Recuperation journey: Sunny Sunday scenes in Derby

... at Osbornedale State Park

and on the Green in a deserted downtown.

Stay safe all!

Sharing message from Seymour Pink Founder/President Mary Deming

Dear Friends of Seymour Pink,   First, and most importantly, I hope you are doing well and safe during this incredibly difficult time of uncertainty. We are experiencing such a rapid change in our normal day-to-day activities. Our typical day to day routines have been altered drastically. For most, if not all of us, nothing seems “normal.”   For Seymour Pink our mission has not changed. We will continue to financially assist those victimized by the breast cancer diagnosis as best we are able to do.  Unfortunately, with the social distancing that we MUST all practice, our income will be greatly impacted over these next few months. As a result, so will our available funds we rely on to help financially assist our breast cancer patients   As much as we would like nothing more than to return to hosting our fundraisers, in order to raise funds to support our mission, practicing social distancing and the guidelines set in place by Federal, State and Local officials is an ABSOLUTE MUST!   Although these are difficult times, unpredictable times, they are TEMPORARY times! EACH day brings us opportunities to come together in SPIRIT, to continue to be there for others by spreading HOPE and PROMISE that on the other side of this, we will be TOGETHER again, joining hands and hearts as one!   To all of our incredibly dedicated volunteers, supporters, sponsors, and our brave and courageous breast cancer survivors, we are forever grateful for your commitment to Pink.   From all of us at Seymour Pink, to each and every one of you, may you stay safe, and healthy! Mary Deming Founder/President Seymour Pink, Inc. www.seymourpink.com seymourpink09@aol.com SEYMOUR PINK |  www.seymourpink.com  ‌  ‌

Ansonia 'goes blue' to fight pandemic

Sharing from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

"Ansonia goes blue to fight Coronavirus"
"Lisa Nicolari, a health teacher at Ansonia Middle School, along with City Treasurer Judy Larkin Nicolari, came up with the idea for Ansonia to go blue for the fight of the Coronavirus. 
Coming together as a community, let's turn Ansonia blue with lights, blue ribbons, or any idea you may have, as we get through this current health crisis."

This is a great idea! Thanks go to Lisa and her mom for getting us all together as a community. 

Recuperation journey: Another day at home

Goals for Sunday:

1) Enjoy a hearty breakfast

2) Finish reading "War and Peace"

3) Take photos of birds in yard

4) Take a walk

5) Take a nap

6) Decide where to get tonight's takeout

7) Feel happy that we supported a local restaurant during these unsettled times

Sharing request from Storm Engine Rescue and Ambulance Corps in Derby

Supplies Request

"We are turning to the public for help with our dwindling supply of PPE and cleaning supplies. It is nearly impossible for us to find supplies anywhere at this point. Our members are out on the front lines protecting our community and we need to be able to protect them and in turn be able to make sure all of our equipment can be cleaned.

"With many nonessential businesses already closed or closing this coming week, we ask that you donate the supplies you may have to your local first responders as they are in dire need of it.

"Some things we are looking for:
N95 Masks
P100 Masks
Surgical Masks
Disposable Gowns
Disposable Coveralls
Safety Glasses
Disinfectant Sprays
Disinfecting Wipes
Hand Sanitizer

"We are located at 151 Olivia St, Derby, CT 06418. Please contact us before stopping by. You can email us at derbystormambulance@gmail.com to let us know what you have and to set up a time to drop off.

"It is not just us in need of supplies. If you do not live in our community and are looking to donate, consider contacting your local Ambulance Services, Fire Departments, or Police Departments."

COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund established to aid Valley nonprofits

Community partners collaborate in response to virus

DERBY - In response to COVID-19, the Valley Community Foundation (VCF), Valley United Way (VUW), Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce (GVCC), and the Valley Health & Human Services Council (Council) have come together to establish the Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to rapidly deploy resources to organizations who support those in the area who are most significantly affected by the pandemic. 

The Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund will provide flexible resources to organizations throughout the Valley that serve the Valley region, especially to those who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak. 

The Fund is designed to complement the work of federal, state, and municipal government efforts and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible. 

This Fund will serve as the repository for donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations with VCF serving as the backbone and fiscal agent. 

To support the Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, visit www.valleyfoundation.org. Gifts via credit card are strongly preferred over checks to reduce processing time. 

Checks can however be made out to Valley Community Response and Recovery Fund and mailed to 253-A Elizabeth St., Derby, CT 06418.

Sharon Closius, VCF President & CEO, said, “Time after time, we are reminded about the strength and perseverance of the Valley community. We are all in this together and, by working alongside one another, we can accomplish far more than what we could do individually. While these may be challenging times, there are meaningful opportunities to create impact in flattening the curve of this virus, supporting the organizations that are creating new measures, and assisting those most in need. The Valley Community Response and Recovery Fund was established together with our regional nonprofit leaders so we can effectively, efficiently, and rapidly deploy resources throughout the community and to nonprofits serving the Valley.”

David Kennedy, Interim President and Chief Operating Officer of Valley United Way, added, “Our United Way is pleased to be a part of this collaborative effort to help support the nonprofits in our community that are on the front line and meeting daily to address the challenges of this virus, which is affecting so very many. I’m very confident that this Fund will be a welcome resource for the business community and individuals who have been asking, ‘What can I do to help the local community?’”

Bill Purcell, President of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, said, “Corporate philanthropy has long been a hallmark of the Valley community, and the Chamber will certainly make our member businesses aware of this new and timely initiative to support those most impacted by this crisis.”

David Morgan, President/CEO of TEAM, Inc. and Valley Council Co-Chair, said, “This is a complicated time, yet it has never been more clear in how well we collectively come together to effectively respond and recover in this region, made possible by the exceptionalism of the Valley Community Foundation, Valley United Way, Valley Chamber, and the Valley Council for Health and Human Services.”

Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Spooner House and Valley Council Co-Chair, said, “We are facing an unprecedented challenge in light of this pandemic, and the Valley community has joined together to respond quickly and effectively to address the needs. The member agencies of Valley Council for Health and Human Services continue to work tirelessly to meet the essential needs of those we serve, including: food, shelter, child care, mental and physical health care, and more. Our partners at Valley Community Foundation, Valley United Way, and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce have stepped up to lead the efforts to ensure that these agencies have the resources required to respond to this crisis and are able to recover once it has passed, maintaining continuity of services to our constituents.”

Through this collaboration, VCF, VUW, GVCC, and the Council, both short- and long-term support will be made as the Valley begins to cope with the results from this pandemic. Together, these community partners aim to provide the necessary efforts to stabilize the Valley in the aftermath of this pandemic.

About The Valley Community Foundation
Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes approximately $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. In addition to grantmaking, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF), to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives funding from The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. 
For more information, visit www.valleyfoundation.org.

This is a press release from Valley Community Foundation.

Newsletter highlights Naugatuck Valley Health District info on COVID-19