During the June 18 luncheon meeting, Derby-Shelton Rotary Club President Joe Shapiro presented checks to 14 area nonprofits as awards in the club’s 2026 grants program totaled $18,000 to assist the nonprofits in carrying out the missions. The Club’s board of directors reviewed all of the applications and made the decisions. Representatives of the nonprofits were attended as invited guests and made brief remarks as the check were presented.

Grant Awardees

Veterans, Rotarians, and friends stand in front of the new railing.

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club is proud to have supported an important accessibility improvement project for the American Legion Sutter-Terlizzi Post 16, located on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton. The American Legion is the nation’s largest veteran service organization, founded by an Act of Congress after World War I. For over a century, it has fiercely advocated for the needs of veterans, service members, and their families who have pledged to protect our nation. Established in 1919, the Sutter-Terlizzi Post 16 has been an active part of the community and the state. However, the facility was in need of a handicapped-accessible railing along the existing pavement from the parking area to the lower level where the club is located.

Brennan Construction hole digger

Robert Huelsman and Billy Hannon

Atlantic Equipment did the railing fabrications.

Recognizing this need, the Post identified a local fabricator who generously provided the wrought-iron railing at cost. District 7980 Managed Grant, the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club was able to help fund the project. Robert Huelsman, President Atlantic Equipment Installers Wallingford CT did the railing fabrications and helped install it as a volunteer to the American Legion and Rotary club. J.J. Brennan Construction of Shelton assisted by digging all the holes for the posts at no charge. Matthew and Eric Brennan dug all the holes no charge.

On October 4, 2025, several Friends of Rotary joined 13 Rotarians who assisted with unloading materials, leveling the ground, and ensuring safety throughout the installation process. A commemorative plaque will soon be installed at the site to acknowledge the club’s efforts and community collaboration.

The result: a safer and more accessible walkway for American Legion Post 16 members, guests, and visitors—another example of Rotary’s commitment to “Service Above Self.” Thank you for volunteering, Jeff Dow, Billy Hannon and all Rotarians

A few additional pictures:

Legion Honor Guard Durin the Veterans Day Ceremony

Veterans and Rotarians joining together after the ceremony.

Rotarian Kim Ryan-Caro wearing her father’s WWII U.S. Army jacket

Junior Achievement was awarded a grant of $1,000 to continue their work in the area. Helen Nelson accepted the check for JA.

BHcare’s grant was for $2,500 and Mike Wynne who has worked for BHcare for 30 years accepted the check.

Here’s the full list of 2025 grants:

• Shelton Library System $ 300.00
• Trumbull Rotary Club $ 500.00
• Shelton Historical Society $ 500.00
• Sutter-Terlizzi American Legion Post 16 $ 900.00
• City of Shelton – Gazebo Committee $ 1,000.00
• cARTie Art Museum Bus $ 500.00
• Master’s Table Community Meals, Inc. $ 1,300.00
• New Haven Symphony Orchestra $ 1,500.00
• Girl Scouts of Connecticut $ 1,000.00
• Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County $ 1,000.00
• Center Stage Theatre $ 1,500.00
• Boy Scouts of America Housatonic Council $ 1,000.00
• BHcare $ 2,500.00
• Shelton High School Football $ 2,500.00
• Barnum Foundation for Life $ 2,500.00

Corrine Fucci and Erica Hoffman from Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven flank Rotary President Lucy Andrade.

Rotary President Lucy Andrade presented a check to Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven to help foster their work in the Valley area. The grant was funded jointly by Derby-Shelton Rotary and District 7980’s District Managed Grant program. The funds are going to be used to purchase textbooks for 42 students and 10 volunteers in the Valley.

Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven’s mission is to foster partnerships with adult learners, tutors, and communities that enable individuals and families to achieve educational, career, and quality of life goals. We provide free tutoring to help adults improve speaking, reading and writing English in Greater New Haven, Meriden, Wallingford and the Valley towns.

Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven (LV) has been educating adults in the region for 45 years. LV was established in 1975 by Founder Elizabeth Gumbart from Cheshire, CT, and other concerned civic leaders and incorporated as a nonprofit organization [501(C)(3)] in 1977.

Originally focused on the city of New Haven, Literacy Volunteers has grown over the years, merging with Meriden Literacy Volunteers in 1998 and then expanding to offer tutoring in the Valley – first in 1996 for a short period of time and then more permanently in 2010. Today, Literacy Volunteers has trained over 5,000 volunteers who have, in turn, helped more than 20,000 adults across the region to understand, speak, read, and write American English.

Ernie Luise with John Monteleone, the President Elect of the Tribury Club

Pictures from the Southbury event:

In a heartwarming collaboration, the Derby Centennial Lions Club and the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club recently came together to enhance the outdoor experience for residents of the Shelton Oak Hill Group Home. The joint effort resulted in the donation of outdoor furniture that promises to make a significant impact on the lives of those who call the group home their own. The Shelton Oak Hill Group Home, operated by the Oak Hill Division of the CT Institute for the Blind, provides essential support for blind and visually impaired residents. These individuals rely on the group home for a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive despite their visual challenges.

A Personal Connection

Two remarkable women spearheaded the project: Barbara Lombardi, President of the Lions Club, and her twin sister, Betsey Doane, Past President of the Rotary Club. Both Barbara and Betsey are blind and share a unique bond with the former Oak Hill School in Hartford, where they received their education.

The Gift of Comfort

The Lions Club generously donated a large, sturdy umbrella, providing much-needed shade for the outdoor space. Meanwhile, the Rotary Club stepped in to purchase comfortable deck furniture, ensuring that residents have a pleasant and inviting area to relax, socialize, and enjoy the fresh air.

A Symbol of Unity

The collaboration between these two volunteer service organizations exemplifies the spirit of community and compassion. By working together, they have made a tangible difference in the lives of those who rely on the Shelton Oak Hill Group Home. The outdoor furniture serves as a symbol of unity, reminding us all that when we come together, we can create positive change. Their joint effort will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the residents of the Shelton Oak Hill Group Home, providing comfort, connection, and a sense of belonging.

For more information about the Shelton Oak Hill Group Home or to learn how you can support their mission, visit their website at www.oakhillct.org.

For information on the Derby Centennial Lions Club visit them at:

https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/derby_centennial/index.php

This is another example of a Rotary Action for Peace

The Boys and Girls Club of Lower Naugatuck Valey recently received a grant from the Derby Shelton Rotary Club to enhance four “Calming Corners” in the Club’s Lavietes Clubhouse in Shelton.  The grant of $2,141.91 consisted of $1,060 in matching funds from the Rotary District 7890 Managed Grants program and $1,081.91 from the Derby Shelton Club.

The Boys and Girls Club established Calming Corners to support Club members when they are having difficulty because of emotional or behavioral problems while at the Club.  Rather than being punished, the children are now directed to one of the four age-appropriate Corners located in the Club.  There, they have a relatively private comfortable area in which to gather their thoughts in a bean bag chair and with the assistance of a variety of mindfulness posters and coloring books, fidgets, pocket mantras, sensory walls, sound machines and feelings mirrors.  When they are ready, children return to being with their peers.  Club staff report that the Calming Corners have achieved their objective of calming children, improving their behaviors and decreasing the amount of disruption these children cause to other Club members.

Deputy Chief Brian Grogan, Patricia Tarasovic, Judy Gulish, Kim Ryan Caro, Felicia Monaco, Detective Sergeant Frank DeAngelo, Linda Holmes-Hannon and Sergeant Dan Donston

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club is proud to announce that they were able to donate $2,000 to the Derby Police Department.  The money was from proceeds raised from the 2023 2^nd Annual Derby-Shelton Rotary Club Flags for Heroes program.  Over 300 flags were sponsored and flown on the Derby Green and the Shelton Veterans Memorial Park in late Spring 2023.

Deputy Chief Brian Grogan, Detective Sergeant Frank DeAngelo and Sergeant Dan Donston accepted the check on behalf of the Derby Police Department.  Also in attendance at the event were Derby-Shelton Rotary President Kim Ryan Caro, Flags for Heroes Chair-persons Linda Holmes-Hannon (Shelton) and Felicia Monaco (Derby) and fellow Rotarians Judy Gulish, Patricia Tarasovic and Jack Walsh.

The Derby-Shelton Rotary club wanted to honor local Heroes, and who better to honor than our own Police officers.

The funds will be used to purchase Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK) for officers and First Aid Kits for the police cruisers.  The donation from the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club will help increase the safety of officers as well as the public.

The IFAKs contain tourniquets, quick clot, chest wound seals and other medical supplies that reduce death to persons if not immediately treated. The purchase of IFAKs would ensure now that every officer in the department will have one. The purchase of the First Aid Kits would enable the department to have one in each of the patrol cruisers. The requested First Aid Kits contain basic medical supplies including gauze pads, sanitation wipes, ice packs, band aids, gloves, hand sanitizer. These items are more likely to be used on a daily basis to treat minor injuries.

Kim and Felicia showing the kits purchased with the grant.

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club Flags for Heroes is growing in its third year. The full-size American flags will proudly fly again this year at the Shelton Veterans Memorial Park, the Derby Green and at Derby City Hall. Click here to learn all about this year’s program.

Four of the organizations were on hand for check presentations at the regular Club meeting on June 1 and Huntington Congregational Church was at the June 8 meeting.. Doane noted that the Club puts a great effort into raising funds to support many worthwhile programs in the Valley and beyond and that it is a pleasure to see the great outcomes that result from the grants.

Rich Knoll accepts check on behalf of Huntington Congregational Church

Club President Betsey Doane presents a check to Nicole Stere and Shaye Roscoe of the LNV Boys & Girls Club	Rosemary Allen helped Betsey with the check for Claire Murray from cARTie
Ernie Luise accepted the check from Rosemary and Besey on behalf of Rotary District 7980	Jyreek Ellerbee received New Haven Symphony’s check from Rosemary and Betsey

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club will once again be joining with more than forty other clubs in the annual Liberty Bank/Rotary Club Thanksgiving Drive to provide Thanksgiving food for families in need within each Rotary Club’s local community. The Liberty Bank Foundation will add 25 cents for every dollar donated, up to a total of $250,000.

Each Rotary Club will receive funds donated using the QR code below along with matching funds from the Liberty Bank Foundation. Last year, Derby-Shelton Rotary raised a total of $19,691 for Spooner House in Shelton and St. Vincent de Paul in Derby. Judy Gulish is coordinating this year’s effort for the Club.

Donations by check can also be mailed to:

Community Foundation of Middlesex County
49 Main Street
Middletown

Please include the name of the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club in the memo line to direct the funds for use in Derby and Shelton or select the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club from the list of Clubs when using the QR code to get to the online form.

The easiest way is to simply scan this QR code with your device to go to the Community Foundation website to use your credit card to make a donation.

Thanks for helping us make Thanksgiving happier for our neighbors.