Let's take a walk

Among Friends

News for friends and supporters of the
Friendship Service Center of New Britain

March 2011 - Vol. 3, No. 2

Caring for neighbors in need

In This Issue

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My, how you have grown!

Reggie Davis and Edith Miller Imagine her surprise when Edith Miller learned after a recent meeting of the Friends of the Friendship Center that Reggie Davis now lives in one of the apartments in the Friendship Center's new Arch Street Housing community.

Edith fondly remembers Reggie as the happy little boy in her Cub Scout troupe who was always singing and dancing. She even remembered a catchy tune he would sing when he exhibited his latest moves. That was in the late 1950's when Reggie attended Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in New Britain and lived in the Mt. Pleasant Housing Project.

After the next monthly Friends meeting, a reunion was arranged. Amid their laughter and a few tears Reggie remarked, "I remember you being much taller!" as he hugged the petite former den mother. That brought even more smiles.

Reggie then proudly showed off his neatly-kept, tastefully-decorated one-bedroom apartment at 85 Arch Street. It was the "icing on the cake" for this sweet reunion for both Edith and Reggie.

An extra big THANKS!

Overnight shelter staff (front row, from left): Linda Silva, Denise Dube, Carol LaFrance and Jenny Colon. Back row: Donna Bergin, Programs Director, Kathy Johnston and Ken Wardsworth. Not shown in photo: Patricia Melfort, Lydia Mena and Derek Newton.

Photo by Greg McCloud

During a recent all-staff meeting, the Friendship Center's overnight shelter staff received well- deserved recognition and thanks from their colleagues. "You have shown extraordinary patience and compassion this year, particularly in dealing with the overflow guests who came in out of the bitter cold weather to sleep in our shelter," said Executive Director Ellen Perkins Simpson. "These have been exceedingly challenging circumstances and your hospitality is a testament to the way we approach our mission, greeting each person as a unique and special child of God."

We're proud of you!

Let's take a Walk!

Friendship Service Center Archangels are counting on you to get in step for the Walk on May 1st!

The 28th Annual

Walk Against Hunger

Sunday, May 1, 2011

1:00 p.m. check in / 2:00 p.m. step off

Woohoo! It's time again to kick into gear for Foodshare's Walk Against Hunger, an annual community fundraiser that helps to feed 128,000 people (including 50,000 children) who are hungry all through the year. Walkers may designate a specific agency to benefit directly from the funds they raise, and the Friendship Center is one of those agencies.

Funds designated to the Friendship Center support the Community Kitchen and Emergency Shelter at 241 Arch Street where last year more than 90,000 meals and snacks were served to friends in need. Funds raised in the Walk make that possible.

There are many ways to participate.

Sign up to Walk the Walk, designate the Friendship Service Center and start raising sponsor dollars (online and/or offline)
Join the Friendship Center Archangels walk team
Create a team and recruit family, friends, co-workers and church members to walk with you
Walk "in spirit" by supporting a walker

So, step up and step off with us to end hunger. Register at Foodshare by clicking the link below. You may also contact Kathy Cooley at 860-225-0211, x-202 for information and materials.

Click for Foodshare website; Click again on Walk icon

Walk 2010 - Walkers on Asylum Ave.

Article Headline

Friendship Service Center of New Britain, Inc.
P.O. Box 1896, New Britain, CT 06050-1896
Phone 860-225-0211 Fax 860-348-9040 info@friendshipservicecenter.org