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Sunday, January 18, 2011

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Ben Wilke Memorial Tree Spree.

 

Westport committee grants $2000 in the memory of Ronald Desrosiers.

 

Ben Wilke Memorial Tree Spree.

EverythingWestport.com

Sunday, January 18, 2011

 

t8.jpgThe 18th annual Little Compton's Ben Wilke Memorial Tree Spree, held the first Sunday of every December, always kicks off the town's 2011 Christmas celebrations.

 

But for Caroline Wordell it's an opportunity to memorialize her  brother, Ben Wilke, who was lost to cancer 19 years ago.

 

The December 4th lottery ticket-style benefit was well attended as this commemorative fundraiser is an anticipated community event.

 

Shoppers buy raffle tickets, fill them in, and put anywhere from one to the entire batch into the bag next to the tree(s) they would like to win.

 

One ticket is drawn from each of the 64 bags, and the lucky holders of the tickets get to take home the theme-based trees with all their trimmings.

 

All proceeds go to the Citizen's Scholarship Foundation of Little Compton for deserving local students, Wordell said. "This year, 64 unusually decorated Christmas trees and 108 other items were donated," she added.

 

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This year, holiday shoppers had their choice of 64 unusually decorated Christmas trees and 108 other items. The lottery ticket-style benefit attracts hundreds of shoppers from all over the area.

 

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Group caroling and the lighting of the Common's Christmas tree at dusk is heralded by the arrival of Santa Claus, who uses a more updated mode of transportation, a Harley Davidson motorcycle! The lucky youngsters get gifts from Santa and his elves.

 

 

 

Westport committee grants $2000 in the memory of Ronald Desrosiers.

Funds will protect Latessa Square and help create a base and plaque for the fire station's World Trade Center Steel display.

EverythingWestport.com

Sunday, January 18, 2011

 

The Westport Citizens Betterment Committee received only four applications for grants this year, and voted to award each applicant a $500 grant in the memory of the late Westport selectman Ronald Desrosiers.

 

Westport Veterans Memorial Upkeep Fund was granted its request for funds to install a flagpole light at Latessa Square and upkeep other memorials in town. Latessa Square has been plagued with vandalism in recent years.

 

The Westport Highway Department was granted $500 for repairs to the Highway Building. The grant money will help defray some of the costs to repair this building, urgently in need of updating.

 

The Westport Police Department was granted $500 for a radKIDS program, committed to providing education that enhances the ability of children, parents, and families to utilize knowledge, skills, and power to protect themselves from violence and harm.

 

The Westport Fire Department received a grant to help create a base and plaque for its World Trade Center Steel display. Funds will assist in the production of a steel base fashioned in the shape of the Pentagon that would allow for the permanent display of the beam salvaged from the World Trade Center, and to purchase some plaques to memorialize the victims and events, including the late Dianne Snyder, a Westport resident.

 

Although all four applicants requested $1,000, the committee felt this year they would divide the funds evenly and hope they can assist with each department's goals.

 

The Betterment Committee wishes to remind everyone that donating to the Ronald Desrosiers Memorial Fund in memory of a loved one or as a charitable contribution is a great way of putting resources back into our beautiful community.

 

Contributions can be made by contacting the Selectmen's Office at 508.636.1004 or by contacting Secretary/Treasurer Charlene Wood at 508.636.2075.

 

 

 

 

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