Letters to the Editor May 19

Day of Caring a success

On Saturday, April 30, about 75 volunteers came together to help “care” for the Girl Scout Camp Maria Pratt. United Way Day of Caring has been an annual event in Northwest Connecticut since 1986.

This year, we have decided to hold two Day of Caring events, the first one designed to help clean up the Camp Maria Pratt for both the Girl Scouts summer camp program and Camp MOE.

On behalf of the United Way Board of Directors, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers and businesses who donated their time or their materials to make our first Day of Caring a big success.

 We had all ages of volunteers at the camp on Saturday ranging from teenagers to seniors. There was enough work for everyone and everyone walked away a little tired and a lot satisfied knowing they made a difference in the lives of some young campers.

A special thank you to the businesses that provided food for our volunteers: Big Y, Price Chopper, LaMonica’s, Alfredo’s, Carbone’s, Pipe Tomato, Mt. Claire, Dunkin Donuts and Super Stop & Shop.

Stephanie R. Barksdale

Executive Director

United Way of Northwest Connecticut

Torrington

May is Military Appreciation Month

Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM). For more than 230 years men and women have taken an oath to defend the Constitution and guarantee our freedom. When they take that oath, not only are they making a commitment and perhaps the ultimate sacrifice, but their families are making a commitment and sacrifice.

The very special days of appreciation and thanks in the month of May are: Loyalty Day, May 1; Military Spouse Appreciation Day, May 6; VE Day, May 8; Armed Forces Day, May 21; and Memorial Day, May 30. Although some of these have passed, we can still take a moment and say thanks or show our gratitude.

The American Legion Auxiliary Post 178 encourages you to fly the flag; send care packages to a soldier through USOCARES or through your local VFW post or American Legion post; shake the hand of someone in uniform; hire a veteran; visit a veteran; ask your elected officials at all levels to recognize the military; correspond with the troops.

Marie Barnum

Salisbury