NOW thanking

generous

community

after theft

PUTNAM — After $610 in raffle proceeds were stolen at the nonprofit Northeast Opportunities for Wellness “A Taste for NOW – A Taste for Life” event, the community came together and donations raised more than $3,900.

“This is truly a happy ending to a story that started off quite negative,” said NOW Fund-raising Chair Earl Rosebrooks. “We were shocked at the theft, which occurred at one of our most successful and positive events but we are touched at the overwhelming response from the community,” Rosebrooks added. “Within hours of posting about the incident on the NOW Facebook page and sharing the news with our media friends, our executive director received dozens of calls and emails from all over the region.” 

One of the first donations came from the Killingly, Putnam and North Windham Verizon Wireless Zone stores in the amount of $610, the full amount that had been stolen. Over the past several weeks, more donations, ranging from $50 to $1,000 were received, totaling over $3,900. Donors include: Mitchell D. Phaiah Foundation, Verizon Wireless Zone,  The G Seven Catering Company,  WPTP Junior Football League, The Courthouse Bar & Grille, Black Dog Bar & Grille, The Lunchbox Catering Company, A&A Management,  Linemaster Switch Corporation,  J & B Transportation, The Killingly Business Association, Killingly-Brooklyn Rotary Club, Lynthia Designs, Flash Times Photo Booth, Angell House Design, Stephen and Lynn Bucknam, Rachel & Jake Dykeman, Lynn Bourque, Paul Desautels, Kathi Peterson, Earl Rosebrooks, Joshua Longiaru, Eric & Julie Quinn, Andrew & Emily Morrison, Michele Geragotelis, and Troy and Alissa Gladu.

NOW Executive Director Sarah Mortensen said, “It has been heartwarming to receive not only the donations but also words of encouragement and support from so many in the NECT community. Our mission is focused on laying a healthy foundation for children living in this area, and this kind of support speaks to how much the people of this region believe in what NOW offers.” The funds, in addition to the proceeds from the 5th Annual A Taste for NOW event, will support NOW’s youth scholarship program as well as the organization’s free fitness and nutrition programs and events.