GROTON DEMOCRATS WILL MEET WEDNESDAY

Groton — The Groton Democrats will hold a meeting Wednesday for those interested in helping elect Democrats to national, state or local offices, according to a news release.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Groton Senior Center. People interested in serving on the Groton Town Council, Representative Town Meeting or Board of Education are invited to attend, as positions will be open in the November election, the release said.

Those interested in serving but unable to attend on Wednesday may call Conrad Heede at (860) 800-4784 or Natalie Billing at (860) 5362558.

Created by Governor Dannel P. Malloy in 2013, the grant program is designed to assist organizations with costs associated with one-time infrastructure improvements that upgrade the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided by the agencies. The program is administered by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

Friday's allocations are the fifth round of grants since the launch of the program.

“By supporting capital purchases that enhance service delivery, efficiency, and effectiveness, and address health, safety and accessibility issues, this grant program assists nonprofit agencies in focusing on what they do best — getting services to those who need them most,” Malloy said in a statement.

“I don't think my job is finished here yet,” he said. “I think there is still a lot to accomplish and a lot that I can do. Three years just isn't enough.”

He added that he is up for the challenge of leading the town and its citizens through the state's economic recovery that he is optimistic will happen at some point. supplies on July 23.

Verizon Wireless Zone co-owners Neil Ryan and Scott Gladstone, who own stores in Groton, New London, Dayville, Putnam and North Windham, purchased the backpacks as part of the fifth annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway.

The event will take place from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Children must be present to receive a backpack, and families may receive one backpack per child. Backpacks also can be picked up in the Norwich and Lisbon Verizon locations.

“We decided that this would be a great way to help the kids in the community directly, and to also get our employees involved,” said Neil Ryan, co-owner of Wireless Zone. This is the first year the co-owners have participated in the event. By distributing school supplies in July, families can spend their money on other items they might need, he said.

“The idea was to get them out early enough so that families in need could obtain them and not have to worry about it,” he said.