Among Friends

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

December 2013 - Vol. 5, No. 6
Caring for neighbors in need
Thought for the holidays...
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The journey of Jesus's love throughout the world 
was a direct journey into the hearts of the poor.  
The Friendship Service Center continues to 
reflect that journey.

Jo-Ann Staves
Old Lyme, Connecticut
 
Home is where there is love
The wise women who are members of the Friends of the Friendship Service Center know that home can be anywhere that a person feels loved.  In that spirit, this group of friends bands together each year to sort and wrap Christmas gifts for individuals and families in temporary residence at the Emergency Shelter.  
        Hundreds of gifts are contributed by in-kind donors: individuals, families, companies, congregations and civic groups.  Stacy Smith, service coordinator, and Jessica Caraballo, residential supervisor, helped this year to select appropriate gifts for each of the residents.  Then, the Friends of the Friendship Center made the gifts beautiful with papers, ribbons and name tags.
        Thank you, dear Friends, for all you do to make the shelter seem more like home for the residents all through the year.  But mostly, thank you for sharing your love.   
You can't make old friends...
We love it when our good friends from Acadia Insurance Group in Rocky Hill drop by.  We enjoy their company, plus they always come bearing gifts.  This year, they contributed a generous grant, plus a shopping bag filled to the brim with toiletries for the residents of the emergency shelter. Ellen Perkins Simpson, executive director, shows her appreciation to Acadia underwriters Paul Postle (left) and Dave Walsh.  The Friendship Center celebrates its long-term community partnership with Acadia Insurance and its parent company W. R. Berkley Corporation Charitable Foundation.
  
 
We also were delighted to welcome friends from Farmington Bank who dropped off a $10,000 grant to support basic needs services for those who turn to the Friendship Center for food, shelter, friendship, acceptance and hope.  Ellen Perkins Simpson is all smiles as she gratefully accepted the award from the Farmington Bank Community Foundation.  With Ellen are Scott Blois, senior vice president, Commercial Lending (left), and Thomas Cook, vice president, Community Lending.  Thomas Cook also serves on the Friendship Center's Board of Directors. 

 The journey continues...
We are grateful to Jo-Ann Staves, former member our Board of Directors, for so beautifully putting into words (above) what we as staff and volunteers experience every day at the Friendship Center.  We invite you to join us as we continue the journey that we are privileged to walk with all who turn to us for caring and support.
     If you have not already made your annual gift to the Friendship Center, you can do it easily with a few clicks of your mouse.  Click the Donate NOW button below and you will be taken to an online non-profit donation processor aptly named "Just Give." 
     Thank you for your support.  May the grace, peace and joy of Christmas be with you throughout the New Year.

Donate NOW!

 


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Friendship Service Center of New Britain, Inc.
P.O. Box 1896, New Britain, CT 06050-1896
Phone 860-225-0211    Fax 860-348-9040    [email protected]