Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Save The Date!

The United Way of Northwest Connecticut will once again hold the ever-popular Glow Ball Golf Tournament on Friday, September 20, 2013! The event, which will be held at Eastwoods Country Club in Torrington, with food and refreshments provided by P.Sam's Bar & Grill, will be open to the first 72 paid golfers. 
Sponsorships levels are: Golf - $1,000 (includes 4 golfers); Eagle - $500; Birdie - $325; Par - $250; Bogey - $200; Double Bogey - $125; and Tee - $75.
Want to register early? Call the United Way at (860) 489-4131 or Eastwoods Pro Shop at (860) 489-2630.

United Way Distributes Donated Books

At the start of the summer, the United Way of Northwest Connecticut received about 3,000 pounds of reference material from Scholastic Books! The books were distributed to several area schools for use by their middle school students.

United Way Golf Success!

The annual United Way of Northwest Connecticut golf tournament raised approximately $14,000 for the United Way.  The tournament plays an important role in raising additional funds for the United Way, especially in light of a lagging economy in Northwest Connecticut.

Women's Gala Raises Funds!

The United Way of Northwest Connecticut's women's gala held in May raised $3,082, which will be invested into a young girls leadership program. The Women's Leadership Initiative Committee is in the process of recruiting members and forming subcommittees.

Monday, July 22, 2013

United Way Holds Community Leaders Breakfast

The United Way of Northwest Connecticut recently hosted a community leaders breakfast to raise awareness about poverty in its service area. Visit   http://www.northwestunitedway.org/community-leaders-breakfast to learn more.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Ladies N' Lyrics Concert

A summer concert will be held this Saturday, July 20, at the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum, 192 Main St, Torrington, from 7-10 p.m.  The concert will feature songwriters and singers Kathleen Kruze, Lisa Martin, and Lara Herscovitch. Adam Cyr will accompany on saxophone. 
For further information, contact the songwriters network at 860-387-3336 or visit http://ladiesandlyrics7-20.eventbrite.com

Monday, July 15, 2013

Extreme Heat Precautions

EXTREME HEAT PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY TIPS (provided by United Way of Connecticut, 2-1-1) 

Exposure to high temperatures and humidity may result in a heat-related illness.
Heat-related illnesses include:
Heat Cramps:
Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms-usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs-that may occur in association with strenuous activity.  Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.  If you have heart problems or are on a low-sodium diet, seek medical attention for heat cramps.
Heat Exhaustion:
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heart-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Elderly people and those with high blood pressure, and those working or exercising in a hot environment are most prone to heat exhaustion.
Heat stroke:
Heat stroke is the most serious-heart related illness.  It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down.  Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes.  Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
For more information go to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention: Extreme Heat, http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.asp
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection offer the following tips during extreme high temperatures:
  • Slow down, and avoid strenuous activity.
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature. Protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
  • Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. They can actually dehydrate your body.
  • Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals.
  • Stay indoors as much as possible.
  • If you do not have air conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help evaporate sweat, which cools your body.
  • Go to a place where you can get relief from the heat, such as air conditioned schools, libraries, theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities that may offer refuge during the warmest times of the day.
  • Cover windows that get morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent
  • Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin’s ability to cool itself. If you are outside, use sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating.
  • Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle.
  • Do not leave pets outside for extended periods. Make sure pets have plenty of drinking water.
  • Check on family, friends, and neighbors regularly.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
To find a temporary shelter during heat wave type weather: Search by service term:  Extreme Heat Cooling Centers

Local Cooling Centers

Are you a Torrington or Winsted resident looking for a local cooling center? The following sites are available:

In Torrington, from Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19:
Sullivan Senior Center, 88 East Albert Street, 9-5 p.m. (Senior citizens only)
Register Citizen, 59 Field Street, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Torrington Health & Rehab, 225 Wyoming Ave., 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Torrington City Hall Auditorium, 140 Main St., 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

In Winsted:
Winchester Town Hall, 338 Main Street, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. handicap accessible, no pets
Blanche McCarthy Senior Center, 80 Holabird Ave., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., handicap accessible, no pets, open to Winsted and Winchester seniors only


Recommended Summer Reading for Children

Are you looking for some fun books suitable for children in grades K through 6?  Consider some of the following titles as provided by United Way Worldwide:

Grades K-3: 
Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! by Geoffrey Hayes
Birds, by Kevin Henkes
The Curious Garden, by Peter Brown
I Spy Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold
My Abuelita, by Tony Johnston
Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors, by Joyce Sidman

Grades 4-6:
Cirque du Freak, by Darren Shan
The Cricket in Times Square, by George Selden
Fudge-A-Mania, by Judy Blume
Kid vs Squid, by Greg van Eekhout
Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry
Planet Earth: What Planet Are You On? by Dan Green
Zebrafish, by Peter H. Reynolds

For other ideas, consult your local library, the National Education Association's Educator's Top 100 Children's Books, Oprah.com's Kids' Reading Lists, the International Reading Association's Children's Choices Booklist, or Parents Magazine.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Money Workshop for Kids

A money workshop for kids ages 9 and up will be held on Saturday, July 20 from 9:30 - 12:30  at Wake Robin Inn, 106 Sharon Road, Lakeville, Connecticut.  A portion of the $35.00 program fee will benefit Community Mental Health Affiliates, a United Way of Northwest Connecticut agency.  Children will decorate a piggy bank, and Shannon McGuill, an Assistant Manager at Webster Bank, will make a presentation that is designed to help kids learn about money.  To register, call 860-689-3991 or email tracey@pinchhitters.biz