'Unmasking the hidden need' - Valley Press

Courtesy photo
John Erlingheuser from AARP Presents Award to Rep. Hampton
Rep. Hampton honored by AARP
AARP has recognized state
Rep. John Hampton, who serves
Simsbury in the Connecticut General
Assembly for his leadership in
expanding consumer protections
for individuals and family caregivers
that rely on home- and community-based
supports.
Hampton hosted a legislative
forum for senior citizens
at Eno Memorial Hall where he
received the 2013 AARP Legislative
Achievement Award. AARP
boasts nearly 600,000 members in
Connecticut.
“Senior citizens are the heart
and soul of our community. I am
proud to be a strong voice for
them at the state Capitol,” said
Hampton. “I am honored to
receive this award. I thank the
AARP for this recognition and I
look forward to our continued
collaborative efforts on behalf
of older Americans.”
Hampton serves on the
Aging Committee and also introduced
legislation creating a
task force on Alzheimer’s disease
and championed “aging in
place” measures, enabling individuals
to remain in their own
homes or community settings
of their choice.
For more information,
contact Hampton at 860-240-
8659 or at john.hampton@cga.
ct.gov.
Ronald
McDonald House
awards grants
Ronald McDonald House
Charities® (RMHC®) of Connecticut
and Western Massachusetts
has awarded $198,000 to 18 area
organizations. The grants provide
funding for a variety of initiatives,
including new digitized
speech processing equipment
for hearing-impaired students,
technology items for a youth
development program, and behavioral
therapy equipment for
a specialized care center.
Edward Abraham, president
of RMHC of Connecticut
and Western Massachusetts,
said, “RMHC was created to
better the lives of children and
their families in our community
and we are delighted to be able
to continue our work through
these selected organizations.”
RMHC’s 2013 recipients
include Avon-based, Gifts of
Love with $5,000 to fund a
weekend food program that
predominantly serves children
and families from low-income
backgrounds. For over 25 years,
Gifts of Love has been dedicated
to providing resources to Farmington
River Valley community
members in need. The Weekend
Food Backpack Program was
created to help eliminate food
insecurity on the weekends for
over 3,000 children and families.
Every Friday, backpacks
filled with easy to prepare foods,
snacks and juices are distributed
to students who would otherwise
go without. The RMHC
grant will specifically help fund
the ever-present need for food
supplies for this extensive nutrition
program.
Tying the knot
Domingo Astiasaran marries
Cody Carubia
Domingo Astiasaran and
Codi Carubia were married June
22, 2013 at St. Peter’s Church in
Monument, Colo., followed by a
celebration at the Spruce Mountain
Ranch in Larkspur, Colo.
Brothers of the groom, Andres
and Patxi, were co-best men. Dan
Ray, Joseph Hunt, Beau Carubia,
Chad Carubia and Lucas Carubia
were groomsmen. Sara Nebbia,
best friend of the bride, was maid
of honor. Kate Rolfsmeyer, Kammie
Russel, Kelsi Hendrix, Krystal
Astiasaran, Alicia Muffin and Taylor
Wolfe were bridesmaids. Ushers
were Paul Casey, James Hogan
and Marcus Heffner. Nieces of the
Courtesy photo
groom, Amaia, Gisel and Julen
Astiasaran, were flower girls and
ringbearer. The groom is the son
of Karen and Domingo Astiasaran
of Farmington. The bride is the
daughter of Carmen and Robert
Carubia of Monument, Colo. The
groom is a graduate of Farmington
High School, class of 2006, and
the United States Air Force Academy,
class of 2010. He became an
Air Force pilot in February 2012.
The bride is a graduate of Monument
High School, University of
Nebraska and University of Colorado
School of Dental Medicine.
The couple resides in Fort Collins,
Colo.
2 nd Annual
ridal Show
BSunday, November 17th
11:00 am–3:00 pm
Tickets are $5.00 at the door. Free parking.
Cakes, Limousines, Bands, DJs, Flowers, Photographers, Dresses,
Hair, Makeup, Receptions, Ceremonies, Bridal Showers
1 NOD ROAD | AVON, CT 06001 | 860.404.5051
www.avonbelleterrace.com
A Riverhouse Property.
Matthew J. Wagner Fine Photography
10 The Valley Press November 14, 2013