LIONS CLUB TEAMS WITH CARE & SHARE

From the 14th to the 17th December, the Lions Club in East Lyme teamed with Care & Share folks to put together and deliver food baskets for over 100 families. The Lions have been helping Care & Share with this effort for years and always have a special touch to add to the baskets as well as contributing turkeys and fresh produce.

NIANTIC CENTER SCHOOL FOOD DRIVE

The Niantic Center School once again conducted a colossal food drive for Care & Share. Last year they carried the food to our old Pantry site, but that wasn’t possible since our Pantry site has moved. So Grade 2 loaded up a pickup truck which transported the food to the Pantry. Well done Niantic Center, you are helping us get through the holidays and the winter when food drives are few. Thanks to Grade 2 for the organization.

SMITH ACRES/MERMAID LIQUORS CHARITY EVENT RAISES $12,000 FOR CARE & SHARE

Joe and Teri Smith of Smith Acres (www.smithacres.com) and Sue Kumro of Mermaid Liquors (www.mermaidliquors.com) present Jim Hall, Presdent of Care & Share, with the proceeds of their charity wine and beer tasting event which was held in November. The proceeds exceed $12,000. There were also 86 local people and businesses who helped put on this event. This event has become a premiere fund raiser for Care & Share in the past several years.

CARE & SHARE OF EAST LYME
RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS TO MEET GROWING NEEDS

Care & Share of East Lyme is recruiting volunteers to help provide assistance for families in need in East Lyme and Salem. The current economic situation and approaching holidays require more help to carry out programs. Volunteers can assist with operating the food pantry, delivering food to families, responding to phone calls from families and preparing donated food, clothes and gifts for distribution.

Care & Share is a non-profit organization that provides emergency food delivery and financial aid, holiday food baskets and gifts, winter outerwear and linens, scholarships and camperships to residents of East Lyme and Salem. An all volunteer organization, Care & Share operates a food pantry located at Midway Plaza in East Lyme. A holiday donation center will also be located at that site.

In the first eight months of 2011, Care & Share has provided 35 % more food deliveries than in 2010 and similar increases are expected for holiday programs. The community has been very generous in their donations of food and funds, but more volunteers are needed to get the donated items to the families who have asked for assistance.

Care & Share invites the public to a special evening on Thursday October 6th, 7:00 p.m. at the food pantry in Midway Plaza (next to Aero Drapes). People interested in helping Care & Share can learn about the organization’s efforts, meet current members and discuss their volunteer efforts, while enjoying refreshments. Attendees are also invited to bring donations of winter outerwear and linens in good condition for the upcoming holiday program. For more information, contact the Care & Share main number at 860-739-8502.

BOOK CAPTURES LOCAL BEAUTY AND SUPPORTS CARE & SHARE

Local author and photographer David Fryburg has published a book of photographs depicting the natural beauty of East Lyme, particularly the shore and Oswegatchie Hills. Jewels In Our Midst is a celebration of nature in East Lyme and is dedicated to Care & Share of East Lyme. All of the profits from book sales will be donated to Care & Share.
Fryburg will present his work at the East Lyme Public Library on Wednesday, August 3rd at 7:00 p.m. Copies of the book will be available for purchase or may be ordered following the presentation. The photographs from the book will also be displayed in the lobby of the Community Center during the month of August. Prints will be available for purchase, also to benefit Care and Share of East Lyme.

Jewels In Our Midst may also be purchased through order forms available at the Care & Share food pantry in Midway Plaza during the normal intake hours on the first and third Saturday of the month, 11:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. Orders may also be placed by visiting www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/2319243.

Fryburg, who has lived in East Lyme for about 16 years, considers himself an amateur photographer, but the images in Jewels In Our Midst are professionally and artfully captured. An avid hiker and fan of Nature, he has been impressed with the magnificence that many people don’t realize surrounds us. “I like to share what I’ve seen on my hikes through photography, and I’d also like to help Care & Share,” he said. “In addition to natural beauty, East Lyme is blessed with many wonderful people, including the volunteers of Care & Share. Their contributions are a reflection of what makes this town so special.”

LEOS CLUB OF EAST LYME PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CARE & SHARE

At the May 25th meeting of the Leos Club of East Lyme, ongoing President Shyam Desai presented a donation of $300 to Care & Share President Jim Hall (see attached photograph). This brings the total of donations this year from the Leos Club to $800. The Leos have been a consistent supporter of Care & Share through financial and service donations and through providing toys and gifts to the Care & Share Holiday Store.

FOOD FOR FRIENDS BENEFITS CARE & SHARE

Care & Share of East Lyme received a generous donation of $6,448 from Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends campaign, conducted from fall through December of 2010. The check, presented by Perishable Manager Jeremy Pongetti, was the result of money collected from customers when they checked out. The company also contributed a portion of the donation.

The Food for Friends campaign offers a convenient way for Stop & Shop customers to help out their neighbors in need. Care & Share provides food, financial and emergency support to individuals and families in East Lyme/Niantic and Salem. As an all-volunteer organization, Care & Share operates a year-round food pantry (including paper, household and cleaning products) and delivers bread and seasonal food baskets to local residents. It also provides emergency financial, housing and energy assistance, camperships, scholarships, and emergency snacks and clothing to local school children. This donation was just in time to support the Spring Food Basket program which provided holiday food to over 400 people. This required about 2600 items of food.

DOMINION NUCLEAR AND NIANTIC ROTARY PROVIDE SUPPORT TO CARE & SHARE

Dominion Nuclear Connecticut recently was awarded the Niantic Rotary Award for Outstanding Community Service Award. Dominion chose to present the $1000 to Care & Share.

On April 27th, Alan Wilensky, President of the Niantic Rotary, presented a check to Jim Hall, President of Care & Share of East Lyme. Nancy Bulkeley, Community Affairs Representative for Dominion Nuclear Connecticut also participated in the presentation. In addition to the check, members of the Niantic Rotary also took up a food collection. The Niantic Rotary has been a continuing supporter of Care & Share.

EVENTS HAVE LASTING EFFECT FOR CARE & SHARE

No matter how grand or modest, every donation to Care & Share is precious to local families in need. In the past year, businesses and individuals came up with some innovative fundraising ideas that will boost Care & Share’s ability to help others in 2011.

Josie Bousios of Laura & Co. in Niantic hosted Santa at her salon on the two consecutive weekends before Christmas, asking patrons for a donations in exchange for photos with Santa to benefit Care & Share. Despite rain, wind and bitter cold, many children and parents visited with Santa, and Josie was able to raise cash that can be used for a family’s electric bill, heating oil, or basic groceries.

Some events relied on the cold to make donations thrilling—and chilling. Bill Hennessey, one of the organizers of the Frank Burke and Joey Lambert Memorial Swim on New Year’s Day, was able to present Care & Share with a substantial donation, collected from participating swimmers during a balmy 41°F afternoon at McCook’s Beach. “Even people who were just visiting the beach and not involved in the swim gave some money when they found out it was for Care & Share,” he said.

Another great idea came from a soon to be eight-year-old just after the holidays. Emma Stone wanted a big birthday bash in January. Her mom agreed, but wanted it to be meaningful beyond presents. Emma decided to invite all third-graders from Lillie B. Haynes School to her party at the East Lyme Community Center, and asked them to each bring an item to replenish Care & Share’s food pantry. “Emma guessed that she would get 67 items,” her mother, Jennifer, said. According to Care & Share, however, the party-goers donated a total of 478 items.

Care & Share wants to thank the members of the community who stepped up to help out, so that the organization can continue to provide for families in need.  If you are interested in hosting a fundraiser or making a donation please contact Care & Share at 860-739-8502.

CARE AND SHARE BUOYED BY SPIRITS OF SHARING

Care & Share of East Lyme ushered in the New Year receiving a very generous donation of more than $10,000, thanks to the Third Annual Spirits of Sharing Wine and Beer Tasting party, held on November 20. The donation was presented to Care & Share President Jim Hall at the annual membership meeting on January 6, 2011.

Teri Smith of Smith’s Acres opened up her greenhouse on West Main Street to host the event, and Sue Kumro of Mermaid Liquors on Main Street coordinated the spirits. Together, they sought donations from area merchants, restaurants, and beer and wine vendors to stage what has become one of the holiday season’s most anticipated events. “The success of this event is owed to the entire community and surrounding towns,” said Smith. “When we asked for donations, not one person said ‘no’.”

More than 100 items and services were donated for the event’s silent auction, including a can and bottle compactor, artwork, massages, carpentry services, haircuts, and even a fire engine ride during the East Lyme’s holiday tree lighting event. Smith Insurance of Niantic donated all the wine glasses for the wine and beer tasting, and Dime Savings Bank paid for the barbecue station.

Many restaurants provided food to further enhance the festivities. They included Smarty’s Pub, La Belle Aurore, Yankee Clipper, Niantic Diner, Illianos, Bobby D’s, Flanders Fish Market, Flanders Bake Shop, East Coast Taco, Village Pizza, Dock & Dine (Saybrook), Bricco (West Hartford), Old Orchard Farms, Diamond Chinese, Elenis, Lyme Tavern, Post Road Deli, and Hartford Grinder.

Anyone planning to attend this event next year is advised to purchase tickets as soon as they are available in October, as all 180 tickets sold out this past year within two weeks. “It is a great time and affordable,” said Kumro. “And it helps our community.”

MIGHTY KIDS HELP CARE & SHARE

On December 2, 2010, Christine Picklo, Tim Fagan, and Mary Westkott, organizers of the Mighty Kids Triathlon, presented Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc. with a check for $2,000—funding that was raised through registration fees for their event in September. 

Present also was Jack Stabach, Director of the East Lyme Aquatic and Fitness Center and originator of the triathlon, who explained how valuable this fundraiser is to local children who may not otherwise be able to attend summer camp. Children from ages six up to fourteen compete in the Triathlon by swimming, biking and running. “In the first year of the Mighty Kids Triathlon, 42 kids participated,” he said. “This past September, we had 250. After expenses are paid, all the money is divided fifty-fifty to Care & Share and the Aquatic Center’s scholarship fund.”

The funds support Care & Share’s campership program, which gives children in need the opportunity to attend the Aquatic Center’s Summer Sports School. The Aquatic Center sponsors another child for every one that Care & Share sponsors. In the eleven years since the inception of the triathlon, the event has helped approximately 120 children attend summer programs at the East Lyme Aquatic Center.

“We try to make sure no one is turned away from our programs,” said Stabach. “People don’t realize that our programs are independent from the high school, and we serve people from three month old babies to eighteen year olds. We do whatever we can to help kids get into our programs.”

CARE & SHARE HOLIDAY COLLECTIONS TO RUN NOVEMBER 5TH TO DECEMBER 14TH

Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc. invites the community to bring donated gifts to its Holiday Store, which has become an annual tradition that helps make the Christmas and Chanukah holidays brighter for Niantic, East Lyme and Salem residents in need. The Mitchell Trust has once again generously offered one of their storefronts for Care & Share’s holiday store, this year located at 55 Pennsylvania Avenue in Niantic (next door to Diamond Chinese Restaurant).

Beginning Friday, Nov. 5, the popular holiday shop will be open to receive donations on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 – 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 9:00 to noon. Gift contributions, which must be received no later than Wednesday, December 8, may be dropped off at the store during its hours of operation or arrangements may be made by calling Care & Share at 860-739-8502. If store hours are inconvenient items may also be left at the office of Rent a Space located at 9 King Arthur Drive on Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Donation suggestions for Christmas/Chanukah include new gifts for any age, male or female, children including teens, as well as adults and seniors. Suggestions include new items such as toys, arts and crafts, clothing accessories (jewelry, handbags, hats or dress scarves), household items and collectibles, as well as new or gently used linens and outerwear, such as winter coats or jackets. Gift cards for such items as phone, gas and groceries are also welcome. 

Last year, Care & Share’s holiday store served up about 80 boxes and bags of gifts to local families, as well as several bicycles and many coats and linens. When the store opened for its shopping hours, 92 families in need visited.

For donors who would like to fulfill specific gift wishes, several merchants in Niantic and East Lyme will host Care & Share “Angel” trees tagged with individual or family gift requests. Angel Trees can be found at That Look, Savings Institute, Liberty Bank, Stop & Shop, Chelsea-Groton Bank, Smith’s Acres, Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, and St. Sophia’s Church in New London. Gifts are especially needed for teens and young adults.

Along with gifts, food makes the holidays bright as well. Care & Share also needs non-perishable food and paper products to help fill Thanksgiving and Christmas/Chanukah baskets for distribution.  Holiday menu items, including stuffing, cranberry sauce, canned potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, peas and pumpkin are particularly desired. Food items may be delivered to the Care & Share Pantry at 11 Hope Street (behind Niantic Cinema) during the hours of 11:00AM – 1:00PM on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month or left in Care & Share food collection boxes in most banks, retail and community buildings. Frozen turkeys and chickens should be delivered to the Care & Share Pantry. Food for Thanksgiving should be received by November 16, and food for Christmas/Chanukah baskets should be delivered to Care & Share by December 14.

Questions can be directed to Care & Share at 860-739-8502.

CARE AND SHARE THIRD ANNUAL "SPIRITS OF SHARING" WINE AND BEER TASTING

Smith's Acres and Mermaid Liquors are sponsoring their Third Annual "Spirits of Sharing" Wine  & Beer Tasting. The wine tasting is being held on Saturday November 20th to benefit Care & Share of East Lyme in Smith's Acres greenhouse at 4 West Main Street. More than 10 Wine and Beer vendors will be present with samples from all over the world.  Area restaurants will be providing all the appetizers for the evening. Tickets for the event are on sale for only $30 each. Please contact either Smith's Acres or Mermaid Liquors to purchase your tickets, which must be purchased in advance.

Local businesses and families have once again opened their hearts for this wonderful cause. Donations for a variety of services and items are coming in daily. Last year there were over 100 different items for auction. We are hoping to have even more this year, and are still actively soliciting donations. Anyone willing to donate something for the Silent Auction, please contact Teri Smith at 860-625-6966, 860-691-0528 or Jsmith5@snet.net or Sue Kumro at 860-635-5114 or 860-739-2300.

Care & Share Holiday Collections Brighten The Season

Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc. invites the community to bring donated gifts to its holiday store, which has become an annual tradition that helps make the Christmas and Chanukah holidays brighter for Niantic, East Lyme and Salem residents in need. The Mitchell Trust has once again generously offered one of their storefronts for Care & Share’s holiday store, this year located at 55 Pennsylvania Avenue in Niantic (next door to Diamond Chinese Restaurant).

Beginning Saturday, Nov. 6, the popular holiday shop will be open to receive donations on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 – 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 9:00 to noon. Gift contributions, which must be received no later than Wednesday, December 8, may be dropped off at the store during its hours of operation, or arrangements may be made by calling Care & Share at 860-739-8502.

Donation suggestions for Christmas/Chanukah include new gifts for any age, male or female, children including teens, as well as adults and seniors. Suggestions include new items such as toys, arts and crafts, clothing accessories (jewelry, handbags, hats or dress scarves), household items and collectibles, as well as new or gently used linens and outerwear, such as winter coats or jackets. Gift cards for such items as phone, gas and groceries are also welcome. In addition to packing and distributing gifts to families, Care & Share offers a “free shopping day" when clients can "shop” for a few new gifts to supplement their holiday needs.

Last year, Care & Share's Holiday Store served 150 local families with gifts from the Store as well as from individual and organization sponsors.

For donors who would like to fulfill specific gift wishes, several merchants in Niantic and East Lyme will host Care & Share “Angel” trees tagged with individual or family gift requests.

Along with gifts, food makes the holidays bright as well. Care & Share also needs non-perishable food and paper products to help fill Thanksgiving and Christmas/Chanukah baskets for distribution. Holiday menu items, including stuffing, cranberry sauce, canned potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, peas and pumpkin are particularly desired. Food items may be delivered to the Care & Share Pantry at 11 Hope Street (behind Niantic Cinema) or left in Care & Share food collection boxes in most banks, retail and community buildings. Frozen turkeys and chickens should be delivered to the Care & Share Pantry. Food for Thanksgiving should be received by November 16, and food for Christmas/Chanukah baskets should be delivered to Care & Share by December 14. The Pantry is open for contributions on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

The East Lyme High School 2010 Empty Bowls Project To Benefit Care & Share

The Ceramics, Culinary, and Graphic Design Departments at East Lyme High School will be hosting an Empty Bowls Project fundraiser at the high school on Thursday, March 25th, 2010 from 5:30-7:30pm.  For this event, students in the ceramics program have created hundreds of handmade ceramic bowls that will be for sale that evening.  Culinary students will prepare and serve a various selection of soups, and guests at the event will have the opportunity to purchase a hand made ceramic bowl along with their meal.  All proceeds from the East Lyme High School 2010 Empty Bowls Project will be donated to Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc.  The goal of the East Lyme High School 2010 Empty Bowls Project is to promote hunger awareness and philanthropy by providing students with an opportunity to donate their time and skills to benefit a local hunger fighting organization.  While students gain understanding of the value of charitable service, their donation proceeds generate considerable support for this worthy cause. 

Empty Bowls is a project of The Imagine/Render Group, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to positive and lasting social change through the arts, education and projects that build community.  The Empty Bowls Project is a nation wide project that promotes awareness of world hunger, and provides participants with an opportunity to donate their time and efforts for this cause.  This project is entitled Empty Bowls as a reminder to guests of the meal’s purpose.  Every time they take their ceramic bowl from their cupboard, they will be reminded that someone’s bowl is always empty and that on this one occasion they helped to alleviate hunger and could do so again at any time.

The art, culinary, and graphic design departments are planning to accommodate an event for up to 350 people.  The event will take place in the East Lyme High School Commons, an open and inviting space centrally located on the main floor adjacent to the entrance of the high school.  Clay production for East Lyme High School 2010 Empty Bowls Project started at the end of the 2008-2009 school year, currently there are hundreds of bowls already made for the occasion.  Culinary students will be producing all of the soup for the evening, as part of a culinary unit on mass food production.  Because the culinary department is not equipped with the necessary facilities to mass produce bread, bread as well as desserts will be donated from local area restaurants and businesses.  Graphic design students have designed posters and cards to advertise and promote the occasion.  Guests at the event will also have the opportunity to enjoy live student entertainment.  The East Lyme High School all female Acapella Group Sweet Harmony will be performing, in addition to the very talented acoustic duo Jake Carpenter (a student of East Lyme High School) and Sarah Peck (a student of Old Lyme High School), who are scheduled to headline for the evening.  Students from the art, culinary and graphic design departments, in addition to the East Lyme High School Diversity Club will be working as volunteers the night of the event.  The 2010 East Lyme High School Empty Bowls Project is generously supported by a grant from the Dime Bank Foundation.

More information on The East Lyme High School 2010 Empty Bowls Project can be found on our Facebook page under “East Lyme High School Empty Bowls”.

BLACK SHEEP HOSTS PASTA BUFFET TO BENEFIT CARE & SHARE OF EAST LYME

When Leo Roche, an Irishman from Glin, County Limerick, and his wife, Heather Roche, opened their popular Black Sheep Bar and Restaurant in Niantic, who would have thought that barely a year later Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc. would benefit from a pasta buffet at this high scale Irish pub? But, thanks to the generosity of these two community-minded restaurateurs, patrons at the Tuesday, March 2 Care & Share benefit will enjoy exactly that.

Featuring a universally loved pasta fare, including meatballs, sausage, bread and salad, the 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. buffet dinner is being planned by the popular Irish pub as a special fundraiser for Care & Share. All proceeds will support the C&S year-round mission of providing food and emergency assistance to its East Lyme/ Niantic and Salem neighbors in need. Tickets, exclusive of drinks and gratuity, are $20 each and are available at the door or in advance at the Black Sheep, 247 Main Street, or by calling Care & Share at 860 739-8502. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended.

For further information regarding Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc., its services and volunteer needs, please visit www.CareandShareofEL.org or call.

CARE AND SHARE BEGINS 2010 WITH INCREASED NUMBERS AND NEW OFFICERS

Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc. concluded its 20th anniversary year at its January 7 annual meeting with reports of record service numbers, as well as with the election of new board members and 2010 officers.

Newly elected to the Board of Directors were Sally Bender of East Lyme, Kathy Lauzon of Salem, and Kay Whritner of Niantic. Each will serve three year terms as directors, effective January 7, 2010. Officers elected for 2010 are James Hall, president; Sally Bender, vice president; Donna Butler, treasurer and Carol Indorato, secretary. Continuing to serve on the board are Ralph Brisco, Mimi Chayer, and Diane Zukowski.

Following presentation of an engraved plaque of appreciation attached to a stained glass scallop shell reflective of the Care & Share logo, outgoing president, Barbara Buzzelli, was given a standing ovation for her service since 2004 in that leadership role. As noted by past president, Mae Hills, “In her five years as president, Barb has advanced the organization in so many ways, particularly in client and computer communications advancements, such as development of a new website. However, perhaps her greatest attributes may be found in her compassion for anyone with a problem, combined with the extent to which she gives of herself, both in time and energy.”

Looking back on 2009, Care & Share experienced significant increases in both services requested and provided. A total of 162 families received gifts, food, or both, thanks to over 1,000 gifts that were contributed by individuals, businesses, churches, schools and community organizations. Additionally, the pantry fed over 500 people for Christmas/Chanukah with food contributions totaling some 4.7 tons, again thanks to the contributions and volunteer support of community individuals and organizations. Particular credit is attributed to the Lion’s Club, which collaborated with Care & Share volunteers and contributors in supplying quantities of turkeys/chickens, dairy and produce, packing and delivering the holiday baskets.

In addition to its holiday programs and year-round food pantry, Care & Share runs an emergency assistance program throughout the year, which also experienced record increases, including a 55% increase in number of clients helped, a 63% increase in food deliveries and a 24% increase in financial assistance.

“Looking ahead into 2010,” said new Care & Share president James Hall, “we expect a continuation of the increase in requests for assistance which began in 2009. We are very fortunate to be in a community whose generosity enables us to meet this important ongoing challenge.” 

A volunteer membership organization, Care & Share turns now to the planning of programs that will be coming up during the spring and summer months, such as seasonal food basket distributions, scholarships and camperships.  For further information regarding Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc., its services and volunteer needs, please visit www.CareandShareofEL.org or call 860 739-8502.

CARE AND SHARE SECOND ANNUAL "SPIRITS OF SHARING" WINE AND BEER TASTING

Smith's Acres and Mermaid Liquors are sponsoring their Second Annual "Spirits of Sharing" Wine  & Beer Tasting. The wine tasting is being held on Friday November 20th to benefit Care & Share of East Lyme in Smith's Acres greenhouse at 4 West Main Street. More than 10 Wine and Beer vendors will be present with samples from all over the world.  Area restaurants will be providing all the appetizers for the evening. Tickets for the event are on sale for only $25 each. Please contact either Smith's Acres or Mermaid Liquors to purchase your tickets.

Local businesses and families have once again opened their hearts for this wonderful cause. Donations for a variety of services and items are coming in daily. Last year there were over 100 different items for auction. We are hoping to have even more this year, and are still actively soliciting donations. Anyone willing to donate something for the Silent Auction, please contact Teri Smith at 860-625-6966, 860-691-0528 or Jsmith5@snet.net or Sue Kumro at 860-635-5114 or 860-739-2300.

Please help us to help our less fortunate neighbors as the need is even greater this year than last.

CARE AND SHARE STARTS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH REQUEST FOR HELP

Noting an increase in requests for assistance and, in contrast, a dwindling supply on its food pantry shelves, Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc. begins the approaching holiday season with a call to the community for contributions of food and other items for East Lyme/Niantic and Salem residents in need.

“The winter months, highlighted by the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chanukah holidays, traditionally are the busiest time for Care & Share,” commented the nonprofit community organization’s president, Barbara Buzzelli. “Not only do requests for food and financial assistance typically peak at this time, but the distribution of holiday gifts of clothing, toys and other items require a major effort in both time and contributions on the part of Care & Share volunteers and members of the community at large. This year, unfortunately, just as the requests for client support have grown, so too has the troubled economy impacted society as a whole.  It is with this perspective that we ask for assistance in helping Care & Share reach out to its less fortunate community neighbors. While we have always been  thankful in past years to the businesses, organizations and individual donors who have responded so generously with donations, we are doubly appreciative this year.”

A priority need is to replenish the food pantry shelves in preparation for the distribution of Thanksgiving as well as Christmas/Chanukah baskets to community residents in need. Holiday menu items, including stuffing, cranberry sauce, canned potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, peas and pumpkin are particularly desired. Food items may be delivered to the Care & Share Pantry at 11 Hope Street (behind Niantic Cinema), which is open between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for collection on the first and third Saturdays of each month throughout the year. Additionally, nonperishable items may be left in Care & Share food collection boxes in most banks, retail and community buildings.  Frozen turkeys and chickens should be delivered to the Care & Share Pantry. Food for Thanksgiving should be received by November 14.  Food for Christmas/Chanukah baskets should be delivered to Care & Share by December 12.

Members of the community are also invited to bring donated gifts to the Care & Share Holiday Store, which, thanks to the generosity of the Mitchell Trust, is located this year at 51 Pennsylvania Avenue, Niantic. Beginning Monday, Nov. 2, the popular holiday shop will be open to receive donations on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 – 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 to noon. Gift contributions, which must be received no later than Friday, December 11, may be dropped off at the store during its hours of operation, or arrangements may be made by calling Care & Share at (860) 739-8502.

Donation suggestions for Christmas/Chanukah include new gifts for any age, male/female, including teens and seniors. With the exception of blankets, linens and outerwear, which may be gently used, all gifts must be new. Suggestions include new toys and other child, teen and adult gifts, as well as gift cards for such items as phone, gas and groceries.  For donors who would like to fill specific gift wishes, Care & Share holiday trees tagged with individual or family gift requests may be found at several merchants and banks in Niantic and East Lyme.

The search is on. No one has yet claimed the prize diamond, valued at $500, from Care & Share of East Lyme's "Diamond Dig" booth, set up at the July 18, 2009 East Lyme Day Celebration.

For the past six years, Care and Share has run its popular Diamond Dig Benefit, inviting anyone who wants to try their luck to take a chance at uncovering a diamond by digging in a bucket of sand. Each $1 shovelful of sand is sifted to reveal whatever treasure the hopeful digger is able to uncover - in most cases, a diamond-look-a-like zircon. However, hidden along with the 500 essentially beautiful, albeit valueless, zircon gems, was one real diamond.

Anyone who scooped up one or more of the tiny treasures was directed to "register" their findings by giving their name and contact information to a Care & Share volunteer and then stop by the adjacent Northern Light Gems booth to see if they had uncovered the real thing. Sadly, although all the buried stones had been uncovered by the afternoon's end, the real diamond remains unidentified.

"Maybe in the confusion of the day, or with the numbers of people waiting for an appraisal, the holder of the true diamond didn't understand the process and simply walked away," said Vince Martin, volunteer coordinator of the popular booth. "Hopefully, they will now read this article and take their findings to Northern Light Gems on Pennsylvania Avenue, Niantic, for an appraisal." The zircons, along with one true diamond, were all donated by Northern Light Gems owner and jeweler, Antonio Suarez.

Anyone still holding treasures from the Diamon Dig that have not been appraised should be sure to take them to NOrthern Light Gems - you may be holding the winning diamond!

When Gail Lundin, Debbie Mandel, Connie Rue and Wendy Wasserman got together in 1988 to see what they could do to assist town neighbors in need, they never imagined that twenty years later they and the organization that grew out of their thinking, Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc., would be recognized on a day officially proclaimed as Care & Share Day in the Town of East Lyme.

As more than 90 volunteer members, supporters and community friends gathered on June 11 at Niantic Sportsman’s Club, Care & Share president, Barbara Buzzelli, remarked on the phenomenal growth of the organization that had begun as the inspiration of four women with a simple desire to serve others. She then presented each with a delicate glass scallop shell and engraved plaque of appreciation, specially designed for the event by artist Karen Thissell.

Speaking on behalf of the four honorees, Debbie Mandel explained that the idea of using a scallop shell for the organization’s logo grew out of the name of the former Seashell Restaurant, where the four first conceived the idea for the fledgling organization. She went on to recall that when the East Lyme Chamber of Commerce agreed to their suggestion that a holiday collection be made for those in need, Thanksgiving baskets were provided to eight local families.

Today, Care & Share of East Lyme, which is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, has some 80 active volunteers providing either food, financial or holiday assistance to approximately 154 families (500+ individuals) in the East Lyme/Niantic and Salem area. Care & Share maintains a year-round food pantry, several special food basket and holiday programs, including a holiday store for clients, as well as an Emergency Assistance program, annual scholarships and camperships.

Observing that after 20 years, the legacy of the founders lives on, East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica noted that there is both good and bad news. “The bad news,” he said, “is that there is still a need. The good news is that because of you, Care & Share is here, providing its heart and soul, 24 hours a day, to those in need, and that’s what makes our town great.” Adding that he looks forward to seeing this work continue, he then announced that within the next 20 days, he expects to establish a new vision committee, the purpose of which will be to review all existing town-owned buildings with an eye towards how they are used, as part of a 20-year plan. Care & Share presently houses its food pantry in a town-owned building on Hope Street behind the Niantic Cinemas and has been talking with the town about facilities options for the future.

Formica concluded his remarks by reading from an official proclamation establishing June 11, 2009 as Care & Share Day in the Town of East Lyme and citing the dedication of volunteer time and talent through which Care & Share “helps to develop the potential and self-confidence and life skills of its clients, [becoming] a very big part of the East Lyme community and…a very valuable group to assist those in need.”

State Representative Ed Jutila wrapped up the evening with best wishes to the founders and many friends and volunteers present, reinforcing the pervasive feeling of gratitude for all that the organization has done throughout its 20 years.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc. at a June 11 award presentation and reception are (l-r) Gail Lundin and Debbie Mandel, founders of C&S; State Representative Ed Jutila; Betty Purvis, an early member and former vice president ; Connie Rue, C&S founder; Mae Hills, an early member and past president; East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica, and Barbara Buzzelli, current C&S president. Not pictured is Wendy Wasserman, the fourth C&S founder, who was unable to attend.

Shown at the Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc. 20th anniversary celebration held June 11 at the Niantic Sportsman’s Club are event committee members (l-r) Diane Zukowski, chair, Alice Sailer, Vincent Martin, Mae Hills, Sally York and Judy Georg. Attended by approximately 90 volunteer members and community friends of Care & Share, the program included an award presentation to the four original founders of the non-profit organization.

Noting a 60% year-to-date increase in requests for food by families and individuals in need, Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc. is issuing a call to the community for help in restocking its pantry suppplies, which are dwindling rapidly. A nonprofit, volunteer organization, Care & Share operates a year-round food pantry for the benefit of East Lyme/Niantic and Salem residents in need.

Nonperishable food items, including canned fruits, tuna, canned meats such as beef stew, hash or Spam, as well as canned macaroni, including Ravioli/Spaghetto's, Mac & Cheese, cold cereal, juice, and dry milk are particularly needed. Frozen meats, including packages of hamburger, hotdogs and 4 to 5 lb. chickens, are also welcomed.

Donations may be brought to the Care & Food Pantry, at 11 Hope Street., Niantic (behind Niantic Theater), on the first and third Saturday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 1 p..m. when Care & Share volunteers will be available to receive it. To make delivery arrangements on other than the specified Saturdays, please call 739-8502. In addition, nonperishable items may be placed in any of several Care & Share collection boxes located in many community churches, organizations and retailers, including the major food stores. Please remember to check expiration dates on all food contributions.

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