Press Release

Ashlar Village and Laskara Restaurant Team Up to Raise Scholarship Funds - 6/2/2008

Wallingford, CT, June 2, 2008.......In 2004, a group of Ashlar Village residents established a Scholarship Fund to provide educational scholarships for young people who either work at Ashlar Village or are children of employees.  According to Blanche Newman, Chairwoman of the Ashlar Village Scholarship Fund and one of the originators of the plan, "As residents, we felt it was one way we could show how much we enjoy our interaction with these young men and women and our appreciation for the entire staff's dedication and hard work."

The scholarship funds are raised in a variety of ways, but mainly through the sale of unique, handmade craft and clothing items in The Ashlar Village Specialty Shop, which is manned and stocked solely by resident volunteers.  The Scholarship Committee, which annually awards the scholarships after a full review of the applications, includes representatives from the Ashlar Village community, staff members, and a member of the Board of Directors.   This year, 17 individuals will receive scholarships.

For the third time, Yiannis (John) Kontothanasis, owner of Laskara Restaurant on Parker Farms Road, hosted a fundraiser at the restaurant to help the group raise money for scholarship recipients.  Mr. Kontothanasis donated 10% of the restaurant's proceeds from all lunches and dinners served that day, and an additional $500 was raised for the fund.

Mrs. Newman and Walter Serbent, who oversaw the event in cooperation with the restaurant's manager, Deborah Buckman, were extremely pleased with the great turnout and also with John's willingness to help the cause.  "Laskara has been a favorite dining spot for many Ashlar Village residents, and John's kindness and generosity have made it even more so!"

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PHOTO CAPTION -

Deborah Buckman, RIGHT, manager of Laskara Restaurant in Wallingford, presents a check for $500 to Ashlar Village Residents Blanche Newman and Walter Serbent.

Penny O'Neill
Public Relations Manager
Masonicare
203-679-5041
poneill@masonicare.org
www.masonicare.org

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