Annabella's Angels donates CuddleCot to Griffin Hospital in Derby

Contributed photo

Jessica and Matthew Ocasio of Annabella’s Angels present a donation of a CuddleCot at the Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital. Pictured from left are Griffin Spiritual Care Chaplin Eric Gramse, Melanie O’Leary, Griffin Development Fund Systems Coordinator, Naomi Gurdak, OB tech, Marge Fischer, RNC, MSN, Childbirth Center Clinical Director, Jessica and Matthew Ocasio, Kristen Richards, RN, and Gen Mayhew, RN.

DERBY - The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital will be able to give parents who have a stillbirth or later term miscarriage extra time with their child thanks to a CuddleCot donation.

Annabella's Angels, a nonprofit that raises funds to donate CuddleCots throughout the state, presented the Childbirth Center staff with the $3,000 device and a specially-designed bassinette April 24.

The CuddleCot keeps the body of the departed child cool so parents can have time to be with their child, have family visit, take pictures, take hand molds and receive religious blessings.

“Infant death is a harsh reality we cannot prevent and we cannot always foresee,” said Annabella’s Angels President and Founder Jessica Ocasio. “When parents are forced to say goodbye so shortly after hello, every minute matters.”

Jessica Ocasio and her husband Matthew formed the nonprofit in memory of their daughter, Annabella Grace, who was delivered stillborn at 18 weeks. 

Annabella's Angels has placed CuddleCots in St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury Hospital, Bristol Hospital, Hartford Hospital, and Bridgeport Hospital.

“We are very thankful to Jessica, Matthew, and everyone at Annabella’s Angels for this donation,” said Childbirth Center Clinical Director Marge Fischer, RNC, MSN, NEA-BC, C-EFM.
“The CuddleCot gives parents the precious gift of time with their child and can be a wonderful help in healing spiritually.”

For more information, visit annabellasangels.com.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Salvation Army in Ansonia wins plaudits at BHcare luncheon

ANSONIA - BHcare presented Major Wilder Garcia of the Salvation Army Greater Valley Corps with an Employer of the Year Award at its 24th annual employment salute Thursday in Holy Rosary Church hall. 
Since my husband Ralph and I are members of the Salvation Army's Advisory Board I wanted to post this before we publish coverage of the event in an upcoming issue of The Valley Voice newsletter. 

We congratulate Major Wilder Garcia and his wife, Major Dora Garcia, on this well-deserved recognition!

Valley United Way to kick off neighborhood gardens

SHELTON - The Valley United Way has announced kickoff dates for its successful “Grow Your Own” neighborhood garden program, taking place throughout May at various locations in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

The program began in 2015 and assists local residents with growing fresh fruits and vegetables in their own neighborhoods while learning to garden and helping to create unity and self-reliance within the community. 
Low-income area neighbors maintain and harvest produce from their gardens at no cost to the community. 
Participants also receive education on healthy eating habits and making better choices.

Kickoff dates and locations are:

· Friday - Seymour Community Center, 3:30     p.m.
· May 8 - Ansonia, YMCA, 3:30 p.m.
· May 11 - Derby, 5th and Olivia, 3:30 p.m.
· May 12 - Ansonia, Gatison Park, 10 a.m.
· May 18 - Derby, Library, 3:30 p.m.

• May 19 - Ansonia, Beaver Brook, 10 a.m.
• May 20 - Oxford, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Time TBD
• May 24 - Derby, Griffin Hospital, Time TBD
• May 25 - Ansonia, Pine Lot, 3:30 p.m.

To volunteer or become a Grow Your Own partner or sponsor, visit valleyunitedway.org or call 203-926-9478.


Valley United Way is a leading philanthropic organization serving the towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. Their mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and collaboration.

Recuperation journey: Searching for seeds

Morning in the backyard seen through the window.

Valley lawmaker asks constituents to sign petition opposing tolls

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you for writing and calling to express your opposition to tolls.

Your voices and advocacy have led to House Democrats reconsidering their position on tolls. The Speaker of the House announced [Wednesday] that he might not bring a tolls bill forward for a vote.

It appears we have won today, but we are not in the clear yet. We still have a week to go until the end of session and we need to continue to keep the pressure on.

I am circulating a petition to stop tolls, and I ask that you please take a moment to sign it! Please join me in sending a message to the majority party that we don't want tolls.

Sign my petition now!

Recuperation journey: Almost 5 and almost 3

My Throwback Thursday.

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.