Letter: Thanks extended to community for holiday generosity

By The Rev. Nellie Mann

To the Editor,

This letter is to express my gratitude to the many people that helped Heart to Heart Foundation with the holiday food, clothing and toy drives.

In the week before Christmas, toys, food, and clothing items were donated and collected by the Fire Department and distributed to families in need. Over 200 families came to my house throughout the days before Christmas, and words cannot describe the emotions and heartfelt thanks they showed in appreciation of receiving items in need for their children and families. Thank you to Chief McCarthy and the Fire Department for organizing the donations and delivering them to my house; Monica and Cori, from Westport, for all their help; the Mead School, and those that left only their angel qualities and silently dropped off their donations.

My gratitude is also extended to all of those that helped and donated items for the pre-Thanksgiving meal that was held at the Calvary Baptist Church in South Norwalk. Thank you to Reverend Ingraham, advisor for the Heart to Heart Foundation, to Mr. and Mrs. James Feigenbaum, who always answer the call and provide whatever is needed. Special thanks to Reverend Curtiss and Grace Baptist Church for their donations; Word of Life Ministries; Nancy and the Nucleus Group; the many Norwalk restaurants; and to Stew Leonard’s who donate every year. Very special thanks to our Mayor Harry Rilling who came to show his support for this event.

Thank you to those who attended the Benefit Concert on Dec. 13 and Father Colon for the use of St. Phillip’s Parish. Special thanks to all of the choirs for reaching out, sharing their voices in song that truly made this concert possible. Proceeds benefited five families who recently suffered injuries from accidents and illnesses at this holiday time. Donations are still being accepted by the foundation can be payable to the Heart to Heart Foundation, and mailed to 19 Lawrence Street, Norwalk.

My heart is filled with appreciation and gratitude to those who donated and shared a part of themselves to help others in need. And, pardon me if I left off your name, please know you are recognized, may God bless you, and I look forward to working with you again in the New Year. Special thank you to the Heart to Heart Foundation for being such wonderful people of God, for finding time to reach out and help somebody else as they pass along the way, for then their living shall not be in vane.

Reverend Nellie Mann

“If I can help somebody”