Toy Pickup

Dick Wisneiski and Susan Jankot of the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association, left,  met Putnam Bank’s Brandy Hapgood and Lynn Bourque, right,  to pick up toys which will be distributed to local children this holiday season. Courtesy ph

 

Recertified

PUTNAM — Karen Leaf of Putnam reaffirmed her status as an elite photographer, once again earning the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation from Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

Leaf, who owns and operates Karen Leaf Photography as well as The Coop, a shared photographic studio space in Putnam, successfully completed the requirements required to keep her CPP designation.

Every three years, CPPs must show that they have maintained the mark of excellence that the CPP designation represents. Leaf earned this designation after meeting challenging requirements that measure her artistic and technical competence.

 

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Donation

Pomfret School students donated soccer balls to NOW. Courtesy photo.

 

PUTNAM — Students and faculty advisers from Pomfret School recently visited the two soccer fields at Logee Park in Putnam and Blackwell Field in Canterbury, owned and operated by Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW). The visit was part of Project: Pomfret 3.0, a two-and-a-half-week project-based learning experience focused on the inclusion of student voice and choice, with projects that have a lasting impact beyond the confines of the classroom. 

During their visit, the students participated in a clean-up of both fields, helping to ensure a clean and safe area for youth soccer and other sports. In addition to the time donated by the students, the project also included a donation of 79 new and gently used soccer balls. Sarah Mortensen, NOW executive director, spoke to the students during their visit about the mission of the organization, and the important role sports can play in the lives of local youths. Mortensen said, “I was very impressed by the Pomfret School students. They were attentive, respectful, and genuine in their desire to help our organization.” The soccer balls donated by the students will be used during Sunday Sports Clinics that NOW will run during the winter months. These free clinics are designed to provide an introduction to a variety of sports and will be open to children ages 3 through 14.

Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, is a non-profit human services organization focused on youth wellness. Serving the 10-town area of Northeast Connecticut, NOW provides children with the opportunity to participate in area athletics programs, offering scholarships to the youth of the community with up to 95% of the cost being subsidized by NOW. The mission of the organization is to provide ALL children, regardless of financial resources, equal opportunities to achieve & maintain youth wellness, beginning at an early age.

“As a non-profit, the support we receive from volunteers of all ages is valued greatly by NOW,” Mortensen noted. “It is encouraging to see students participating in service projects that have a lasting positive impact on the community and hopefully some of these students will be inspired to continue giving back to the community in the years to come.”