NEWTOWN SOCCER CLUB TO HOST SOCCER NIGHT IN NEWTOWN

Special event to include a number of great U.S. Soccer legends

NEWTOWN, CT (Friday, April 26, 2013) – The Newtown Soccer Club in conjunction with Newtown  Kindness announces that they will host the second edition of Soccer Night in Newtown this spring in an effort to bring fun and compassion to the community.

This event will take place at the Fairfield Hills Soccer Fields on Friday, May 17 from 5-8pm. It is open to Newtown residents and Newtown Soccer Club members.  This event is free and no registration is required to attend.

“Soccer is a big part of our community, and we are excited to be able to use it in a positive way,” says Newtown Soccer Club president Torrie Laros. “We are thrilled to host this event and to have some of the biggest names in U.S. soccer come to Newtown.  It’s going to be a wonderful night for everyone.”

Soccer Night in Newtown is an event that includes a variety of interactive soccer-based games and activities for kids and families, including the opportunity to meet and get autographs from U.S. soccer legends. Activities will include autograph station, photo booth, small-sided mini-games, kick centers, juggling station, DJ, face painters, balloon artist, bounce houses and other fun-filled family activities.

Some of the confirmed soccer legends include Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Alexi Lalas, Taylor Twellman, Chris Klein, Cobi Jones, Tab Ramos, Eddie Robinson, John Harkes, and Jeff Agoos.

The event is being supported by Connecticut native and Houston Dynamo team president, Chris Canetti and Dynamo Charities, the non-profit arm of the Dynamo. Canetti, along with the help of many others including, Major League Soccer, Quinnipiac University and the Connecticut Football Club, organized the first event.

“I am pleased to be headed back to Newtown for another special event,” says Canetti. “As was our goal last time around, we hope to bring smiles to children’s faces, provide a brief diversion from the awful realities facing the community, and make lifelong memories.”

The original Soccer Night in Newtown was held on January 7^th at Newtown Youth Academy and drew more than 1,500 residents for a special and memorable night.

For more information, please email newtownsoccerclub@gmail.com

We gathered on February 22nd 2013 to celebrate a birthday for a special girl, Charlotte Bacon. We also gathered to honor our children of Newtown and our children of the world. At Newtown Kindness, we believe that kindness should be a guiding principle of humanity. We had received so many amazing submissions from kind and caring young children during the first annual Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award program. In the above video, you will see some of the highlights from our first of many ceremonies.  We hope you enjoy it.  We encourage you to share it.
THINK KINDLY. ACT BOLDLY.

The organization and program were founded in memory of Charlotte Bacon, a victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. It was established to foster a kindness mindset in children. The Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Awards recognize special kids who complete acts of kindness, then write in or draw pictures that are sent to the organization to tell the story.

The program has seen participation from thousands of children around the world in just 8 short weeks.  All children will be recognized in some fashion, but the top award winners were announced on Charlotte Bacon’s birthday, February 22^nd, during an emotional but amazing event at ‘Healing Newtown’ in Newtown, CT.  The leaders of kindness include:

The Cousins That Care, 7 kids up to age 14 led by Melanie Levi, Inlet, NY ~ They have fundraising process of $26,000 over a 4 year period benefiting people in need.  From Newtown Kindness, they are receiving $1,000 in pay-it-forward charity donations from Johnson Charitable Gift Fund.  Also, a Boston stay with two hotel rooms at the Boston Millenium Hotel plus local activities and a $400 Visa Gift Card for spending money.

Sara Casey, 6, North Baltimore, OH ~ She led her class through a kindness lesson and they made a kindness quilt. From Newtown Kindness, she will receive a trip to Philadelphia for a Phillies game and an on-field experience during batting practice. Also, a $100 donation to the charity of her choice.

Sonali and Mano Ranaweera, 12 & 15, San Jose, CA ~ Recycling4Smiles: They collect recyclables to pay for Cleft Lip surgeries.  Their 2013 goal is $5,000 to pay for surgeries in honor of the 20 child victims of Sandy Hook.  Also, they are working on supporting the needy in Sri Lanka. From Newtown Kindness, they will receive an all-expense paid weekend sports package to Portland to see the Trailblazers and Timbers.  Also,  they are receiving a $250 donation to the charity of choice.

Ariana Pensy, 8, Janesville, WI ~ A heartwarming story about helping a classmate and ‘filling someone’s bucket’.   From Newtown Kindness, she will receive a dinner outing with the amazing J.J. Watt from the Houston Texans! Also, she will receive a $100 Visa Gift card for spending money.   Last, she will get a $100 donation to the charity of her choice.

Marcus and Andreas Josaitas, 8 & 10, Cardiff, CA ~ A family living on limited means but they have a ‘give envelope’ and raise money for others.   This year they donated to an animal shelter in honor of Catherine Hubbard after raising money through home-made Christmas card sales.  From Newtown Kindness, they will receive all-expenses paid 2 night trip to Houston to see our partners and favorite organization, the Houston Dynamo!  Also, they will receive a $100 donation to the charity of choice.

Alyson Oleyar and Laura Crowley, 7, Monroe, CT ~ Two friends who raised over $500 for the Wounded Warriors Project through an event they called the ‘Cool Carnival’ because ‘cool kids care’.  Also, they are working on a project to make journals for all of the Sandy Hook Elementary School children. From Newtown Kindness, they will receive a night out on Broadway in NYC with a $100 Visa Gift card for spending money.  Also, they will receive a $100 donation to the charity of their choice.

Caren Ulcak, 10, Austin, TX ~ This young girl is the kindest heart in Texas, as nominated by her teacher.  She is a daily kindness leader including performing at Children’s hospitals.  In a quote from her teacher, Caren “swoops in to help others and then seemingly disappears again.  Like a superhero.”  From Newtown Kindness, she will receive all-expenses paid 2 night trip to CA to see a World Champion LA Kings game!  Also, she will receive a $100 donation to the charity of her choice.

Natalie Horn 10, Lindsay Dievert 11, Shannon Jackman 11, Newtown, CT ~ These girls created the ‘Charlotte Bacon Chain of Love’ which encourages spreading love and paying it forward. They have influenced hundreds of people and have a reach throughout many countries.  They are much like a smaller version of Newtown Kindness.  From Newtown Kindness, they will receive a weekend trip to Seaside Heights, NJ with a $200 Visa Gift Card for spending money.  Also, they will receive a $100 donation to the charity of their choice.

“The habits of good deeds, especially developed in children, will have an immensely powerful and positive influence in our future generations.” says Charlotte’s father, Joel Bacon.

Newtown Kindness will recognize all participants and publish honorable mention winners shortly. The organization will also look to continue to build on the momentum of kindness through other programs and facilitating additional acts of kindness of their own.

For updated news on Newtown Kindness, visit:

www.newtownkindness.org or www.facebook.com/NewtownKindness.org

Media Contact:  Aaron Carlson, newtownkindness@yahoo.com, 203-461-1055

A week with so much hope and love, yet still a week full of such mixed emotions as we continue to try to combat the loss which we have suffered.  The world still mourns.  Many are forever changed.  In our yard I stand and look up at our American Flag, which still flies half-mast.  Over two months have passed and I cannot gather the courage to raise the flag to its fullest.  I am aware that a ‘Flag Code’ exists, which requires direction from the President of the United States or Congress.  This does not seem to be enough to give me the energy to raise it up and move on.  We will forever miss our 6 heroes and 20 angels.  Maybe we need our own flag, a Sandy Hook Elementary School Flag.  A flag that flies at half-mast forever on behalf of our lost ones, whom we will never forget.  The Sandy Hook Elementary School Flag would always represent Charlotte, Catherine, Caroline, Grace, Jessica, Olivia, Madeleine, James, Dylan, Avielle, Jack, Daniel, Josephine, Ana, Chase, Jesse, Emilie, Noah, Ben, Allison, Lauren, Mary, Rachel, Anne, Victoria, and Dawn.

We will continue to choose love, but we will always fly at half-mast in memory of our 26.

Except: Extreme kindness.

Extreme kindness can be managed by all of us individually and collectively.  No bill will require a signature.  No person, company, or amendment will be responsible for blame.  People will not have to assume position on either side of the line in the sand.  We can manage this every day.  This is the one agenda in which we cannot be too extreme.  No one can question too many compliments or too many nice gestures.  No one can argue with parents who instill an honorable belief system in their children.  No one can disagree with fostering life-long contributors to society.  No one can debate the other side of being extremely kind.   We cannot promise results on the aforementioned topics, but I can promise results on this one.

Practice kindness and be extreme.

The Houston Dynamo announced today that it has joined with Newtown Kindness to become an official partner of the inaugural Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award. In addition to becoming partners of the program, Dynamo defender Corey Ashe, midfielder Ricardo Clark and forwards Brian Ching and Cam Weaver have agreed to become spokespeople for the award.

The Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award is named in honor of Charlotte Bacon, a six-year-old girl who was killed in the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School last December. The award is designed to encourage children from around the world to think about and perform simple acts of kindness in their respective communities. As partners of the Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award, the Houston Dynamo and Dynamo Charities, presented by the Halliburton Charitable Foundation, are committed to using their resources to help communicate that message to the team’s fan base and to Houston-area residents.

“This is a great initiative,” said Dynamo forward Brian Ching. “It involves performing a simple act of kindness, which is something that anyone can do. I encourage all children to participate and honor Charlotte’s legacy.”

“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Newtown in early January as part of Soccer Night in Newtown event,” said Dynamo defender Corey Ashe. “While in Connecticut, my teammates and I had breakfast with the Bacon family. Charlotte sounded like an amazing girl and I’m honored to be a spokesperson for an award that honors her memory.”

Children are encouraged to tell their act of kindness story in writing or by drawing a picture for a chance to be recognized with a Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award. One award winner will be chosen to receive a Houston Dynamo prize pack which includes roundtrip airfare for four people to Houston, two nights in a hotel, four tickets to a 2013 Dynamo home game and $100 in concession stand vouchers.

The award is open to all children 18 years of age and younger. Entries must be received by Feb. 21, 2013 and must include a minimum donation of $5. Donations are also being accepted without an entry into the contest, with all funds going to the Charlotte Bacon Kindness Fund, a soon-to-be 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports the Sandy Hook victims’ families and memorials. Complete contest rules, including information on where to send entries, can be found at newtownkindness.org.

ABOUT THE HOUSTON DYNAMO

The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer club that has won two MLS Cup championships and four conference championships in its first seven seasons and qualified to represent the United States in international competition six times, including the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League. The team currently trains in the Methodist Champions’ Field at Houston Amateur Sports Park (HASP), the premier training facility in Southeast Texas, and plays at BBVA Compass Stadium in downtown Houston. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.

ABOUT DYNAMO CHARITIES

Dynamo Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization and the charitable arm of the Houston Dynamo. It believes in using the power of the Dynamo and the sport of soccer to support the Houston community. For more information, log on to HoustonDynamo.com/Charities or call (713) 276-7574.

Last week was filled with achievements for our Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness program. Most importantly, we met with about 200 of our Newtown 5th graders. Charlotte’s brother, Guy, and I led the kids through some really interactive, fun discussions and games about kindness. The kids’ excitement and interest were amazing. The most gratifying result of the event came four days later, when a recipient of an Act of Kindness (AoK) contacted us! A 5th grader had completed an AoK for a 1st grader from Sandy Hook Elementary School. Charlotte’s ‘Kindness Card’ was passed along with the act.

The Newtown kids are leading the way.
 We are grateful to Mrs. King (and the other teachers) for welcoming us in; she will continue on as a leader of change in our school system and we are inspired and heartened by her words, “The students are very excited about the idea of “paying forward” an act of kindness, that will then be passed on even further to someone else. The potential ripple effect means that their simple act of kindness can have far reaching impact, and as long as everyone keeps the promise to pass it on, who knows where it will lead? All of this only goes to show what we have known all along: Kids have the power to change the world, and Newtown kids are leading the way.” 
The new norm.

Share the Kindness!

Sandy Hook, CT, January 18, 2013 – Newtown residents Aaron and Christi Carlson announce today the creation of Newtown Kindness and the Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Awards.

The organization and program was founded in memory of their friends’ daughter, Charlotte Bacon, a victim in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. It was established to support the Newtown community and encourage kids from around the world to engage in acts of kindness.

“We believe that every act of kindness will honor the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy while creating more compassionate children around the globe,” said Newtown Kindness founder Aaron Carlson. “Charlotte was known for her daily acts of kindness. In her life, no kind deed was too small, and we want that message spread and honored in her name.”

Newtown Kindness will focus its efforts around the Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Awards. This initiative will encourage children from around the world to think about and perform simple acts of kindness. The children are also encouraged to tell their act of kindness story in writing or by drawing a picture for a chance to be recognized with a Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award.

Award winners will be chosen by a committee made up of Newtown residents, including the Carlson and Bacon families. The first annual awards will be announced on February 22, 2013, which is Charlotte’s birthday.  

“My family has very much appreciated the many on-going and amazing acts of kindness, encouragement, love, support, and generosity we have received in so many different ways during these recent and most difficult days,” says Charlotte’s father Joel Bacon. “We have heard from so many friends, old and new, neighbors, community members, and even strangers from around the world. It is our hope to continue this mission to encourage others to be kind to others and spread love and hope to one another. The habits of good deeds, especially developed in children, will have an immensely powerful and positive influence in our future generations.”

“This campaign provides a gentle way for this tragic experience to have a positive influence on our children — teaching them a valuable life skill,” adds Carlson. “We understand that there are many levels of comprehension by our children, from those directly affected by this tragedy to those not aware of the situation at all. We believe that our program is an appropriate option for parents to decide at what level they would like their children to comprehend this tragedy, while having some fun.”

Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Awards information:

• Anyone the age of 18 and under is eligible.
• Entries preferred, but not restricted, from ages 18 and under.
• Entries are open to children in any location, and not restricted to Newtown.
• Entries must include name, age, contact information, and must received by February 21, 2013
• There is a suggested donation of $5.00 per entry, which will go to the Charlotte Bacon Kindness Fund (c/o Wells Fargo). Profits will be directed to a 501c3 non-profit organization that supports the Newtown Community in honor of Charlotte Bacon.
• The winners will be announced on February 22, 2013 on Charlotte’s Birthday
• Entries can be sent by mail (Charlotte Bacon Kindness Fund, 2 Old Farm Hill Rd, Newtown, CT 06470) or email Newtownkindness@yahoo.com

For more on how to enter, and updated news on Newtown Kindness, visit: www.newtownkindness.org or www.facebook.com/NewtownKindness.org

Media Contact:  Aaron Carlson, newtownkindness@yahoo.com, 203-461-1055