MONROE, CT — Monroe police officers collected nonperishable donations for a food drive benefiting the Monroe Food Pantry Saturday.
Officers were stationed in the Village Square Shopping Center parking lot for several hours and got an assist when Masuk High School football players showed up with donations.
Head Coach Steve Christy said each player brought food from home to donate to town families in need.
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY
The public is invited to a ceremony on Stepney Green, commemorating Veterans Day and acknowledging and remembering veterans’ contributions and sacrifices, Thursday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m.
The annual ceremony is organized by American Legion Posts 176 of Monroe and 160 of Easton.
No Shave November … and December
Monroe Police Chief John Salvatore will have to wait an extra month to enforce his department’s policy requiring all officers to be clean shaven.
After the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled police officers’ participation in the annual No Shave November CT fundraiser last year, the chief decided to give them an extra month to raise money for the Connecticut Cancer Foundation’s fight against pediatric cancer.
“The guys like doing it, because we have to shave every day and it’s in our orders to be clean shaven,” Officer Nicholas Franzago said. “It’s fun and it’s for a good cause.”
This year, 20 Monroe police officers will not pick up a razor in November and December. Each donated $50 to participate and all are welcome to joint their effort by making donations on the No Shave Connecticut website on behalf of the Monroe Police Department.
To donate, click here.
We have a goal of $2,000 and are at $1,635 now,” Franzago said.
He said the fundraiser will directly benefit Connecticut families with basic living expenses, such as rent, mortgage, utilities, and food, as they strive for the children to be cancer free. The families of four children known as ambassadors will receive significant grants this year.
There will be a contest for the best facial hair with prizes from Schick, and weekly prizes of autographed MLB baseballs awarded for the top five individual fundraisers. Prizes will also be awarded to the Top Fundraising Team and Top Individual Fundraiser.
Since 2017, No Shave CT has raised over $450,000 and its goal this year is to raise at least $250,000. The Monroe Police Department has been involved since 2018.
Traffic Report
Drivers can expect lane closers, alternating traffic and some delays for road work in some parts of town from Monday, Nov. 15, to Friday, Nov. 26.
Curbing will be done on Benedict Road, from West Maiden Lane to Meadows End Road; and on East Village Road, from Route 111 to Barn Hill Road.
Drainage and utility work will be done on Pepper Street, from Grant Road to Northern Route 25.
For the latest updates on the Pepper Street improvements and multi-use trail project, click here.
Monroe Giving Tree Program
Every year, the Monroe community generously purchases gifts for town residents in need during the holiday season. Those wishing to help by purchasing a gift should click here and sign up for a specific gift.
Gifts should be wrapped and returned with the tag number (i.e. 101A) clearly marked on the outside by Dec. 1.
Drop off locations are inside the Monroe Police Department lobby, which is open 24 hours a day, and in the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library Lobby, open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To make a monetary donation instead of buying a gift, click here. For information, call Mary Ann Kalm, the town’s social services coordinator/clinical coordinator, at 203-452-2813.
