Inn at Newtown Joins Effort to Help Sandy Hook

Feeling the same sense of helplessness as many in town and across the nation, and overcome with a desire to help the families of the Sandy Hook School tragedy in any way, the Inn at Newtown kicked off a year-long fundraiser last night.

"As a a business we wanted to do something to help," said Susan Anzalone, general manager. "It was the least we can do."

So last night the Inn hosted a special evening in which all profits and tips were donated to the families of the Dec. 14 shooting. Additionally, all money raised through a silent auction was to be passed on to the families, through the Newtown Rotary Foundation.

Many of the guests Patch talked to said they came to the Inn to support the cause. Even one of the Inn's servers, Ian Guilfoil, a 2008 Newtown High School graduate who now lives in Danbury, bid on an item — a gift certificate to My Place.

"I love supporting our cause," the 22-year-old said. "It feels good."

Other auction items donated included:

• Queen Street Gifts — Gift Basket
• Villarina's — Gift Basket
• Newtown Hardware — Gift Certificate
• Sal e Pepe's — $100 Gift Card
• Salon Michele — Gift Certificate
• D'Orazio Bakery — Gift Card
• Cork & Barrel — Wine
• Butcher's Best — Gift Certificate
• Mona Lisa — Gift Certificate
• 4 Red Sox tickets, 3rd base line (dates TBD)

Starting Jan. 13, the Inn at Newtown will host the first in what will be a monthly special brunch in which profits will be donated to families of the Sandy Hook School tragedy. It will be a first-come, first-serve event, so no reservations.