Salvation Army Open House a Success

Jake Minard created this church for the open house with the help of his dad, Elzwood Minard.

The Salvation Army Service Unit serving Winsted, Norfolk and Colebrook held its annual open house on December 1. The Manchester Citadel Brass Ensemble provided music on Main Street in front of the old Winchester Hotel. Inside on display were over 120 dolls dressed by volunteers, along with gingerbread houses decorated by area elementary grade students.

Students from The Gilbert School and Torrington Christian Academy helped dress the dolls. Also dressing dolls were friends of JW Salon, Apple House Quikmart, and Women's Support Services of the Winsted Fire Department, as well many individuals from the local community. The dolls will be distributed to area children by The Salvation Army's Christmas Food and Toy Distribution Assistance Program.

The gingerbread houses were decorated by St. Anthony's School, Faith Bible Church, and Torrington Christian Academy.

Corporate sponsors who helped pay for the undressed dolls were Barry Cone's Heating & Air Conditioning, The Programming Professionals, Corey Construction, and RJB Contracting. Contributions for the open house were made by LaMonica's Catering, Christine's Flower Shoppe, Apple House Quikmart, JW Salon, Price Chopper, and RJB Contracting.

Melanie Zucca, Victoria Zucca and Logan Bassett hold the dolls they dressed.

For their generous contributions to the Holiday Assistance Program, thank you: Northwest Community Bank, AD-Comm Ink, Richard Beebe, Christine's Flower Shoppe, Torrington Hyundai, VFW Seicheprey Post, Vibra-Conn, Inc., Laurel City Coins & Antiques, East Coast Lightning Equipment, Jessie's of Winsted, Moore & Alvord, RJB Contracting, John and Pat Sangster, Jonathan Nevin, Kristen Cantadore, Mrs. Hicks, Charity Garlasco, Lisa Connell, Neil Germelli, June Snyder, Angel Beecher, Ashley and Sandi McCullough, Betty Bishop, Shelly Ritchie, Darlene Bouchard, Vicki Alfano, and everyone who helps during the year.

A very special thank you to Katie Allen, eleven years old, who is having a birthday. Katie has suggested to everyone invited to her birthday party that, in lieu of gifts to herself, they bring a present that will be dropped off at The Salvation Army for distribution this holiday season to needy children.

A few of the dolls that will be given to area children.