The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club delivered 116 five-gallon buckets of a sand and salt mixture to seniors over 67 years old and to disabled individuals residing in Derby and Shelton between November 30th and December 3rd. Past President Linda Homes-Hanno who institued the successful program back in 2008 served as this year’s chair for the event.

Linda Homes-Hannon started the program in 2008. She’s pictured with former Rotarin Gary Sochrin back in 2008.

Kim Ryan-Caro, current Derby-Shelton Rotary President, has heard many heart-warming stories of gratitude through the years.  Some people were afraid of getting the mail in the icy conditions before they had their Rotary sand and salt.  Others who had recently been on their own expressed what a big help it was to have the sand and salt delivered by community-minded Rotarians. Kim said, “Everyone appreciated this kindness.”

If you have a bucket from a previous year’s delivery, please let Linda know. Also, if a senior resides in a housing complex that already provides sand, then they are not eligible for this program.  The goal of this program is to help seniors over 67 and disabled individuals who really need help.  If you are interested in receiving a free sand and salt bucket, just sign up at the Shelton or Derby Senior Center. Or, if you prefer, you can also contact Linda Holmes-Hannon by email, text, or phone. Her email is: linda_holmes-hannon@hilton.com. In the subject line of your email, put “sand and salt.” Her cell is 203-650-2391.

The Club wants to thank the City of Shelton and its Public Works Department for assistance with the salt and sand at the DPW yard in Shelton. Lowes Home Improvement, Home Depot, Sherwin-Williams and Royal Bakery donated the buckets. A very nice lady also donated her colletion of Kitty Litter buckets!

Linda and Kim also want to thank the delivery crew of Rotarians and volunteers who were greatly assisted by maps created by Rotarian Joe Shapiro to make their delivery routes as efficient as possible. In addition to Kim, Joe and Linda, the other drivers were:

• Doug LaMonte
• Carolyn Dow
• Matt McGee
• Drew Scott,
• Lucy Andrade, Jack Walsh
• Sal Rio
• Julie Blakeman
• Porter McKinnon
• Liza Ginoni-Gambino
• Chris Carey
• Christina Murphy
• Ryan McCoy

Derby-Shelton Rotarians are used to doing a lot of “heavy lifting” for the benefit of the community, but the Sand for Seniors project gives it a whole new meaning to heavy lifting. The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club is delivering 125 five-gallon buckets of a sand and salt mixture to seniors over 67 years old and to disabled individuals residing in Derby and Shelton between December 2 and 5, 2021.

Last year, 137 households were assisted with this project.  Kim Ryan has managed this project for eight years. The program itself has helped families since 2008.  Kim has heard many heart-warming stories of gratitude through the years.  Some people were afraid of getting the mail in the icy conditions before they had their Rotary sand and salt.  Others who had recently been on their own expressed what a big help it was to have the sand and salt delivered by community-minded Rotarians. Kim said, “Everyone appreciated this kindness.”

We’d like to thank all our volunteers for their hard work this year. They include: Drew Scott, Doug LoMonte, Julie Blakeman, Sal Rio, Joe & Joann Shapiro, Steve Balog, Rosemary Allen, Jeff Forte, Chris Carey, Keenan Carey, Linda Homes-Hannon, Lucy Andrade, Michael Wynne, Jack Walsh and Kim Ryan Caro.