The Wethersfield-based organization, Survivors of Homicide, Inc. is hosting the following upcoming support group meetings:

Southington: Tuesday, June 18 at 7 p.m. at the Southington Care Center, 45 Meriden Ave.
 
New London: Tuesday, June 18 at 7  p.m. at the Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, 365 Montauk Ave. The group meets in Conference Room 3.
 
New Haven: Wednesday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Haven Adult Education Center located at 580 Ella T. Grasso Blvd., first floor library.

Newtown:  Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m. at the Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St.

For more information about Survivors of Homicide, Inc., call 860-257-7388, or toll free 1-888-833-4764. Visit the organization's web site at www.survivorsofhomicide.com.

By Luther Turmelle
Register Staff
CHESHIRE >> The lives of Mike Weed, his wife Heidi and their three children changed in almost an instant on May 17th and not in a good way.
Now, as the 37-year-old Weed fights to recover from the stroke he suffered that day, his friends are trying to affect change by raising money to help defray the family’s medical bills and household expenses. That effort will culminate Sunday with an event called Weedstock at Mixville Park. It begins at 1 p.m.
The event will feature music, food, raffles and family activities. Tickets are $25 a person.

Read more here.

Pastor Rob Morris is photographed at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newtown on 6/12/2013. Photo by Arnold Gold

By Kristin Stoller

Arnold Gold � Register Pastor Rob Morris is photographed at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newtown on 6/12/2013.

NEWTOWN >> The first few Sundays after the Dec. 14 Sandy Hook school shooting, members of Christ the King Lutheran Church formed a hugging line.
Messages of condolence replaced greetings of peace, and church members held on a little more tightly to their neighbors.
“People drew together amazingly to support each other,” Pastor Rob Morris said of the days after the school attack left 26 students and staff members dead. “When you go through a trauma like that together, that’s a shared experience that doesn’t get taken off the books.”

Read more here. 

The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut is getting ready for the 8^th Annual Andrew’s Golf Benefit for Epilepsy.

It will take place on Thursday, July 11, at Quarry Ridge Golf Course, 9 Rose Hill Road, Portland.

This event was established and is hosted by the Purdy family, whose son Andrew has epilepsy.  Epilepsy is a chronic medical condition produced by sudden changes in the electrical function of the brain that results in more than 20 different types of seizures.  It is one of the most common neurological disorders in the United States, affecting approximately 60,000 people in Connecticut. Andrew’s Golf Benefit for Epilepsy raises funds to provide information, education, recreation, advocacy and support.

The fee is $150, which includes golf carts and greens fees. Activities include a barbecue lunch from 10:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will be a raffle, with prizes including golf clubs and a flat screen TV. A hole in one prize is a Hawaiian vacation. 

Sponsorships are available. Sponsorships range from $50 business advertising to the platinum level, in which the donation is $5,000. Sponsors should register by June 22 to receive all benefits.

Prizes will be awarded for first place team, second place team, longest drive, and closest to pin winners. Registration on the day of the event begins at 8:30 a.m., and golfers must arrive by 9:30 a.m. 

For more information, call 800-899-EPIL. Applications are also available online at www.epilepsyct.com. Send registration forms and payment to the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut, 386 Main St.,Middletown, CT 06457-3360.

By Hugh McQuaid

Newtown families get copies of the legislation in the Senate chamber as the bill is introduced after 1 a.m. Christine Stuart/CT News Junkie

The General Assembly approved a bill Wednesday morning that blocks public release of crime scene photos of murder victims, including the 26 Newtown victims.
The bill made its way through the both chambers of the legislature in less than an hour, with less than 24 hours before the close of the session. More than 100 lawmakers signed on as co-sponsors of the legislation.


Read more here.

SHELTON - Local first responders are teaming up to support people in Moore, Oklahoma in wake of the tragic tornado that recently hit the area. Echo Hose Ambulance, along with the Fire Department and Shelton Police Department, are assembling care packages that will be sent to the EMS, Fire and Police Departments of Moore. The various departments are looking for assistance from the public in collecting items. If someone would like to help, they can donate new items including, but not limited to, non-perishable easy to pack food, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, adult sized t-shirts, socks, underwear, and tank tops.

Shelton officials are also including cards to show support and thanks.
The items and support cards can be dropped off at the Shelton Police Department, 85 Wheeler St., the four Fire Houses, and at Echo Hose Ambulance, 100 Meadow St.
For more information or any questions about acceptable items please contact Jeff Caporaso at 203-895-2607 or emtinct@yahoo.com

The American Red Cross is helping those impacted by the tornado outbreak this week, which left many survivors homeless. 
The organization is assisting first responders and is providing shelter, food, distributing relief items and clean-up supplies.

HOW TO HELP : You can always help by  making a donation to the Disaster Relief Fund by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to the local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

HARTFORD - The tragic death of Alyssiah Wiley marks the state’s third homicide allegedly stemming from intimate partner violence this year, according to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Wiley’s long-time boyfriend faces murder and kidnapping charges in connection with her death.

"Intimate partner violence is a serious issue in Connecticut," said Karen Jarmoc, coalition executive director, in a statement. "Our state has averaged 16 deaths annually as a result of domestic violence over the past decade. And while we have established strong measures to protect victims in Connecticut, there is clearly more work to be done."

The coalition’s member agencies provide emergency and support services such as safety planning, emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis intervention, counseling, support groups and court advocacy. These services are all confidential and free of charge.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the statewide toll-free hotline at (888) 774-2900 to be connected to a local domestic violence agency in your area, including The Center for Women & Families of Eastern Fairfield County, which is located in Bridgeport and serves the towns of Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. Visit the organization’s web site at http://www.ctcadv.org.

HARTFORD – State residents are being asked to “Help a Hero” this week, by donating items to homeless veterans.

State Rep. Jack Hennessy, who is chairman of the legislature’s Veteran’s Affairs Committee, is asking constituents and others to participate in the Help A Hero event outside the Capitol Building on Wednesday, May 22.

Items that can be donated include health care and hygiene items for men and women, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, grooming kits, personal care items for men and women, socks, underwear, t-shirts, hats, gloves, boots, umbrellas and more. Gift cards and cash donations will be accepted for veterans in need of work clothes and other non-donated items.

The event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. outside of the Capitol building, at 210 Capitol Ave., Hartford.

2013 Survivors of Homicide, Inc. Charity Golf Tournament

Saturday, July 20
Grassmere Country Club
130 Town Farm Road
Enfield, CT 06082

8 a.m. - Registration

9 a.m. - Tee Off (9 Hole Scramble )

11 a.m. - Social Hour (Cash Bar)

12 p.m. - Lunch Buffet

Following Lunch there will be music, entertainment, raffles and door prizes.

Prizes will be awarded for First Place, Second Place and more!

 Entry Fee: $70 per person. This includes 9 holes of golf, cart, and lunch.

Buffet Only: $30Children 6-12 years old: $10Children Under 6 Free

Buffet includes: Chicken, Ribs, Corn on the Cob, and side dishes.

Payment is allow available online.

Visit the web site http://www.survivorsofhomicide.com for more information.

The Connecticut Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is hosting an event this weekend to raise funds and awareness for its programs and services.
The event will be on Saturday, May 4, at West Hartford Town Hall, 50 South Main St.


Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. The walk begins at 10 a.m.

Register online at www.walklikemadd.org


According to its web site, MADD uses the money it raises in the following ways:

• They offer support programs to help victims cope with their tragedy and loss of a loved one at no charge.
   
• MADD provides legal support to victims as they go through the judicial process.
   
• MADD provides equipment to local police to better detect and arrest drunk drivers, such as  preliminary breath testers, passive alcohol sensors, in-vehicle video cameras, signs, lights and cones for setting up sobriety checkpoints.
   
• MADD actively works with state and local legislators to adopt tougher laws against drunk driving and close the loopholes in many existing laws.
   
• MADD implements educational programs to limit access to alcohol among elementary, middle school, high school, and college students.

The support group, Survivors of Homicide, has announced the following upcoming meetings:
Southington: Tuesday, April 16,  at 7 p.m. at the Southington Care Center located at 45 Meriden Ave.
New London: Tuesday, April 16 at 7 p.m. at the L & M Hospital located at 365 Montauk Ave. The group meets in Conference Room 3.
New Haven: Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the NH Adult Education Center located at 580 Ella Grasso Boulevard. The group meets in the first floor library.
Newtown: This is a brand new group. It will meet on Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at the Newtown Congregational Church located at 14 West St. This group will always meet  on the third Thursday of the month. 

For more information, visit the Wethersfield-based group's web site at www.survivorsofhomicide.com