Valley United Way’s Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) announced its plans to build Harvest House IV on the grounds of Shelton’s Riverwalk on Saturday, September 24 as their 2011 Week of Caring project.
Similar to previous Harvest Houses built by the council in ‘05, ‘07, and ‘09, Harvest House IV will be constructed into a 400 square-foot house and filled with more than 100,000 donated non-perishable food items.
The project is a way to raise awareness to the growing number of hungry in the Valley community and encourages food donations to Valley United Way’s agencies, which strive to meet the ever increasing need.
“I am confident that the Valley community will once again reach out by donating food and joining hands to ‘build’ this one-of-a-kind Harvest House,” said Patricia Tarasovic, Director of the Valley United Way’s Volunteer Center.
“Many people are struggling to feed their families and it’s important to help our neighbors in need. The Valley has proven time and again that we are an All American City and Harvest House is another example of how we LIVE UNITED.”
This year the CVC is introducing a new structure. Harvest House IV will be designed and constructed through a cooperative education program with Emmett O’Brien Technical High School in Ansonia.
Emmett O’Brien’s principal and the faculty have embraced this cause, and have partnered with Valley United Way, to allow students to design and build the new Harvest
House as part of their 2010 – 2011 school year curriculum.
The Computer Assisted Design Department (CADD) class created a new design for the house by incorporating modern design, support, and assembly concepts into a blueprint under the supervision of a structural engineer from Shelton-based architectural firm, Fletcher-Thompson.
The carpentry class will be constructing the actual Harvest House IV shortly.
Laurie LeBoutheir, Principal of Emmett O’Brien, said, “Having my students involved in such a great project for the community is welcoming. We often look for means to help out those in need and to help construct a structure for such a wonderful cause is outstanding. This project lends itself perfectly for our trades. Our students work collaboratively for a valuable end product that will benefit numerous individuals and families.”
The CVC invites Valley businesses, civic organizations, schools, church groups, and the community at large to join the effort by running food drives in their organizations and bringing the food to Shelton’s Riverwalk on Saturday, September 24 to fill the walls of Harvest House.
The food that is collected will be distributed to the needy through the following agencies: Spooner House, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Valley YMCA, The Umbrella Program of Birmingham Group Health Services, The Salvation Army, The Parent-Child Resource Center, and The Safe Home.
Partnership with Echo Hose Ambulance Service
Harvest House IV will enter into its second year in partnering with Echo Hose Ambulance Service of Shelton. Joseph Laucella, Assistant Chief for Echo Hose Ambulance, said, “Harvest House is Echo Hose’s way to make a donation and help celebrate a great project. There will be an ambulance show featuring ambulances from across the state. Trophies will be given out for best in show, longest travel and the greatest antique. This free family event will include food, a ‘Touch an Ambulance’ exhibit, along with a DJ providing live music. The community is invited to bring non-perishable food items for Harvest House and then enjoy the picnic and concert sponsored by Echo Hose Ambulance.”