Author: kathrynwboughton@gmail.com

The Church of Christ Giving Tree has gone virtual but is no less beneficent. The church asks for donations of Christmas presents for those in need. A list of items desired is located here. Please note the number on the “tag” chosen. Wrapped gifts with the correct numbers on them, must be delivered to the church by Sunday, December 11. In addition to displaying the number on the gift, also attach a list of what is being given to help parents know what their children are receiving. For information, call Lisa McClave at 860-309-1443.

Norfolk will be merry and bright Saturday evening following the annual carol sing in the great room at Norfolk Library and the tree lighting on the Village Green. The carol sing, with seasonal refreshments, begins at 5:00 p.m. For those who choose not to sing, the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department will be passing out cups of hot coco and munchkins free to all on the Green, starting at 5:45 p.m. At 6:00 o’clock sharp, Santa arrives on his fire engine sleigh-of-lights, passing out candy canes to children then lighting the Towns tree. Hope to see everyone there!

Immaculate Conception Church will set up its Giving Tree November 27 and keep it in place through December 11. Those wishing to make Christmas merrier for a child in need can choose a tag from the tree and purchase the gift listed on it. Gifts must be under the tree by December 11 for distribution by local social service agencies.

Sockin’ It At Botelle

Botelle School is gathering socks to fight the cold for those in need. Donations, large and small, are being displayed on a line in the school office before distribution. Donations may be left in the main office.

The “Raise the Steeple” committee has announced that the community’s support and generous donations have allowed the steeple restoration project to move forward. More than $575,000 has been raised, some of which has been spent to lower the steeple to the ground for repairs (approximately $100,000) and about $35,000 on the engineering work. In addition to renovating the steeple, the Church of Christ plans to repair the clock face and chimes. The original estimate for repairs and refurbishment of the clock doubled but because of the generous community support, the church is in a good position to complete the work.

Soon architectural and engineering plans will be completed and the project will go out to bid. Once quotes are received, future expenditures will become clearer. Even with uncertain building costs, the Committee is confident that the work will be done with the support of the community.

“We do want to thank all who have contributed so much to this effort. We are lucky to be part of our community that cares so much for our church and its place in Norfolk,” committee members said. “We truly appreciate donations of all sizes. Every donation helps brings us closer to our goal of raising the steeple.”

Click here to visit “steeple campaign” on (norfolkucc.org) to learn more.

With winter on the horizon the Clothes Closet at Battell Chapel is looking for donations of cool/cold weather items. Please do not donate shoes with heels. It is helpful if sets of sheets are clipped together with a label of the size. In addition, the need for food donations continues at the Food Pantry. Two-percent milk is particularly needed.

The Norfolk NET Food Pantry continues to need more food to share with those in need. Persons wishing to donate half-gallons of 2 percent milk can do so during Food Pantry hours, Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Battell Chapel. Those are the hours when it can be quickly refrigerated. Non-perishable food items can be left in the blue bin at the back of the building, Particularly needed is ground coffee, kids’ snacks and juice boxes and cookies. Also needed are cereal, pasta and sauce, soups, canned fruit and juices, canned meats, peanut butter, rice, protein bars, and macaroni and cheese. Toilet paper, pater towels and personal care items are also appreciated.

Need a ride? Transportation in Northwest Connecticut can be difficult if you don’t drive, but there are three options available for public transport to doctor’s appointments, shopping and picking up prescriptions. The Norfolk van runs Monday, Thursday and Friday, with Friday designated for shopping in Torrington; call 860-542-5829. Geer Village Dial-a-Ride is available weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m; call 860-824-7067. Finally, Northwestern CT Transit operates Wednesday for rides in Norfolk or to Torrington; call 860-489-2535. Its Ritz Program is available for local doctor’s appointments and longer distances, such as Hartford Hospital, UConn Medical, Yale-New Haven and the Greater Waterbury area. At least 24 hours advance notice is required for the Norfolk van and Geer, and 48 hours for Northwestern CT Transit.