Community News: Memorial Day Closings, donations, poem

Connex donates $800 to Wolfe Park Playground 

MONROE, CT — Connex Credit Union recently donated more than $800 to the Monroe Playground Foundation in support of the organization’s mission to replace the aging Wooden Playground in Wolfe Park.

These funds were raised through Coins-for-Change, Connex’s philanthropic program that donates 100 percent of the fees collected at its coin-cashing machines to charitable organizations.

“On behalf of The Monroe Playground Foundation, I would like to thank Connex Credit Union for their very generous donation,” said Mike Ganino, treasurer, Monroe Playground Foundation. “All of this money will be put toward building a new playground in Wolfe Parke where children and families in our community will, one day, make wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.”

The Monroe Playground Foundation is committed to positively impacting local children and the community. You can learn more or donate at monroeplaygroundfoundation.org.

Each year, more than $14,000 is donated through the Coins-for-Change program. New charities are selected every quarter.

Local nonprofits or charitable organizations interested in participating in the program, should contact Roquita Johnson at [email protected] or 1-800-CR-UNION.

Memorial Day Closing

Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program

First Selectman Ken Kellogg announced that the town of Monroe will participate in the state’s 2020 Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) program again this year.

“I encourage municipal agencies and community non-profit organizations to submit proposals under NAA program,” said Kellogg.

The program allows certain businesses to claim a state tax credit for monetary donations made to qualifying community programs conducted by tax exempt or municipal agencies.

“We have many businesses that donate regularly to various community programs.  If the business pays corporate taxes, this is an opportunity for them to benefit from a state tax credit,” said Kellogg.

Some of the programs that qualify for the NAA tax credit program include, but are not limited to:

• Community services
• Job training & education
• Crime prevention
• Child care services
• Substance abuse prevention or treatment
• Open space acquisition

The minimum contribution on which a tax credit may be granted is $250, and the maximum contribution that any non-profit or municipal entity can receive under this program is $150,000. Click here for more information regarding this program.

Organizations wishing to receive an application packet, and businesses interested in taking advantage of this program in order to reduce their state corporate tax liability, should contact the First Selectman’s Office at (203) 452-2821 or go to the Town’s website at www.MonroeCT.org and look for the Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program listed under “News & Announcements.”

All applications must be submitted to the First Selectman’s Office and received by close of business on June 15, 2019 in order to be considered.​

Monroe Food Pantry gets more support

The Monroe Food Pantry has seen an increase in demand during the coronavirus pandemic, but generous donations have also been on the rise.

This continued with a $563 donation from Washington Lodge No. 19. Pantry director Kathleen Turner received the donation from the lodge’s treasurer, David Schutz.

The lodge was inspired by the Monroe, CT Residents‘ recent campaign to encourage people to patronize Monroe businesses, while raising money for the food pantry.