Daily Five: Fill The Cruiser, An Essay Contest And Boots For Children

1.  Today is Thursday, Dec. 8.  The National Weather Service predicts sunny skies, a high temperature of 47 degrees and a breeze. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low of 35.

2.  The Groton Town Police Department will hold its annual “Fill the Cruiser” toy campaign from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Groton Walmart on Route 184. The police department is competing with recruiters from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, who will have their own vehicles at the Walmart, to see who can collect the most gifts. All proceeds will go to “Toys for Tots” and Groton Human Services. 

3.  Congressman Joseph Courtney has been appointed to the conference committee that sets the federal budget for the Department of Defense for the 2012 fiscal year. The committee for the National Defense Authorization Act handles billions of dollars, including investments at Electric Boat and other defense spending in Eastern Connecticut.

4.  High school students are being invited to submit entries for the 2012 First Amendment Essay Contest, sponsored by the ACLU Foundation of Connecticut. The first place prize is $1,000, second place is $500 and third place is $250. The essay question is: A new Connecticut law requires schools to prohibit bullying, including communication that causes “emotional harm.” Explain whether the mandate to stop bullying can be reconciled with the right to freedom of speech and support your argument. Contest rules and instructions are available at acluct.org/essay.

5.  Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc., is asking for help buying winter boots for children. The Santa Anonymous Winter Boot Program receives referrals from local schools for children that need boots, and has more than 1,000 this year. Last year, the number was 700. The program has 180 pairs of boots that have not been assigned to someone to buy. If you can help, call Helen Granskog at (860) 425-6617.