Culture & Community | Newhallville | WNHH | ConnCORP
Daniel Hunt and Elaine Roper at ConnCORP's annual backpack giveaway earlier this year. Gio Roper File Photo.
The idea for a toy giveaway first came to Daniel Hunt in a dream. As it becomes a reality for the second year in a row, he has a mantra that he's been repeating over and over again: be a blessing to the community. In this season, and all seasons, it's what keeps him going.
Hunt, the community liaison at the Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program (ConnCORP), is bringing that message with him into this week, as he prepares for the organization's second annual Christmas toy giveaway. Friday, he came on WNHH-LP Community Radio to promote the event, which takes place Wednesday Dec. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Newhallville Police Substation, 596 Winchester Ave. in New Haven.
To listen to the full episode, click here or on the audio at the bottom of this article.
"This is the community that I grew up in, and that we serve," Hunt said on a short episode of WNHH-LP's "Arts Respond" on Friday. "I'm from New Haven, grew up in Newhallville, live in Newhallville currently, I'm in the city all the time ... so it's important for me as community liaison to give back."
Last year, Hunt had a dream about a giveaway, perhaps influenced by his own love for Christmas (he credits his grandmother for that enthusiasm), and the annual backpack giveaways that have become a summer ritual at ConnCORP (read more about those here and here). That same week, he got a call from Sgt. Jarrell Lowery, who is currently the district manager for New Haven's Dixwell and Newhallville neighborhoods. He asked Hunt if he wanted to collaborate on a giveaway for the holidays.
For Hunt, it was an easy yes, and by the time the December evening rolled around, there was a line down the block. Hunt, who stayed in touch with many of the families, thought about how much need there was in the community, and vowed that it would become an annual event. In addition to the New Haven Police Department, partners including the New Haven Fire Department, 94.3 WYBC, the African American Society and Southern Connecticut State University all came onboard.
"We want to be a blessing to the community," Hunt said, later adding that his faith is a significant part of what helps ground him. "Let's get out in the community so people can see more of us ... you never know what people are going through, and that's what it's about."
For community members interested in giving back this holiday season, it is one of several chances in to do so. The New Haven Pride Center and Witch Bitch Thrift, for instance, have both asked for food donations. Sites like the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, Community Soup Kitchen, Loaves & Fishes, and United Way of Greater New Haven that are always looking for volunteers. As they have for a decade now, Black Lives Matter New Haven—this year in partnership with the Unhoused Activists Community Team (U-ACT)—is holding a drive for cold-weather items like hats, mittens, coats and sleeping bags, with a wishlist and donate link where people can make direct financial contributions.
To hear more from the interview, click on the audio above.