DATTCO collecting school supplies Aug. 19

MIDDLETOWN » DATTCO, one of Connecticut’s largest passenger transportation companies, and the student transportation provider for Middletown Public Schools, is hosting a school supply drive to benefit the city’s students and teachers, Aug. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Spencer Elementary School, 207 Westfield Street, Middletown.

Many local students need help filling their backpacks for the new school year. DATTCO will park a bus at Spencer Elementary School and the public is encouraged to come stuff the bus with supplies to help our students succeed. Items requested include traditional supplies (i.e. binders, paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.) calculators, dictionaries, backpacks that are large enough to hold binders and textbooks, and gift cards to Staples, Walmart, grocery stores, or other similar retailers. Middletown School Administrators will distribute the supplies to the school and students most in need.

Volunteer mentors wanted

NEW BRITAIN » Klingberg Family Centers is seeking volunteer Mentors in the Greater New Britain area. The youth we serve are male and female aged 10-21. Mentors must be 21 years of age. The center offers intensive pre-service and on-going training and support. Mentors are completely volunteer, but we do our best to offer gift cards/free passes to be used with your mentee. A New Mentor Orientation and Training will be held on one of t following dates: Aug. 5, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or Aug. 25, 12-2 p.m.

For more information and to get started, contact Ellie Cuifalo, Youth Mentoring Services Coordinator, Klingberg Family Centers, at 860-832-5519 or ellie.cuifalo@klingberg.com

20th Annual Steward’s Ace Hardware Bluefish 5k set

CLINTON » The Clinton Chamber of Commerce and Shoreline Community Women, Inc. will host the 20th Annual Steward’s Ace Hardware 5K Road Race on Saturday Aug. 12.

The 5k (3.1-mile) race course begins and ends at the Jared Eliot Middle School, 69 Fairy Dell Road in Clinton. Start time is 9 a.m., with race day registrations beginning at 7:30 a.m. Mile markers will be measured as such from the course certification (USATK Certified #CT15024JHP). There are several water stations along the route. Last year’s race drew over 400 entrants.

The Clinton Police Department will be closing the race route to all vehicular traffic between 9 and 10 am due to safety concerns.

Electronic bib-chip timing is managed by Rat Race Timing. In addition to title sponsor Steward’s Ace Hardware, sponsors include: MacKinstry Financial & Investments, La Foresta, Harborside Marina & Yacht Sales, DLS Insurance Center, Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, American Legion Post #66, Middlesex Hospital Homecare, The UPS Store, Lemley Electric, Clinton Glass, Stanpak LLC, Preferred Foam Products, The Lee Co., Child & Adult Orthodontics, Hibu, Rocky’s Aqua, Shore Publishing, Cohen’s Bagels, Chips Pub III, Stop and Shop, Shoreline Financial Group, Mohegan Sun, Technique Printers, and Snap Fitness. Music will be provided by disc jockey DJ Michael John of Long Island Sounds Entertainment.

Registration is $25 through August 5. From August 6 to race day, registration will be $30. Registration forms are available online at www.clintonct.com/road-race , from participating sponsors, or at the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, 50 East Main Street, Clinton, CT 06413. Online registration is also available at www. active.com.

Money raised through this race directly benefit Shoreline Community Women and the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. The money goes back in to the community through free events, donations, and programs both organizations hold throughout the year.

Free parking is available at The Joel School and Peters Complex on Glenwood Road, less than one mile from the Eliot School race site. Free shuttle buses will run continuously from 7 a.m. until 8:45 when registration closes. Buses will run again following the race.

The race includes a certified track, free bag check in, swag bags, prizes for first and second place overall (men & women), medals for first, second, and third place in each division, and also one award for fastest Clinton resident. There will be multiple vendors on site included pre- and post-race massage.

Race ceremonies and refreshments begin at the conclusion of the race. Scottish Dave’s Pub, 24 East Main St., Clinton, will be hosting “Beers for Bibs” directly following the race. For more information, contact the race coordinator at the Clinton Chamber of Commerce at 860669-3889.