The Nov. 13 Spaghetti Dinner to raise funds for HEAT's emergency heating assistance program for Old Saybrook families in need was a success. More than $10,000 was raised.

Besides the financial success of the Spaghetti Dinner, there was something very special about the dinner-the community came together to support the dinner. Our Old Saybrook Stop & Shop (thanks go to Joe Marino) donated all the ingredients for the dinner. Volunteers from AFSCME Local 1303-278 of Old Saybrook (the town employees' union) served the dinners throughout the evening. Ashley, Kyle, and Terri Savino and Danielle LaMay bused tables all evening. Volunteers from Old Saybrook Fire Department (Vito Savino, Ron Baldi, David LaMay, Chief Mosca, and Bob Antoniac) were in the kitchen preparing the dinners. The community coming together was further evidenced by the Old Saybrook Fire Department donating the use of Fireman's Field and by our major sponsors, Old Saybrook Rotary and Harbor News, our media sponsor.

The $10,000 raised at the Spaghetti Dinner is just the beginning. With the increasing numbers of families applying for heating assistance this winter, we need to raise further funds.

Matthew RubinOld Saybrook