Paralegal Jessica Cavalier with donation items.
Extending a holiday season tradition, Cramer & Anderson Paralegal Jessica Cavalier collected donations from partners and staff in the Danbury office and shopped for gift cards and unwrapped items for The Center for Empowerment and Education, formerly called The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury.
The Center asked supporters for gift cards to area box stores or prepaid credit cards “so our clients can get their holiday wishes,” while also seeking items including clothing and toys for a “Gift Room” where clients can “shop” for their children and themselves. The firm’s 2022 donations were dropped off Dec. 5.
Founded in 1975, the Center has a mission of ending domestic violence. It provides domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor services, including counseling and support groups for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, an emergency residential facility for adult and child victims of domestic and sexual violence, and 24-hour hotlines for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Items heading to the Center in the firm’s Danbury office.
“Our firm is a longtime supporter of the Center, both in donating to the holiday drive and participating in the annual SafeWalk each October to heighten awareness about the Center’s mission and help raise vital funding,” Partner Jennifer Collins said. “Supporting the Center is one of many ways we work within the communities we serve to help foster positive change. Thanks to Jessica Cavalier for going above-and-beyond to coordinate this effort every year!”
The donation is one of several holiday efforts spanning Cramer & Anderson offices from Danbury to New Milford and Litchfield.
98Q Bags & Bears Holiday Drive
Attorney Collins and her son, Alex, dropped off the firm’s annual donation at the DANBURY’S 98Q Bags & Bears holiday drive on Dec. 3 at Danbury Fair Mall, where 98Q Rich Minor In The Morning was broadcasting live.
The event, now in its 12th year and held in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, benefits foster children in the region by providing gift cards, backpacks, toys, and more.
Partner Dan Casagrande helped get the donated items ready to go at the firm’s Danbury office, and Partner Lisa Rivas did all the shopping with a thoughtful touch toward choosing educational but fun toys to bring holiday cheer. (Read the story here)
New Milford Santa Fund Donation
Our attorneys and staff have been participating in the annual Santa Fund sponsored by New Milford Social Services since the late 1990s and this year collected more than $500 to purchase five $100 gift cards. The remaining cash was donated to New Milford Social Services.
New Milford Social Services explains that the Santa Fund program benefits families with custodial children, from infants through high school age, by providing gift cards for new clothes and a special gift/toy item requested by the parent. In addition, Santa’s helpers are usually able to include hats and gloves, books or games, and a gift card to help with a holiday meal.
Jeremy Ruman, legal assistant to Partner Art Weinshank, coordinates Santa Fund efforts. (Read the story here)
Camella’s Food Pantry Donation
Cramer & Anderson dropped off a holiday donation of food to Camella’s Cupboard Food Pantry for Children in New Milford for a second year on the day before Thanksgiving.
The nonprofit provides year-round hunger relief to children, seniors, and other vulnerable populations in the Greater New Milford community with its weekly food distributions and special initiatives around the holidays.
In an effort led by Partners Jennifer Collins and Lisa Rivas, the firm contributed roughly $350 worth of snacks and beverages for children. The firm’s donation comes amid a sharp rise in demand. (Read the story here)
Daily Bread Food Pantry Donation
The firm recently donated 10 upright shopping carts to the Daily Bread Food Pantry in Danbury to give clients without vehicles a way to transport the food they pick up.
Daily Bread distributes food free of charge, according to its website, which says, “We have welcomed those in need, whatever their background or circumstances, since 1984. Our clients struggle to provide food for their families and themselves due to illness, disability, job loss, low wages, or personal crises. Whatever the reasons, we are here to help.”
The effort to purchase and donate the carts led by Attorney Collins and assisted by Attorney Rivas. (Read the story here)
PRIME FINDS Home for the Holidays Donation
Cramer & Anderson’s Litchfield office donated $500 to Prime Time House of Torrington as a “Candle Sponsor” of the seasonal PRIME FINDS Home for the Holidays shop that raises funds for its mental health services. The shop is located at Lourdes of Litchfield this year. (Read the story here)
With a mission of empowering individuals struggling with the effects of mental illness to lead productive, independent, and fulfilling lives, Prime Time House offers guidance and support for employment, education, housing, friendship and community, and transportation. It serves more than 300 adults from Litchfield County.
About Cramer & Anderson
Cramer & Anderson provides sophisticated legal services, close to home, with regional offices in New Milford, Washington Depot, Kent, Litchfield, Danbury, and Ridgefield. For more information, see the firm’s website or call the flagship office in New Milford at (860) 355-2631.
