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Published: Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Register Citizen
Torrington, CT
TORRINGTON — A 20th anniversary fund-raising goal for Warm the Children has been reached and exceeded, thanks to the generosity of more than 400 Register Citizen readers, local residents, clubs and businesses.
A joint program of the United Way of Northwest Connecticut and The Register Citizen, Warm the Children provides new, warm, winter clothing to local children in need.
The campaign generated contributions of $20,658 this year, enough to benefit 206 children.
To mark the program’s 20th anniversary, this year’s goal was set at $20,000, roughly 33 percent higher than last year’s total.
“The generosity of this community is amazing,” said Register Citizen Publisher Matt DeRienzo. “Here we are in a time of economic fear and uncertainty, and readers have stepped up their giving because they know that the need is great this year.”
The biggest percentage of Warm the Children donations come in the form of checks for $10 or $15, many from people who have been giving every year since the program was founded.
Then there was the $1,000 check that arrived from Frederick, Md., $126 from the Harwinton Consolidated School, and $770 from staff at Goshen Center School
The Torrington Wal-Mart stepped up with a check for $1,000 this year. Valerie Manor contributed $250 to Warm the Children this year in lieu of holding a staff Christmas party this year.
The Litchfield County Legal Secretaries Association sent $300, and the Valley Thrift Shop of Winsted, like it has for a number of years, gave another $450.
Actex Publications collected contributions of $234.48 from its staff, and kicked in another $500 from the company.
The Civitan Club of Torrington gave $100, and the Torrington Rotary Club another $125.
Numerous area residents contributed to Warm the Children in the memory of a loved one.
And when the campaign seemed stuck about $800 short of its goal, a Register Citizen reader called up with a challenge – he would donate $100 if seven other readers stepped up to do the same.
We published news of his offer, and Warm the Children’s $20,000 goal was reached the very next day.
More than 4,200 children have been helped in Warm the Children’s 20-year history in Northwest Connecticut.
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