From Newtown, PA to Newtown, CT, with Love

Posted by Gadi Naaman

on Jun 03, 2013

When Council Rock North Juniors, Laura Kwasnoski and Yinzi Xin learned about the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, they wanted to do something. They presented their idea to the Student Executive Board (SEB) and their advisors, Ben Battiste and Mike Fink.

Using the slogan ‘Love from Newtown to Newtown’ they recruited many more Council Rock students by word of mouth and utilizing social networks.

Within a few weeks the students collected several hundred (perhaps as many as 800)
stuffed animals and more than $3000 to send to the children of Newtown, CT.

The Newtown (PA) Rotary Club contacted the Rotary Club in Newtown (CT) and arranged for the transfer of funds. The stuffed animals however, presented a bigger challenge.

Due to the overwhelming response from communities throughout the U.S., no more toys could be accepted. The students approached the Rotary Club to see if they could find a home for these toys. With help from Rotarians Rick Rogers, Lee Nolting and Jerry Agasar, the toys were distributed to children through the following organizations (click on more for rest of story):

Front Row L-R: Lee Nolting, Samantha Renck, Mike Gehrsitz

Second Row: Mr. Battiste, Kara McCullough, Madison Schenker

Third Row: Annie Blankemeyer, Aubrey Deon

 Bucks County Emergency Homeless Shelter in Levittown. (Run by Family Services Association of Bucks County).

 Rotaplast International. A non‐profit, humanitarian organization founded in 1992 as a world community service project of the Rotary Club of San Francisco . Rotaplast is committed to changing lives through reconstructive surgery and has performed 15,000 surgeries in twenty four countries around the world.

 The Salvation Army Levittown Corps Community Center, a non‐profit organization, located in the Appletree Section of Levittown, PA, has been meeting human needs in God's name without discrimination in Bucks County since 1898. Every year more than 40,000 Bucks County residents

in need are provided with crucial assistance. About 87 cents of every dollar raised is used to support these services for those in need right here in our local community.

Front Row L‐R: Lee Nolting, Samantha Renck, Mike Gehrsitz
Second Row: Mr. Battiste, Kara McCullough, Madison Schenker
Third Row: Annie Blankemeyer, Aubrey Deon

The Newtown Rotary Club together with The Newtown Business Association (NBA) will hold its annual Golf Outing on September 23, 2013. Check the web site www.Newtownrotary.org for details. Members of the community are invited to participate. Proceeds will benefit Pickering Manor, the only community-owned and operated senior living facility in the Commonwealth of PA that offers Skilled Nursing, as well as Independent living option.

Rotary International is the world's first service club organization. Its more than 1.2 million members volunteer their time and talent to further the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self”. The Newtown Rotary Club, founded in 1953, has served the local and international communities for 60 years. The club meets at The Temperance House, 5 South State Street, Newtown, PA. All meetings are Wednesday luncheons
from 12:15 to 1:30 pm.