Sandy Hook: Winsted Elks donate $1,300

WINSTED — Members of the Winsted Elks Lodge banded together recently in response to last December’s deadly shootings in Newtown by donating a $1,300 check to Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue, the fire department closest to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

In a Jan. 18 letter to Chief William T. Halstead Sr. of the Sandy Hook department, Elks Exalted Ruler Matt Schlosser noted that the December shootings “left all of us with heavy hearts and many unanswerable questions to ruminate upon. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the men and women of your department along with the entire Newtown community.”

Along with the letter, Schlosser included a check from the Winsted Elks Lodge for $1,300, a result of donations from lodge members who expressed an interest in helping the Newtown community in some way. Elks member Heather Murray organized the fund drive in early January after discussing the idea with fellow members and within a few days had collected hundreds of dollars. The final amount took about two weeks for Murray to collect.

On Jan. 19, Murray and Schlosser were joined by Elks members Lee Williams and Don McCurdy for a road trip to deliver the lodge’s contribution in person to Halstead and to deliver handshakes and hugs to members of the department. An audience of firefighters and first responders applauded the Elks’ effort and thanked members for their collective contribution.

“Without question your department has sustained an impact on several levels, including the exhaustion of numerous resources and equipment,” Schlosser said. “During the past few weeks, members of our lodge have made donations and raised money to assist you as you begin to rebuild again.”

Schlosser asked Halstead to extend the Winsted community’s appreciation to members of the Sandy Hook fire department “and know you have the love and respect of your friends in the Northwest Corner.”