By Kathy Brown.
The previous articles in this series can be found HERE and HERE (you can find mask pattern links and other programs running in the community in those articles, including a car-ride Easter Egg Hunt).
I love seeing the positive things in our community that are encouraging others in this time of upheaval. I have heard of people getting groceries and running errands for the elderly, to keep them safe. I have seen many pictures on social media of people picking up trash on their walks to get out of the house to clean up the roads in our community. I have seen kindness and gratitude in our community.
Give a Heart … Make a Heart Project
Tanya Bottaro, of Haddam, has delivered the first of several wooden hearts that they made over the weekend to let others know they care and appreciate all of their neighbors and friends. They shared the idea on the “You Live in Higganum if…” Facebook page, and added, “If you know of a family or local healthcare worker who you think would like one of these hearts, please message me.” Tanya works for William Raveis Real Estate in Middletown as a Realtor. During a Zoom meeting, they brainstormed ways to show their thanks to the community, “especially on the front lines,” said Tanya. “My husband and I decided to turn that into something we could make from materials we have and put them up locally to thanks those who are on the front lines of this every day. We know a lot of friends and families who are working in these areas.”
She hopes others will join in, who might have leftover plywood and red paint at home and hang hearts at homes and businesses. If you know of someone in healthcare that should receive a heart, email Tanya at tanyabottaro@comcast.net.
Masks
Annette Cook has made masks, and is giving them to Killingworth residents. On Tuesday, April 7, she gave out 85 masks, along with 20 on her way there. She will be again be available on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Killingworth Transfer Station to give away masks to residents who need them. “I’ll keep doing it as long as there’s a need,” she said, “and as long as my sewing machines hold up!”
Kate Novick is spearheading the mask making effort for Killingworth Town Hall. She says there are six people making masks and donating them to the Killingworth Dropbox inside the back door of the Killingworth Town Hall. Some have been given to Yale and other health care facilities, some of the masks are going to essential workers and caretakers of the frail and elderly, and there are masks available to the general public as well. People can request masks by calling the Town Hall at 860-663-1735 ext. 201. The people who are making those masks need donations of elastic (1/4″ or 1/2″) and 1oo% cotton woven fabric that “men would feel comfortable wearing.” According to Kate, over 150 handmade masks have been donated to the Killingworth Dropbox so far.
In Haddam, they are also making masks for healthcare workers, and for local essential employees. Contact Social Services if you can help.
HK Backpack Program
The HK Backpack program has been around since 2015 serving children in our school district. They are 100% volunteer and donation run and rely heavily on the generosity of residents of Haddam and Killingworth. Even though school has transferred to Distance Learning, the families that the HK Backpack program supports are still coming weekly directly to the pantry in Killingworth to pick up bags of food. “We definitely need donations such as milk, canned chicken, cereal, oatmeal, or even cash for the volunteers to go buy groceries,” said Amber Stamm, who runs the program. “I’m having a really hard time getting food since everything we normally buy is unavailable. We will continue to provide for as long as we can.”
They are taking fresh and frozen food as well, since Amber is handing food directly to families at this time. Personal hygiene items are also needed, such as toilet paper, baby wipes, and diapers.  “If people not enrolled in the Backpack Program need food they should call the Killingworth Municipal Agent, Haddam Social Services or email me at hkbackpackprogram@gmail.com,” said Amber Stamm. “The three groups are working together to provide assistance to our community members.”
Paying it Forward
Vinnie Scileppi, Haddam resident, and owner of Illiano’s Ristorante, donated 25 pizzas for lunch to Hartford Hospital on April 8, 2020. On April 7, they delivered 25 pizzas to Middlesex Hospital to feed those working in CCU and IMCU. “We have a good amount of hospital employees that frequent our location on S Main Street on a regular basis,” said Vinnie. “With the crazy hours and schedules that have been asked of the medical professionals in our state, we can see the physical emotional strain that they are enduring and we are just hoping to help them through the tough days on shift.”
If you want to help Illiano’s feed healthcare workers, go to their website, and if you go to “Order Online” you can choose how much to donate under “Hospital Staff Support.” They said on their Facebook page, “We will continue to match all proceeds raised to feed area hospitals and front line workers.”
Getting Fit Together
Beth Gagliardi, a teacher at HKMS and a Killingworth resident, started a Facebook group called “Staying Fit during COVID-19.” On it, she’s posting links to free/affordable exercise ideas and videos from local fitness studios, and other online resources. If you want to stay fit while you’re in quarantine, check it out.
