Community Corner

Ways to Give Back During the Holiday Season

There are lots of ways to spread good will during the holidays…here are some ideas.

With the holiday season in full force, there are plenty of opportunities to make someone else’s holidays a little bit brighter.

Debbie Verrillo and other volunteers at the Smith Library got together and made on Nov. 21. Verrillo and the VFW Post 8294 of North Branford/Northford also helped to collect care packages that were shipped out, too.  

Night to Care

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Jackie Rodriquez, chairman of the program at , was thrilled to report that all 131 snowmen, each representing a child in need of gifts, were chosen.

Now the gifts are coming in and on Friday, Dec. 9, the gifts will be wrapped and the food boxes will be packed. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and volunteers are welcome.

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The at Stop & Shop was a success and after sending a flier home to JHS families, Rodriquez said they received almost everything they needed. She will pick up the rest of the food supplies with the monetary donations collected.

“Everybody has been very generous,” said Rodriquez. “The gifts we have are wonderful.”

North Branford Food Bank

According to , the founder of the North Branford Food Bank, the provided a great boost to the Food Bank for the holiday season.

Linda Humphrey, the music teacher at JHS, also organized a holiday concert on Dec. 3 with area musicians coming together to entertain and support the Food Bank.

“She put it all together and it was really great,” said Wentworth. “She had friends from out of town come to perform and a wonderful singer from Northford. I certainly didn’t expect that much and everyone was mesmerized by the performances.”

Donations to the Food Bank are accepted on Fridays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at and on Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at ACES on Old Post Road in Northford. There is also a drop box at Big Y and outside of the office at the North Branford Park and Recreation Center.

Be a Santa to a Senior

While many people think of children in need during the holidays, Home Instead Senior-Care has put up trees in several locations including the for the program.

The trees are decorated with paper ornaments that residents can choose from. The ornaments give you the senior’s gender and a requested gift. Once you buy the gift, you simply wrap it, attach the ornament and return it to a drop spot.

Other Ways to Help

  • through New Haven Home Recovery
  • Donate food items to the Community Dining Room for its
  • Bring a new, unwrapped toy to a dropoff location
  • Collect loose change through
  • Visit a if you have room in your home for a pet


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