Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Boys & Girls Club in Shelton names new board president

Fred Serra/ Contributed photo


SHELTON - The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley is pleased to announce its new Board President and five new Directors:

Frederick W. Serra, NFP – President
Harry Burlakoff, Minuteman Press of Shelton – Director Christopher Douglas, Encon – Director
Dave Jones, Splash Car Wash – Director
Christen Perry, Wellington’s Restaurant – Director Carlo Sarmiento, City of Derby – Director

“Fred has clearly demonstrated his commitment and value as a member of our Board of Directors,” Shaye Roscoe, Executive Director, said. “Fred’s company, Serra & DelVecchio, has been a valued supporter of our Club for more than a decade. We look forward to his leadership over the next three years, as well as the experience of our five new Directors: Harry Burlakoff, Christopher Douglas, Dave Jones, Christen Perry, and Carlo Sarmiento.”

Serra, a Club kid himself, brings a wealth of experience to the Boys & Girls Club as a local business owner of 35 years. 
Serra began serving the Club in 2005 as a Corporator, advancing to a Director, and taking the reins as Back-a-Kid Annual Appeal chairman in 2017, before being tapped for the Presidency.
During his career Serra was CEO and Chief Mergers and Acquisitions Officer of Serra & DelVecchio Insurance. He is now a Managing Director of NFP, the fourth largest independent insurance broker in the country. 
Serra serves on many local boards and was the past Chairman of the Connecticut Benefit Brokers.

Fred, his wife, Lisa, and their six children and grandchildren live in the Valley.
“I have worked in private business my entire career, and many of my clients were nonprofit organizations,” Serra said. “I understand their unique needs, and my number one goal is to build on the strong Board the Club currently has - creative thinkers that are passionate about our mission.”
The newest Directors were inducted onto the Board at the Club’s annual meeting and are part of the organization’s strategic plan to enhance the diversity and industry knowledge of the Board.


“Our new Directors have a broad range of experience and lots of enthusiasm, which will help us execute our vision and keep pace with the rapidly growing needs of our community and the kids we serve,” Roscoe said.
Harry Burlakoff of Minuteman Press Shelton has been involved in the community since opening his business in 2009. Harry joined the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Seeds to Leads Networking Group, the Valley United Way’s Corporate Volunteer Council, and the Exchange Club of Shelton. 
Giving is in Harry’s nature, and he goes above and beyond assisting our Boys & Girls Club, as well as the other nonprofits in our region. Harry is a graduate of the Leadership Greater Valley Class of 2015.
Chris Douglas is co-President of Encon, which he joined in 1982 as a service technician. Known as one of the hardest working men in the industry, Chris quickly acquired the experience and education necessary to advance into sales and engineering in 1987. 
He has extensive industry knowledge of commercial HVAC design, installation, and building controls. Chris holds professional licenses in heating, piping, cooling, electrical, and solar. As a charismatic executive with a dedication to excellence, Chris leads by example and sets a high standard for the entire company. Chris is an alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club. While attending the Club he enjoyed spending time in the fitness room and participating in the floor hockey league. He joined the Board as a way of giving back. Chris and his wife reside in Shelton.
Dave Jones is originally from Monroe and now resides in Shelton with his wife of six years and two infant sons. He has been employed with Splash Car Wash in Shelton for 14 years. He played high school baseball and football and attended community college. 
While growing up, Dave’s father taught him that “when people are different they may need a helping hand, so use your God-given ability to help others.” Dave found himself always helping out those who were different. Dave joined the Board of Directors because he realized the Boys & Girls Club was much more than a place to play sports. It was a place where kids who may feel different because of their circumstances can find a safe haven and guidance for their future.
Christen Perry has been familiar with the Boys & Girls Club her whole life. Her father, Leon Sylvester, was a Board member for many years, and her husband, Ben Perry, is a Club alumni as well as a past Board member. 
Christen received her degree in Business Management from Post College and has worked at Market Data and the Ascot Club, and is now with Wellington’s Restaurant, all in Shelton. Christen, Ben, and their daughters live in Shelton.
Carlo Sarmiento was born in Argentina, and he and his family came to the United Stats in 1981. He now serves the City of Derby as the Building official, Planning and Zoning Enforcement Agent, the Blight Officer, and the Relocation Officer. 
Carlo is an accomplished cook and donates much of his time helping charitable organizations and nonprofits with their catered events. 
In addition to serving on the Board, he is a member of the Valley Angels as well as the Sargeant in Arms for The Fourth Watch.

Welcoming environment
Boys & Girls Clubs fill the gap between school and home. 
The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley provides a welcoming, positive environment in which kids and teens have fun, participate in life-changing programs, and build supportive relationships with peers and caring adults. 
More than 3,300 kids in four units attend  programs on a yearly basis.
For more information visit www.BGC-LNV.org.


This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club. 

Support group to learn about oral health at Griffin Hospital in Derby

The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host presentations May 8 about an exercise program for individuals diagnosed with diabetes./ Contributed photo


DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation on oral health and diabetes at 6:30 p.m. May 8.

The discussion will provide information and tips on how to take care of oral health as part of diabetes self-management. 
Diabetes is a systemic disease which effects the health of the mouth. 
Individuals diagnosed with diabetes are prone to more cavities and are twice as likely to develop gum disease, which can also affect the ability to control blood glucose levels. 
The presentation will be in the hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom A.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges, and day-to-day dietary concerns. 
Individuals with diabetes and their caregivers are welcome to attend.
The hospital is at 130 Division St.

No registration is required. 
For more information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Newsletter: Derby students learn safety, Ansonia author to talk Yankees


Dear readers,

Today's Valley Voice newsletter features Safe Kids Day event at Griffin Hospital in Derby, businesses to sponsor landscaping of Ansonia Armory grounds, more.

Happy reading,

Patti and Ralph

Shelton Library System needs volunteers for annual book sale

Sharing from the Shelton Library System's Facebook page: 
"The Friends of the Shelton Libraries Spring Book Sale at Plumb Memorial Library is coming up May 17-21. 
Facebook photo
Getting the sales room ready involves moving hundreds of boxes of books, and can only be done with the help of many volunteers. We are in need of able-bodied volunteers who can lift boxes of books onto dollies or carts, wheel them to the sales room, and unload them. 
We also need people who can unpack the boxes of books and arrange them on tables or shelves.

Setup will take place on Tuesday, May 15 starting at 3 p.m. and going all afternoon until the library closes at 8:30 p.m. 

On Wednesday, May 16 set up continues starting at 10 a.m. How long setup continues on Wednesday depends on how many volunteers we have and how quickly we can get the sales room ready.
If you can help, even for a couple of hours, please send an e-mail to sheltonbooksale@gmail.com with your name, phone number, and what hours on Tuesday or Wednesday you can help."
Plumb Memorial Library is at 65 Wooster St.

Recuperation journey: Same bird?


When I went out in the backyard to take a photo of the beautiful sunset Tuesday I turned around, looked over the roof, and saw this robin in the tree. 

It looks a lot like the one I captured Tuesday morning in the same tree: 



Same one?