Cramer & Anderson
attorneys and staff have a long tradition of collecting funds to make holiday donations to nonprofits and human services agencies serving the western Connecticut communities where the firm’s six offices are located.
Some of the annual initiatives date back decades, while others are much newer. Here’s a summary of the firm’s donations for the 2023 holiday season.
beCause 4 Paws
Paralegal Kelly Simpson, right, with Cheryl Podyma of beCAUSE 4 Paws and Todd.
The staff in Cramer & Anderson’s New Milford office decided to make a holiday donation to beCAUSE 4 PAWS this year instead of exchanging gifts.
The nonprofit located in New Milford is dedicated to saving homeless, abused, and neglected dogs and cats across Connecticut.
The donation of pet supplies and cash was coordinated by Attorney Allison “Allie” Noteware, who adopted her dogs Koda and Jax from beCAUSE 4 PAWS and also volunteers for the organization. (Koda and Jax are Shepskies, a husky, shepherd mix.)
Robin DeCaro, who adopted a cat from beCAUSE 4 PAWS, and Kelly Simpson dropped off the donation Dec. 21 to Cheryl Podyma and her staff.
New Milford Santa Fund
The firm has been participating in the New Milford Social Services Santa Fund for almost 25 years.
Jeremy Ruman, legal assistant to Partner Art Weinshank, who oversees the firm’s Santa Fund donations each year, dropped off the 2023 donation during the first week of December.
This year, we collected $570, the most ever, for $550 in gift cards from Kohl’s and Amazon.com and $20 in cash, which all goes toward holiday gifts for children as part of this wonderful Town of New Milford, CT program.
The Center for Empowerment and Education
Also in early December, Paralegal Jessica Cavalier and Legal Assistant Sonia Christie of the firm’s Danbury office dropped off a wreath adorned with $425 in gift cards, along with eight rolls of wrapping paper, for The Center For Empowerment And Education’s holiday drive to aid area families.
The Center (formerly the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury) is on a mission to break the cycle of interpersonal violence through empowerment, education and support services utilizing inclusive, trauma-informed, and client-centered practices for all individuals in the community.
The Center serves the needs of individuals and families in the Northern Fairfield and Southern Litchfield County communities of Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury. New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, and Sherman.
In addition to the annual holiday drive donation, Cramer & Anderson’s attorneys and staff support the Center by participating in its SafeWalk fundraising initiative each fall in an initiative guided by Partner Jennifer Collins.
98Q Bags and Bears
Rich Minor with Attorney Rivas (right), who was joined by her daughter, and Attorney Collins (left), who was joined by her son, Alex, and his service dog, Chelsea.
On Dec. 2, Attorney Collins and Partner Lisa Rivas dropped off the firm’s donations for the DANBURY’S 98Q Bags & Bears holiday drive to collect toys, backpacks, gift cards, and more for area children in foster care.
98Q Rich Minor In The Morning was broadcasting live at Danbury Fair for the event held in conjunction with the mall and the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.
It was the third year the firm has participated in Bags & Bears, whose sponsors include Fairfield County Bank and Omaha Beef Company.
Attorney Rivas was joined by her daughter and Attorney Collins by her son, Alex, and his service dog, Chelsea.
Camella’s Cupboard
Attorney Rivas and Attorney Collins with Camella’s Cupboard Executive Director Angela Chastain.
Attorneys Collins and Rivas also oversaw the firm’s annual donation of food to Camella’s Cupboard Food Pantry for Children in New Milford, making the drop-off shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday.
The firm takes pride in making donations year-round, and this one stands out for helping to address food insecurity, which often goes unseen in our communities.
Newtown Lions Club Stuff-a-Truck
As a member of the Newtown Lions Club (CT), Attorney Collins participated in the Stuff-a-Truck Food Drive held Sept. 30 by the Lions Club’s Hunger Committee in partnership with Big Y World Class Market and the U.S. Army 411th Civil Affairs Battalion at the Queen Street Plaza in Newtown.
The drive helped support area food pantries, including the Daily Bread Food Pantry, Danbury CT,Bridgeport Rescue Mission, and FAITH Food Pantry in Newtown.
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.
