News & Events

For Helen 5 Was A Fantastic Number

December is boot month at TVCCA’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). The 14th Annual Santa Anonymous Winter Boot Program is winding down with just the last few pair ready for delivery. Last count we had received 810 pair of boots. The referrals came from the local participating Elementary Schools, TVCCA’s Head Start and Little Learners Program.

These are tough economic times for many families in our community. A large percentage of our sponsors and community members return year after year to participate in the boot program. Without their support a lot of children would be deprived of having a basic human need such as appropriate foot ware.

Helen Granskog, our Program Support staff member, coordinated the boot program this year. There was no way for Helen to be fully prepared for the final stage of the boot project. We did caution her. As the boots started coming into the office and we needed to move into a third office for the wall to wall storage, Helen began to get the picture of what was about to happen. How was she going to get all these boots delivered in time for the Holidays? Well! As fate would have it along came Officer Rodgers. He stopped in at our office located at 83 Huntington Street because he wanted to buy a pair of boots for one of our children. We had pretty much matched all of our referrals at that point in time so Helen asked if he could help with the delivery. Officer Rodgers did not hesitate to respond with a great big welcomed “Yes” and an offer to get some other officers from the New London Police Department to help also.

On Wednesday December 16th as promised Officer Rodgers accompanied by officers Adkins, Bunkley, J. Bergeson and J. Burbank piled all of the boots into their vans and delivered 300 pair to 4 New London Elementary Schools. They also made a stop at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital Volunteer Department where they bagged boots for delivery. WAY TO GO GUYS. You put a great big smile on Helens face. Helen had made calls to several businesses seeking help delivering the boots however she was not able to get commitment. On behalf of all of us at TVCCA’s Retired & Senior Volunteer Program we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are to be commended for your willingness to help in your community.

Submitted by:
Cathy Visco, Program Director