, nursing services, and even programs like Meals on Wheels and adult daycare. </p><p>D’Aquila also discusses using Medicare to defray the cost of in-home senior care: “though Medicare does not typically cover non-medical home care, some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited benefits for in-home services. This option is still in its infancy and not widely available, but it’s worth asking about if you or your loved one are on a Medicare Advantage plan.”</p><p>Additionally, families may choose to use Long-Term Care Insurance to offset the cost of home care services. Not to be confused with traditional health insurance, long-term care insurance is designed specifically to cover expenses related to non-medical home care, assisted living, and other senior care services. D’Aquila notes that some seniors even discover they have policies through former employers that they may have forgotten about and that many of these older policies offer an unlimited benefit, meaning they can cover services indefinitely, a financial lifesaver for families facing caregiving costs.</p><p>Lastly, D’Aquila notes that the most straightforward way to pay for in-home care services is through private, direct billing to the senior. Although this is a common method, many families explore other options to alleviate the financial burden that comes with caring for their elderly loved one.</p><p>“At our agency, we become partners with the families in helping them navigate the various funding options, including conducting research and identifying any means possible to help them cover the costs of eldercare,” concludes D’Aquila. “Understanding the various resources available to families, even if they qualify for government or other benefits down the road, can make a significant difference in the quality and affordability of care that their loved one receives.”</p><p>Learn more by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.assistedlivingct.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">www.assistedlivingct.com</a>&nbsp;or calling 203-634-8668.</p>

<p><em>-Packaging and Crating Technologies Donates $1K to Operation Hope in Fairfield–</em></p><p>Although September is National Hunger Action Month, one Connecticut manufacturer is extending the awareness campaign by helping a regional charity fight food insecurity and homelessness for hundreds of neighbors in need throughout October. Specifically, Packaging And Crating Technologies (PACT), a Watertown manufacturing company of durable corrugated moving containers and fire-suppressant wrap for handheld electronics and E-mobility equipment, recently donated $1,000 to Operation Hope, a non-profit organization that offers a food pantry, daily hot meals at a community kitchen and affordable housing to families suffering a financial setback across Fairfield County. </p><p>“As we head into the fourth quarter of every year, we’re always reminded about those less fortunate and find that assistance is needed long before the holidays,” said Josh Mort, Vice President at PACT. “We’re happy to help organizations that serve so many individuals each month, nourishing them and placing them in good, quality homes.”</p><p>On Saturday, October 5, 2024, the PACT team attended a special fundraising event at Harry’s Wine and Liquor Market in Fairfield, which hosted its annual benefit to gain recognition and support for a local charity. At which company representatives donated a $1,000 check to Operation Hope. </p><p>“Hunger and homelessness are very real issues in society,” said Patrick Monteleone, owner of Harry’s Wine and Liquor Market. “With the generous financial support from companies like PACT, we know that we will be successful in ending these crises.”</p><p>Operation Hope’s Food Pantry provides over 150,000 meals a year for individuals and families in Fairfield, Southport, Easton, Norwalk and Bridgeport. The Food Pantry, which is located at 636 Old Post Road in Fairfield, is fully stocked and operated by dedicated volunteers. Neighbors in need may access it on <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m.</span></p><p>Similarly, Operation Hope’s Community Kitchen serves hot, nutritious meals daily at lunch and dinner at 50 Nichols Street in Fairfield, Monday through Friday, 52 weeks a year. Anyone who is hungry may receive a meal, which is prepared and served by community members.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p><p>For more information or to donate food, please visit <a href="http://www.operationhopect.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.operationhopect.org</a> or call 203-254-2935.</p>

<p><strong>From Earning Girl Scout Badges to Earning Marathon Medals&nbsp;<em>-REGINA ‘THE QUEEN” FLEMING WILL RUN THE 2024 NEW YORK CITY MARATHON TO RAISE $5K FOR GIRL SCOUTS OF CONNECTICUT-</em></strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Even as a young girl, Regina Fleming has always embraced and exhibited a spirit of camaraderie and leadership in her daily activities. That’s why the Queens, NY native loved being a Brownie in her local Girl Scout troop where she worked hard to earn badges and enjoy the fun of being a Girl Scout. Now she is channeling her competitive nature and philanthropic passion to give back to the non-profit organization </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">that she has fond memories of and is a part of the inspirational success story that she is now</span><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">. Specifically, Fleming will run the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 3, 2024 to raise $5,000 for the preeminent girls’ organization that builds </span>women of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. To date, Fleming has participated in <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">15 marathons and more than 100 races worldwide.</span></p><p>“The Girl Scouts’ values and purpose aligns with my own,” said Regina Fleming.&nbsp;“When my sorority sister Elicia Pegues Spearman approached me to help fundraise for the Connecticut Council, I jumped at the chance to make this important charity the beneficiary of my upcoming marathon so that it can continue creating and </p><p>implementing impactful programs that are shaping our future female leaders.”&nbsp;</p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Fleming explains that her running journey began accidentally when she thought she registered for a simple fun run, only to find out that it was a half marathon. After training for only ten days, she finished the race and discovered her passion for running. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Once&nbsp;I received my first medal, I was hooked!” she recalls.&nbsp;“That moment transformed me from a novice runner into a determined athlete and I haven’t looked back.”&nbsp;</span></p><p>Since then, Regina has earned the coveted Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher medal, an honor&nbsp;that few marathon runners have&nbsp;achieved and allowed her and other finishers to be enter in the 2023 Guinness World Records.&nbsp;</p><p>Prior to her running career, Regina graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.&nbsp;As an alternative to attending law school, Regina&nbsp;began modeling and was signed by the prestigious Wilhelmina Models and later, Ford Models in New York City.&nbsp;Regina went on to pursue a passion of photography and graduated cum laude from Fashion Institute of Technology, earning an associate’s degree in photography.&nbsp;Today, she is the founder of the award-winning studio, Regina Fleming Photography.&nbsp;</p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Regina truly exemplifies the unlimited potential and endless options that women have today,” said Elicia Pegues Spearman, chief operating officer at Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “She is a powerful changemaker, demonstrating that young girls can be whatever they desire if they work hard and believe in themselves.”</span></p><p>Fleming's marathon running has supported a range of charitable causes, including New York Road Runners, Team for Kids, the National Parkinson’s Foundation, Grassroots Soccer and Action for Southern Africia.&nbsp;</p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">To help Fleming exceed her fundraising goal for GSOFCT, please visit </span><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/reginathequeen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/reginathequeen</a>.</p><p>Spearman emphasizes that donations directly support the four pillars inherent to Girl Scouting - STEAM, Life Skills, Entrepreneurship and Outdoors - and are earmarked for all GSOFCT programs for its 26,000+ members, including camping, exploring science, selling products, earning badges, going on trips, and doing community service.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p><p>“Running is symbolic of life in that if you stay in your lane, pace yourself and have a courageous and confident attitude, anything is possible,” concludes Fleming.&nbsp;“Together, we can ensure that the Girl Scouts organization continues to provide transformative experiences for girls everywhere—one mile at a time!”&nbsp;</p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">Visit&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.gsofct.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">www.gsofct.org</a><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">&nbsp;for more information and to get involved in the organization.</span></p>