Chamber’s Gifts for Canton Project Again Meets Needs of the Less Fortunate

Imagine not having food on the table or presents for your family over the holidays. That did not happen during the recent winter holidays in Canton thanks to our town’s many residents, organizations, and businesses. In the beginning of December, the Gifts for Canton Committee was concerned because donations were down to an all-time low. 

The drive had already been in progress for several weeks and there was virtually nothing in the distribution boxes. Very few donations had been received except those in the coin boxes at Bahre’s Package Store and Rice Fields restaurant, and  proceeds from the Sam Collins Day Bounce House hosted by The Bagel Deli, Harmon Travel and Planning Partners. A generous donation from Dentfix Express, proceeds from its fundraiser in early November, was also a big help.

We were afraid that we would not be able to provide enough gifts, food and necessity gift cards for the Canton residents that needed them this year. All that changed — starting at the Canton Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party on December 3 — culminating with the Canton Police Department’s “Stock the Cruiser” project on December 8, hosted by the The Shoppes at Farmington at Valley, and pick up of the distribution boxes on December 10. You made this happen! Many thanks to all of you for helping your neighbors enjoy a great holiday season. The list below is long, but so is the appreciation you all deserve. My sincere apologies to any person or business that might have been unintentionally omitted.

2012 Fundraisers
—Coin boxes in businesses including Bahre’s Package Store, LaTrattoria, Rice Fields and Scotty’s Package Store
—Gift collection boxes in over 35 locations and businesses Nov. 15 thru Dec. 10
—Sam Collins Day Bounce House provided by The Bagel Deli, Harmon Travel, and Planning Partners
—Dentfix Express Paintless Dent Removal Clinic
—Canton Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party
—Canton Police Department's Stuff the Cruiser project hosted at The Shoppes at Farmington Valley —Panacea Reflexology for Charity Day

2012 Volunteers
Volunteers help in so many ways; including storage, distribution and pick up of gift collection boxes and coin boxes, selling of raffle tickets at the Holiday party, supplying food and beverages for the Chamber’s Holiday Party, sorting gifts prior to distribution day, attending and helping at the various fund raisers, delivering, displaying and working at distribution day.

Olga Agostini, Chief Chris Arciero, Hannah Aron, Debbie Asaro, Henry Bahre, Trish & Eduardo Barrios, Karen Berger, Officer Joe Capaldo, Dennis Cardello, Alicia Canning, Donna Carney, Kathy Corkum, Officer John Colangelo, Mike D’Apice, Tammy & Ken Davis, Sergeant Tyson DeLoy, Officer Mark Ferrecchia, Rick Gagnon, Dan Garza, Marge & Gordon Harmon, Lori Heath, Warren Horton & Arthur A. Horton, Inc., Elaine Howland, Kevin Jackson, Linda King, Officer Beverly LaPlume, Dispatcher J. T. Lederman, Deneen & Bruce Lockwood, Gary Miller, Barbara Murphy, Melissa Kelly Osden, Kristin Oswald, Sergeant Mark Penney, Peg Pinton, Anne Raftery, Officer David Rodriquez, Madison & Avery Rodriquez, Amanda Roberto, Steve Roberto, Travon Sexton & family, Reverend Linda Spiers, Kevin Smith, Dillon Smith, Rebecca Stevenson, Beth Terra, Village Café,  Alyce Walker, Detective Kevin Wilkinson, Ryan Wilkinson, Phil Worley, Carol & Stephen York.

2012 Canton Businesses, Chamber Members, Organizations, Individuals
Many Canton Businesses, Canton Chamber Members, organizations, and individuals helped tremendously by allowing gift boxes and coin boxes in their businesses, donating financially, donating gifts and/or gift certificates, donating raffle prizes to help raise funds, etc. These include Ace Marketing and Sales, Peter Andrighetti, A&J Quality Roofing, AT&T, Henry Bahre, Bahre’s Package Store, Bearingstar Financial, Bank of America, The Bagel Deli, Charles Bark, Carol & Dick Barlow, Trish & Eduardo Barrios, Dr. Charles Bonelli, Rick Bowen, Alicia Canning, Cake Gypsy, Canton Barn, Canton Chamber of Commerce, Canton Indoor Golf,  Canton Valley Dental, all Canton Public Schools, Cherry Brook Primary School Mitten Tree, Canton Middle School & High School Dress Down Day, Canton Police Department, Canton Police Department Stock the Cruiser, Canton Lions Club, Canton Valley Dental, Canton Village Shopping Center, Canton Historical Museum, Canton Senior Center, Canton Public Library, Canton McDonald’s, Canton Food Bank, Canton Midas, Donna Carney/ Dynamite Party Planners,  Carol & Co., Classic Home Design and Collinsville Congregational Church.  

Also, Collinsville Savings Society, Cook & Kozlak Flooring Center, Inc., Cake Gypsy, Alicia Canning, Cherry Brook Health Care Center, Curves, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Comes A Time Power Washing, Dentfix Express Paintless Dent Removal Fundraiser, Dynamic Auto Works, Mary Eller, Farmington Dance, Farmington Valley Stage Company, John Fitts, Joan Flagg, Flatbread Company,  Harmon Travel, Walt Hampton, Bill Henson, Brian Henson, Warren Horton, Arthur A. Horton, Inc., Ronald Huston, Girl Scout Troop #61245, Mark Jayne, Chuck Joseph & family, Jeannine Fundraising, Dan Kalat, Brandi Killoran, Kohl’s, LaTrattoria, Larsen Ace Hardware, Fred Larsen Sr., Fred Larsen Jr.,  LaSalle Market & Deli, Tim LeGeyt, Little Hands Big Ideas, Bette & Arthur Lowell, Debbie & Gary Miller, Miller Properties, Midas Auto Service, McDonald’s of Canton, Barbara Murphy,  Nancy Nation and Constance Wittneben.

Thanks also to New England Appliance, New England Scrapbook Co, North Canton Community United Methodist Church, O’Neill’s Chevrolet Buick, Optimal Being, Panacea, Planning Partners, Peg Pinton, Charlie Richardson, Rotary Club of Avon-Canton, Amanda Roberto, Steve Roberto, Rice Fields, Denise Robidoux,  Brian Roderick, Eileen & Haig Shahverdian, Stepping Stones, ShopRite of Canton, Suburban Sanitation,  The Shoppes at Farmington Valley, Travon Sexton, Trading Post, Trinity Episcopal Church, Trinity Nursery School, Utility Analysts, Union Savings Bank, Valley Ballet, Valley Sports Center, Constance Wittneben, John Whitney, Phil Worley, and the many other wonderful anonymous people who donate and volunteer.

Watch for more information about upcoming Gifts for Canton benefits starring Chris Sheehan & Conrad Doty.          

Gifts for Canton also serves Canton residents throughout the year as needs arise. Financial donations can be sent year round to the Canton Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 704, Canton, CT 06019 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! And thank you for giving of yourselves to help your neighbors.