The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme (FCCOL), Christ the King Church and Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church will hold a joint community supper – featuring traditional Puerto Rican music and delicious dishes – at 6 p.m., this evening, Saturday, June 9, at Christ the King Church to help support the churches’ efforts to relocate the Colon family from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.
The family of four – Adrian and Lismarie Colon and their two children, Adrian Jr.(age 12) and Gustavo (age 2) – was relocated to Old Lyme in late December, after losing their home, their jobs, and all of their belongings to Hurricane Maria. “We watched the water just pour into our house through all the windows,” said Adrian Colon, Sr. “We lost everything!”
The Old Lyme Refugee Resettlement Committee – a group of volunteers representing all three churches and the greater community – has helped the family find new housing, support services, jobs and schools, as they start life over here on the mainland.
There is no specific charge to attend the supper. Admission is free. However, donations will be accepted at the door, and a silent auction will be held to encourage contributions to the committee’s ongoing efforts to relocate families in need. Adrian Colon, Sr., and volunteers from all three churches will prepare the delicious and authentic Puerto Rican meal.
First Congregational Church Senior Minister Steve Jungkeit said, “We are proud to link arms with our friends at Christ The King and Saint Ann’s to support the resettlement of the Colon family, and welcome them as our new neighbors. We are proud of all the efforts made by the Old Lyme community to help this family in need. I invite everyone to join us for the fund-raising supper – an evening of great food, warmth and camaraderie that comes from neighbors helping neighbors. ”
The three churches and the Old Lyme Refugee Resettlement Committee encourage residents who have questions or would like to make a donation to communicate with any of the church offices via email: FCCOL: [email protected]; Christ the King Church: [email protected]; Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church: [email protected].