05/09/2025
Thank you, Villager Newspapers, for visiting with us, to all the volunteers and donors, and especially to Lapsley Orchard for allowing us to enjoy your beautiful space!
Jason Bleau
Kate and Madelyn Taylor of Brooklyn show off their harvest during Sunflowers for Kids.
Sunflowers for Kids marks 20th anniversary
BY JASON BLEAU
VILLAGER CORRESPONDENT
POMFRET — United Services of Connecticut celebrated a major milestone for one of its most popular annual fundraising events on Aug. 31 with the 20th annual Sunflower for Kids in Pomfret.
As the name implies, the day allows visitors to pick sunflowers with the proceeds from the harvest helping United Services in its mission to enhance community health and happiness. Lapsley Orchard has long been the home of this colorful community gathering which also serves as a welcome for the fall season for many in the region. Now two decades strong, the event is always a highlight of United Services’ calendar as they bring together local organizations and their own staff to educate visitors about their programs.
Cherie Poirier, Director of Development and Communications for United Services of Connecticut, called the twenty-year anniversary a special time for all offering a colorful and fun morning and afternoon for guests as United Services seeks to spread awareness of their programs. She also thanked Lapsley Orchard for their longstanding partnership with thew agency.
“Twenty years means so much. This community has grown overwhelmingly during that time; To be able to pull everyone together and do some art, some wonderful flower picking, and enjoying this transition from summer to fall, I think it’s the most beautiful time of year to build awareness of the most important things, taking care of our kids and those that take care of them,” said Poirier. “(Lapsley Orchard’s) dedication is beyond words. They allow us to use this beautiful space, smell these beautiful smells, and it’s unbelievable. It’s just so energizing to see what they are able to do all summer long and all year round and then to be able to let us come in, pick the flowers, and to share then with our community members is a wonderful opportunity. We thank them very much from the bottom of our hearts.”
Julia Resener, an Assistant Development and Prevention Coordinator with United Services, called Sunflowers for Kids a true community event that brings many together at the same time every year for a unified cause.
“It really shows our community can come together. It’s fun, we provide resources and hand out activities for the kids. We try to make it a fun family day. It’s a great milestone that this event has grown so much that we can still do it 20 years later,” Resener said. “A lot of people that come and stop by learn that we’re a resource for them and they learn that if they do need anything from any of our services, we have that for them and they can call any time they’re in need.”
United Services has two local locations, one in Moosup and another in Dayville. Their services include counselling for youth and adults, substance abuse treatment, supportive housing, case management, primary care, and an in-house pharmacy. They also provide the regions only domestic violence programs.
Those looking to learn more about the organization or to find a way to volunteer or donation can visit unitedservicesct.org for more information.
