Announcement From Geneveive Salvatore

Hello! I am pleased that I am again serving as the Chair of the FAAN CT Walk for Food Allergy. As you know, raising money for and awareness about life threatening food allergies is very important to me because of my son Geno’s severe allergy to peanuts and tree nuts. Because of Geno’s daily struggle to ensure his safety, I am committed to doing whatever I can to help find a cure.

This year, I decided to get an early start on our fundraising efforts so that we can raise as much money as we can. As you can imagine, while we did well last year, the poor state of the economy certainly took its toll. We are fortunate, though, that The Elwoods have continued to support FAAN with their generous donation of their amazing musical talent and will join us again this year.

So, on behalf of Geno, all of CT’s children with food allergies, and FAAN, I ask you to be as generous as you can in supporting this year’s walk. I’ve also included sponsorship information if you’d like recognition for your donation. The website for the walk is www.foodallergywalk.org. Donations can be sent to my office below or directly to FAAN, noting the “Hartford Walk.”

Thanks and I hope to see you walk day, October 17, 2010!

Whole Foods Helps Fight Hunger In Milford

Recently I read about this hunger issue in the Milford Mirror on page 16A. My wife, brought the article in the paper to my attention and we were both saddened and struck that hunger could even exist in our wonderful community.

Thankfully for for those looking for a meal, and the generosity of the newly opened Whole Foods Market and the Bethel Center, our friends will be given an opportunity to eat. The program was originally devised by WHY, (World Hunger Year) who is dedicated to providing nutritious meals to 49 Million hungry Americans and their 17 Million children.

This figure has been increasing alarmingly with the economic downturn and the lingering jobless recession. Hunger in America appears to have thus far peaked with one in six people going to bed hungry each night. The photo above is that of Tent City, or Obama's new Hooverviles, aptly named after Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression. California is one of three states where unemployment peaked above 12%. Tent cities have sprung up all over America, and the need to pull our country together is more urgent than ever.

To combat this problem Whole foods, last January 6Th, gave 5% of its stores daily profits to charity. In our community the charity that addresses these types of hunger issues is the Bethel Center who also has been a recipient of my personal charitable offerings of Free computers for disadvantage children, and monetary donations from the Turkey Trot fundraiser that I sponsor with Daytime Lodge in Stratford each year.

The Bethel Center is always on the look out for altruistic people who are willing to contribute to their cause. To offer your help, please call (212) 629-8850.

Milford's Animals Get A Gift

The following photo was taken from Frank Juliano's Milford Musings site (Link Below) of animals being helped in Milford. With my brother and Father both being Veterinarians I am always happy and grateful to see people in our community helping animals. Thank you to the Remax staff for thinking of God's creatures this Holiday Season.

Staff from REMAX Real Estate presents a donation to Scott Ellingson, the city’s assistant animal control officer, to buy pet food and treats for shelter animals.

Pop's Restaurant Feeds The Disadvantaged On Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving the poor and elderly have a place to go thanks to the generosity of Pop's Restaurant on New Haven Ave. in Milford.

Each year, on Thanksgiving day, Pop's serves 80-90 homeless and elderly people for free. This year they expect the same amount of attendees at their establishment. The kitchen opens from 12-3 P.M. and a holiday meal will be served to all needy walkins.

Pop's is the only establishment that I found helping the disadvantaged and the elderly in this way. The Milford Bethel center indicated that their service was one of a kind in Milford with no other known establishments helping the poor with a free onsite meal.

There are several other charities that exist, who will be delivering meals. The Boy Scouts also raised money to help people this holiday season.

Today's post is a heartfelt thanks to Independent party supporter, and community benefactor Pop's restaurant on New Haven Ave. for their kindness toward those in need this holiday season. Please show your support to Pop's for their generosity.

Touch a Truck At Eisenhower Park

This was an event sponsored by the Junior Women’s Club. Fire trucks, ambulances, 18 wheelers, police cars, dump trucks and much more were parked on the field for youngsters to explore. Other activities included face painting and tattoos a hay ride, moon bounce, and rock wall climbing.

Anyone living near the park could not help but hear the blaring horns of the many trucks. Kids were really enjoying themselves and were particularly curious with the many different sounds of the trucks. The event was a great success for the Women's Club who raises money for people in crisis.

The Milford Junior Woman's Club was established in 1973. It is comprised of a diverse group of women from Milford and surrounding towns. Each member of the MJWC brings a unique perspective on the world, and an individual life experience that enhances the capabilities of the organization. The time and talents so generously given by the women of this club can best be measured in the benefits reaped by the community it serves.

Startford Mayor James Miron Honors Fund Raising Efforts

Each year the fraternal lodge of Masons engages in fundraising activities to help various charities. The organization is put together and currently spearheaded by: (From Left to Right) Dave Urban, Rocco J. Frank, James Miron, Bruce Swan, and Tammy Trojanski.

Tammy is the representative of the charitable organization who benefited from our fundraising event. Her organization works with families in crisis that need emergency food and shelter, she works with several facilities including the Bethel center here in Milford.

This is our first official charitable donation and more are expected to come. If you know of anyone who needs help and could benefit from our support please contact me or Dave Urban for details. My Telephone number is (203) 247-HELP, Dave can be reached at (203) 377-6056.

We also have been pleasantly surprised with one of the most amazing opportunities ever. Mayor James Miron has indicated that he will run in next years Turkey Trot race. This will make Mayor James the first mayor to participate in our new town tradition of health and fitness. Our most sincere thanks to mayor Miron for helping us grow.

Todays event is expected to appear in the upcoming Stratford Star available at the town local library and residents.

Struggling to Find Worthwhile Charities

The continued benevolence of Masonic programs hosted by the Scottish Rite Masons and my personal fraternity Daytime Lodge no. 144 has been actively seeking charities who work to help others regain a footing on their lives.

Charities under consideration may include, but are not limited to, education, food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and transitional employment and training programs for the jobless. Our incredibly successful and growing charitable events like the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot and the ComputerFox computer recycling program are a continued approach to offering needy people a hand up, while helping those who live a lifelong dependency in hospitals, or with disabilities an aggregate contribution to aid in their lifelong journey.

So far this year, the combined charitable contributions of the ComputerFox and Masonry has helped raise funds for Earthplace in Westport, the Circle of Care at New Haven Hospital, the gifting of several computers to children whose parents cannot afford one, and sent a truckload of old monitors to less developed nations "For Free."

Our charitable programs now involve apportioning a substantial amount of funds to a wave of new charities in 2008. If you feel, you know or are part of a charity that meets the criteria of lending needy people a "hand up" than contact me at (203) 647-0380 to inquire about an application for funds.

Politician and ComputerFox, Volunteer Services to Circle of Care.

ComputerFox, a Connecticut-based computer repair chain, has volunteered its computer repair services to Circle of Care, an in-house hospital program that offers support to families with children with cancer. Circle of Care services families in the Yale Medical Center and others.

ComputerFox is headed by Milford businessman Rocco J. Frank, Jr., who saw this as another great way to reach out to those who really needed help. Frank has a long history of offering his computer services to those in need. He currently operates a free computer recycling program and a free refurbished computer program for those who are on public assistance and can not afford to buy their own.

“Circle of Care provides ComputerFox with a unique opportunity to help sick children and their families,” said Frank. So far, ComputerFox has volunteered several hours of their computer repair services and some computer parts. “We estimate that the initial repair of the organization’s laptops is the equivalent of over $1,000 worth of parts and services,” said Frank.
Volunteering began with the repair of all of the organizations laptop computers, but that was only the beginning. ComputerFox will also maintain the computers indefinitely through the use of an employee who will become a volunteer, absolutely free of charge.

“I have four precious children of my own,” said Frank, “and would really appreciate any help if something ever happened to one of them.” Circle of Care offers support for families with cancer through an in-hospital program and telephone peer support. Also, the laptop computers are also offered to families in need.

Rocco J. Frank, Jr., CEO of ComputerFox is also running for office in 2008, as an Independent candidate for State Representative for the 118th District of Connecticut, which includes Milford and Devon. He hopes that his goodwill toward all, even those outside his voting district like Circle of Care, translates into something great for everyone in Connecticut.

Written By: Michael Vecchiarelli

The Circle of Care website is: http://www.thecircleofcare.org