ANSONIA – Fourteen organizations were given an early Christmas gift the night of Dec. 7 at the Ansonia American Legion Post 353 as part of the Legion’s annual charity distribution.
Monetary contributions, totaling more than $13,000, were disbursed at the charity giveaway event by Legion Commander Jennifer Anthony and members of the executive committee, Dennis Dickey, Jim Kammer, Dave Staver, Gary Midlam, Gene Midlam and Ivan Christian.
Recipients were the Ansonia and Rossburg fire departments; Ansonia Rescue; Greenville Honor Guard; Ansonia Police Department; Boy Scouts; two troops of Girl Scouts; Greenville American Legion Baseball; Ansonia Band; Ansonia Athletic Department; Ansonia Touch Downs; Pee Wee Football; and Ansonia Academic Boosters.
Accepting on behalf of each group were the following:
*Ansonia Police Department: Mayor Ted Adkins.
*Ansonia Band: Jessica Berry.
*Football: Mike Osterloh and Keith Burk.
*Ansonia Athletic Department: Superintendent Jim Atchley.
*Ansonia Boy Scout Troop 114: Dave Staver, Carl Post, Mike Thornhill, Greg Baker and Yukahn Riffell.
*Girl Scouts: Leader Ashley Moody and her troop, Atalie Moody, Astoria Mangen, Katie Midlam and Rilee Barbour; and Stacy Gibson and her troop, Kathryn Gibson, Autumn Gessler, Addison and Hailie Midlam and parent Heather Midlam.
*Rossburg Fire Department: Chief Rob Widener and Assistant Chief Joe Widener.
*Ansonia Fire and Rescue: Chief Chris Widener and rescue personnel, Crystal Horne and John Snyder.
*Academic Boosters: Kelly Dapore and Ted and Stephanie Adkins.
*Ansonia Police Department: Mayor Ted Adkins.
*Ansonia Band: Jessica Berry.
*Football: Mike Osterloh and Keith Burk.
*Ansonia Athletic Department: Superintendent Jim Atchley.
*Ansonia Boy Scout Troop 114: Dave Staver, Carl Post, Mike Thornhill, Greg Baker and Yukahn Riffell.
*Girl Scouts: Leader Ashley Moody and her troop, Atalie Moody, Astoria Mangen, Katie Midlam and Rilee Barbour; and Stacy Gibson and her troop, Kathryn Gibson, Autumn Gessler, Addison and Hailie Midlam and parent Heather Midlam.
*Rossburg Fire Department: Chief Rob Widener and Assistant Chief Joe Widener.
*Ansonia Fire and Rescue: Chief Chris Widener and rescue personnel, Crystal Horne and John Snyder.
*Academic Boosters: Kelly Dapore and Ted and Stephanie Adkins.
Not in attendance were representatives from Greenville Post 140 Greenville American Legion-sponsored baseball team; and the Greenville Honor Guard.
Commander Anthony thanked everybody for the contributions from the community. All of the money for this event was raised through events held at the Ansonia American Legion. Those include fish dinners, steak fries, Jen’s Burrito night, wings and things night, pork chop dinners, cabbage roll night and the breakfasts that have recently begun again.
All in attendance were treated to pizza from the Whistle Stop before the presentations.

Two Girl Scout troops were also presented monetary gifts from the Ansonia American Legion's executive committee. Shown, in no particular order, are those representing the Girl Scouts--Ashley Moody and some of her scouts, Atalie Moody, Astoria Mangen, Katie Midlam and Rilee Barbour; and Stacy Gibson and her troop, Kathryn Gibson, Autumn Gessler, Addison and Hailie Midlam and parent Heather Midlam. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

Receiving a monetary award from Legion Commander Jennifer Anthony for the Ansonia Fire and Rescue were, from left, Chief Chris Widener of both the fire and rescue squads, and Crystal Horne and John Snyder of rescue. Also honored but not shown here, was the Rossburg Fire Department representatives, Chief Rob Widener and Assistant Chief Joe Widener. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

Ansonia Local School District Superintendent Jim Atchley accepted the American Legion's donation for the school athletic department. Also honored was the Ansonia band, whose monetary award was accepted by Jessica Berry. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

The Ansonia Legion Commander and Executive Committee presented the football program monetary contribution to Mike Osterloh, left, and Keith Burk. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

Accepting the Academic Boosters' share of the American Legion's contribution to community organizations are Kelly Dapore and Ted and Stephanie Adkins. Ted, who is also mayor of the village, accepted another envelope, which recognized the Ansonia Police Department. (Gaylen Blosser photo)