Dear Editor:
On behalf of the New Canaan Parent Support Group and New Canaan Community Foundation, I thank the people of our town for uniting together during our 2nd Annual Community Overdose Awareness Vigil on August 30 in downtown New Canaan.
This event had three goals: 1) to honor and remember those who died too soon; and 2) to come together as a community to openly discuss addiction and pathways to recovery; and 3) learn how we can all help others to heal.
First, I would like to thank my family especially my wife Marge for supporting me through the last four months of planning, and my son Evan for his memory and energy providing inspiration.
Secondly, I would like to thank New Canaan Community Foundation, our hard-working Event Committee (Team Orange), our Speakers, and the many members of our Faith Community—led by Rob Kinnally of St. Aloysius and Stuart Knechtle of Grace Community Church.
In addition, a special thanks is owed to the Town of New Canaan, including: Kevin Moynihan, Tom Stadler; Leon Krolikowski (NCPD), Tiger Mann, Mose Saccary, and Steve Benko. Also, many thanks to: Tucker Murphy and Laura Budd of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce; Arnold Karp of Karp Associates; Megan Ferrell and Rob Schwartz of St. Mark’s Church; Steve Curtin of Northeast Tent Productions; Doug Pippitt of New Canaan Florist; Mike Campbell of Campbell Tech Designs; Christine Simmons of Simmons Portraiture; NCHS SLOBs Organization, NCHS Broadcasting Student James Singer; Sarah Klearman; and UConn Interns Dan Kamzik & Emily Serven. I apologize if I missed someone!
Sincerely,
Paul Reinhardt, Founder, New Canaan Parent Support Group
2nd Annual Overdose Awareness Vigil, August 30th, 2018 in the Pop Up Park, New Canaan:
Hosts: New Canaan Parent Support Group and New Canaan Community Foundation
Sponsors: Bankwell, Communities4Action, Exchange Club of New Canaan, Karl Chevrolet, Kids in Crisis, Knights of Columbus—St. Aloysius, Lighthouse CT, Lions Club of New Canaan, Mountainside Treatment Center, New Canaan CARES, New Canaan Coalition, New Canaan YMCA, Newport Academy, Ram Council, Silver Hill Hospital, St. Mark’s Outreach Commission, Town of New Canaan.
Speakers: John Hamilton (MC), Cini Shaw, Dan Holland, Eve Fleming, Kim Hyde
Clergy: Chabad New Canaan—Levi Mendelow; Congregational Church of NC–Chapin Garner, Eric Dupee; First Church of Christ, Scientist–Barbara Jeffries; First Congregational Church of Darien—Dale Rosenberger; First Presbyterian–Kibbie Laird; Grace Community Church – Stuart Knechtle; Grace Farms – Lisa Lynne; Noroton Presbyterian Church—Brandi Drake; St. Aloysius–Rob Kinnally; St. Mark’s–Justin Crisp, Peter Walsh; St. Michael’s–Derrick Fallon; Silver Hill Hospital–Cheryl Bundy; United Methodist–Eric Fjeldal; Waveny Care Center–Tom Lilly; Wilton Presbyterian Church—Shannon White;
Team Orange: Cyra Borsy, Ellen Brezovsky, Peter Clark, Nick deSpoelberch, Jackie D’Louhy, Emma Kate Freatman, Ingrid Gillespie, Nicki Jezairian, Leo Karl, Diane Knetzger, Hannah Knox, Trey Laird, Susannah Lewis, Tracey Masella, Iris McClean, Lance Minor, Chris Otis, Lauren Patterson, Kristin Toner Reed, Michelle, Robinson, Thea Ross, Joyce Sixsmith, and Jenny Urbahn
Musicians: Scott Troyer, Ben Dean, and Caleb Nelson
Leaders of Local Schools: Aaron Cooper, Head of School—New Canaan Country School; Mark Davis—Head of School, St. Luke’s School; Brian Luizzi, Superintendent—New Canaan Public Schools.