MONROE, CT — An outdoor menorah lighting to celebrate the Jewish festival of Chanukah is set for Thursday, Dec. 10, on the green in front of Monroe Town Hall, 7 Fan Hill Road, at 6 p.m. It is hosted by the Congregation Mishkan Israel.
The ceremony with musical entertainment is open to the public free of charge and is to be conducted in full accordance with Connecticut state and CDC guidelines. A number of civic representatives are expected to attend.
Mishkan Israel was initiated in Bridgeport in 1945 by Rabbi Israel Stock and his wife as emissaries of Rabbi Yosef Schneersohn. For information, call 203-268-0740.
Holiday schedule
The First Selectman’s Office released the holiday schedule for town services. To access it, click here.
Not mentioned on the schedule, the Monroe Food Pantry will be closed the entire week of Christmas, Monday, Dec. 28, and Friday, Jan. 1. Those who need anything on the non-holiday days, can call the Monroe Senior Center at 203-452-2815.
Stuff-A-Bus benefits Connecticut Food Bank
Connex Credit Union, which has a branch in Monroe, recently donated $1,000 and a full trunk’s worth of whole turkeys to the Connecticut Food Bank as part of the 30th annual Stuff-A-Bus event.
Each year, Connecticut Food Bank partners with local iHeartMedia radio stations to collect food and monetary donations that help nearly 270,000 Connecticut residents struggling with hunger put food on their plates for Thanksgiving. This is the eighth consecutive year Connex has supported the Stuff-A-Bus campaign.
“It’s truly an honor to continue this Thanksgiving tradition and help families in need during a difficult year where budgets are tighter than ever,” said Louise Nestor, director of marketing for Connex Credit Union. “Everyone deserves to enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal and we are extremely proud to help Connecticut Food Bank make this a reality for those that need it most.”
Each year, Connecticut Food Bank partners with local iHeartMedia radio stations to collect food and monetary donations that help nearly 270,000 Connecticut residents struggling with hunger put food on their plates for Thanksgiving. This is the eighth consecutive year Connex has supported the Stuff-A-Bus campaign.
Woman’s Club’s luminary kit sale
Luminaria from the Monroe Women’s Club’s annual sale will light up neighborhoods with beautiful holiday displays.
The Women’s Club will sell and deliver $5 luminary kits, of 12 white bags and 12 white candles. The sale starts on Dec. 1 and the kits will be delivered on the second Saturday of the month, Dec. 12.
The club delivers to Monroe Homes only. To order call 203-268-1072.
Connex supports the arts
Connex Credit Union donated nearly $600 to Arts for Learning Connecticut to help the organization provide under-served children with an opportunity to foster creativity, experience the joy of performing and connect with professional artists.
The funds were raised at Connex’s Monroe Branch as part of the credit union’s Coins-for-Change philanthropic program that donates 100-percent of the fees collected at its coin-cashing machines to charitable organizations.
Arts for Learning is a non-profit organization committed to bringing high-quality and arts-integrated instruction into classrooms around the state that is accessible, supportive and welcoming to children of all backgrounds and abilities.
“On behalf of the staff, board, and partners of Arts for Learning Connecticut, I’d like to thank Connex Credit Union for supporting us in our mission to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts,” said John-Michael Parker, executive director, of Arts for Learning Connecticut. “During these difficult times, this financial support makes a huge difference and ensures we can continue to provide creative, cultural, inspired arts learning to students in K-12 schools across our state.”
To learn more about Arts for Learning Connecticut, or to donate, visit aflct.org.
Each year, more than $14,000 is donated through the Coins-for-Change program. New charities are selected every quarter. If you are a local nonprofit or charitable organization interested in participating in the program, contact Roquita Johnson at [email protected] or 1-800-CR-UNION.
Holiday Mystery Bags
Residents can surprise their friends with a Holiday Mystery Bag, as part of a fundraiser by the Monroe Women’s Club that’s meant to spread holiday cheer in a socially distanced way.
The bags contain a surprise mix of three-to-five seasonal items, including holiday headbands, household items, food treats and children’s toys and activities. Bags are 8”x10”x4” and cost $20 for an adult/teen bag and $15 for a kids’ bag.
Deliveries, which are to Monroe homes only, are continuing through Dec. 23. Order Forms can be found at monroewomensclub.org. For information, call 203-895-3275.
