Grant benefits therapeutic riding program in New Milford

ROXBURY — A $5,000 grant from the Ellen Knowles Harcourt Foundation, a private charitable organization that assists needy students, will sponsor riders from New Milford at Little Britches Therapeutic Riding in 2019.

“We’re enormously grateful for the foundation’s support,” Little Britches president Janie Larson said. “The modest fees paid by our riders don’t cover the costs of our program, and many riders need scholarship funds to take part.”

Little Britches, a nonprofit based in Roxbury, provides therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities to individuals with disabilities. The riders, mostly children, come from 29 area towns and have a variety of disabilities, including attention deficit disorders, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and anxiety disorders.

The grant will give students an opportunity to take part, helping them to gain strength, fitness, and confidence as they overcome physical and emotional challenges through riding. The Ellen Knowles Harcourt Foundation is based in New Milford.

For information about the program, call 860-3505050 or email littlebritchesct@gmail.com. Operation Fuel names new board members

Operation Fuel recently elected three new board members: Denise Rhone, of East Hartford, Legal Education Manager for the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund; Courtney Chan, MSW, of Ellington, Director of Human Services for the Town of Coventry; and Melissa Davis-Hussain, LCSW, of Bloomfield, a Social Worker for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Operation Fuel provides year-round emergency energy assistance throughout Connecticut to

lower-income working families and individuals, the elderly, and disabled individuals who are in a financial crisis. Anyone who needs energy assistance should call 211. For more information on Operation Fuel, or to make a donation, go to www.operationfuel.org.

Archdiocese donates to Community Kitchen of Torrington

TORRINGTON — The Community Kitchen of Torrington received a check for $10,500 from

the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal through its Vicariate Outreach Program, on Sept. 15.

The funding will help the Community Kitchen of Torrington to continue its mission to feed a hot meal every day to food insecure people of Torrington and Litchfield County.

According to Debra Brown, board co-president, “This funding helps the Community Kitchen fulfill its mission by helping with the costs for food, utilities, kitchen supplies and kitchen equipment. Serving over 55,000 hot meals each year requires from us ongoing financial support, because ... many of our neighbors who go hungry each

day.”

Since 1981, the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal has been able to assist tens of thousands of people – regardless of race, religion or color – across the Archdiocese of Hartford with health care, education, housing, emergency expenses, and in numerous other areas.

Palace annual raffle has begun

WATERBURY – The Palace Theater’s annual raffle will launch on Nov. 10 at the Legends Of Country Rock concert and promises the lucky first prize winner a dream vacation to Belize. Tickets can be purchased online at www.palacetheaterct.org,

by phone at 203-346-2000, or in person at the Box Office, 100 East Main St. The drawing will take place on June 14, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the theater.

The raffle raises monies that go toward the not-for-profit performing arts organization’s annual fund. Tickets are $25 each and 2,000 are printed.

1st Prize: Vacation Getaway to Belize includes 7 days/6 nights accommodations at Grand Bayman Gardens (restrictions may apply, based on availability)

2nd Prize: Vacation Getaway to Lake George, NY includes 5 days/4 nights accommodations at Fort William Henry Resort value up to $1200 (restrictions may apply, based upon availability)

3rd Prize: Vacation Getaway to Providence, RI Includes 4 days/3 nights accommodations at The Dean Hotel (restrictions may apply, based on availability). Trips sponsored by Barter Business Unlimited

4th Prize: 65" LED 4k Smart TV by LG sponsored by DNR Laboratories.

5th Prize: $500 gift certificate redeemable at LaBonne's Market; 6th Prize: $250 gift certificate redeemable at Adam Broderick Salon & Spa; 7th Prize: $250 gift card redeemable at Amazon.com; 8th prize: $250 gift certificate redeemable at the Palace Theater

Contributed photo Isabella Pelosi rides pony Bobbie, assisted by Little Britches vice president Stuart Daly, left, and occupational therapist Cindy Winton-Bunting.