MONROE, CT — Since Dennis Bradshaw and his wife, Carol, lost their home to a flood in Sandy Hook on Aug. 18, the couple has received an outpouring of support from family, friends and even strangers, who donated to a GoFundMe page set up by their children and grandchildren.
Dennis, a retired Monroe police officer, was also not forgotten by the men and women wearing the uniform in town. The Monroe Police Union held a pasta fundraiser at Testo’s Ristorante, 505 Main St. in Monroe, Monday evening.
The party room inside the restaurant was filled with over 200 guests, as the Bradshaws mingled with old friends over penne in tomato sauce with meatballs and sausage. The night included raffle prizes donated by local businesses and a 50/50 raffle.
“It’s been wonderful,” said Carol, a retired Newtown school bus driver. “It’s a huge outpouring of so much support. I’m really humbled and grateful.”
“Oh my God, our hearts are filled with the caring and just the support that’s come our way,” Dennis said. “I can’t wrap my head around it — people giving to total strangers. How do you pay it back? There’s not enough thank you’s you can give.”
For the past seven weeks, the Bradshaws have been staying in their motorhome behind their daughter, Cheri Williams’ house. “It’s nice because our kids are so close by,” Dennis said.
The couple has flood insurance, but will have to wait, at least until the spring, to know if they will be allowed by rebuild on their property. And then, Carol said they will have to make a decision based on how they want to spend the rest of their retirement.
Though many belongings were lost in the flood, the couple managed to salvage some items.
“We washed pictures for three days,” Carol said. “My granddaughter came down and they were looking through rocks. She found a picture of my great grandparents taken with my uncle. It was taken on August 25, 1933 and she found it among boulders on Aug. 25.”
The Bradshaws have always helped others and are admittedly uncomfortable accepting help themselves.
“It’s hard to receive,” Carol said. “It’s very hard and very humbling. Our kids keep saying, ‘mom and dad, it’s because you gave. Now they want to give back.’ Hopefully we’ll be able to pay this forward in some way.”
A show of unity
Sgt. Helio Ramalhete, vice president of the Monroe Police Union, emceed the event.
“We’ve gathered, not just for a meal, but to show our unity and compassion for a family that has given so much to our community,” he said from the podium.
Ramalhete thanked the owners of Testo’s for hosting the dinner and officers Stacy Cascante, Omar Wahib, Nick Puglisi and Francisco Jimenez, and Sgt. Michael DeCarli for making the evening possible.
He also thanked the businesses who made donations, as well as everyone who attended. “Thanks for giving back,” Ramalhete said.
Ramalhete shared the story of how Dennis Bradshaw dedicated 20 years to the Monroe Police Department and was enjoying his retirement, before the flood forced the former K-9 officer and his wife to flee for their lives.
“Everything they built, every memory in that home, was taken away by the rushing waters,” Ramalhete said. “If there’s one thing we know about Dennis and Carol, it’s that they’re resilient. But resilience doesn’t mean they have to face this journey alone. And that’s why we are here tonight, to remind them that we’ll always stand together with them, just as Dennis stood together with us throughout those 20 years.”
“The proceeds from tonight’s event will help them rebuild their home but, more importantly, it will show them that they have the community behind them,” he continued. “On behalf of the Monroe Police Union and the Bradshaw family, I want to thank each of you for your kindness and your generosity. This is what community is all about — giving back.”
First Selectman Terry Rooney, who attended the dinner with his wife, Nadine, mentioned his previous career as a Bridgeport police officer.
“This is what law enforcement always does for one another,” Rooney said. Looking at Dennis Bradshaw, he added, “Monroe is always your home and this is your family, and we’re all here to help you, because that’s what we do. When we’re down and out, we help one another.”
“My heart goes out to you and I’m proud of the people that are here,” Rooney said. “I’m proud of this department for doing what they’re doing for you and your family. I know this is tough. It’s never going to get easier, but at the end of the day, you know you have people you can rely on.”
The first selectman noted that State Rep. Tony Scott, R-112th, and Chris Carrena, a Republican candidate for Connecticut’s 22nd Senatorial District were among those in attendance.
The Bradshaws’ daughter, Stacey, spoke next to express her family’s gratitude for the fundraiser.
“Wow, this is absolutely incredible,” she said. “This house meant the world to me and my family.” Stacey said she is one of six children and her parents also have 14 grandchildren.
“It just means so much to us that you guys care about my parents and it’s such an honor,” she said. “All the officers that are here tonight, please be safe and thank you for your service. I’m just so overwhelmed right now with this turnout. This is truly amazing.”
“But it’s not surprising, because they’re such amazing parents, grandparents — and we all love you and you’re gonna be safe,” Stacey said to her parents.
Dinner was served and Ramalhete said, “let’s raise your glass now to Dennis and Carol. May we always stand together through every challenge. Salute.”
Near the end of the night, Dennis Bradshaw took the microphone, his wife by his side.
“We want to thank everybody from the bottom of our hearts for the kindness and support you have shown to my family and myself,” he said. “And I want to thank Testo’s, my buddies in blue — and girls. Just everybody that came here. We never expected this and we really didn’t want it, to lose the house and everything, but that’s what we got dealt. So please, you’re in our hearts always and thank you so very much.”
The room filled with loud applause.
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