Town Turns Out for Ben's Lighthouse Ice Cream Social

Ben's Lighthouse organizers expected a big turnout for their back-to-school ice cream social Saturday. But they didn't expect anything like this.

"Ferris Acres [Creamery] brought enough ice cream for 1,000 people," said organizer Carla Tischio at about 3:00 p.m. "We've had to go back for more twice now."

Saturday's social was the second major event from Ben's Lighthouse since launching earlier this summer. They promoted the event as a chance for kids to share in happy moments, and for community leaders to give back -- teachers, coaches, clergy and town officials (including First Selectman Pat Llodra, Superintendent John Reed and members of the Board of Education) were among those serving ice cream.

Reed Intermediate School teacher Karen King was one of those scooping ice cream. King participates in a lot of events around town.

"But this is the best thing I do," she said. "Hands down. No one's asking for anything here -- this is all just for the kids."

When King saw the lighthouse going up outside Trinity Episcopal Church, she said she knew she had to get involved. During summer classes, she and other teachers worked with kids on understanding the symbolic importance of the lighthouse in the healing process.

"We talked about everything lighthouses represent," she said. "Lighthouses are a beacon in the darkness, a way to carry people home."

Two young students who learned about lighthouses over the summer made their way to today's social. Kimberly and Devin Johnson, visiting with their mother Patricia, did presentations for Tischio's class.

"Basically we all got caught up in the rush," said Kimberly.

"I came for the ice cream," said Devin. "But I stayed because Ben's Lighthouse supports the town and the local community."

Local vendors included a string of organizations focused on healing and positivity in Newtown: jewelry shop A Bead of Roses, who have helped created tribute pieces for the victims of 12/14; Ben's Bells; Newtown Kindness, an organization in honor of Charlotte Bacon; and the in-the-works Newtown Resiliency Center, which plans to open on Main Street in September.

"We want to remind people of the support they have here in Newtown," said Tischio. " And I've seen a lot of happy people -- a lot of grateful people."