Wingman Program seeks sponsors for initiative 

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NAUGATUCK — City Hill Middle School’s Wingman Program is looking to partner with business sponsors to help spread Autism awareness.

The Wingman Program is part of Dylan’s Wings of Change, a nonprofit organization founded to honor Dylan Hockley. Hockley was one of the students killed during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. The program’s goal is to promote inclusion, foster teamwork and build a positive environment whereby all students can grow into self-sufficient, caring community members.

City Hill was one of three middle schools in the state selected to pilot the program last school year.

The program is now selling large wooden puzzle pieces. Students from City Hill and Naugatuck High School will paint businesses’ logos and designs on them, and they will be displayed throughout Naugatuck during April in conjunction with Autism Awareness Month.

The cost of a puzzle piece is $100 and the proceeds will benefit activities planned by the Wingman Program at City Hill.

Among the activities planned for the coming school year is a speech by motivational speaker Eddie Slowikowski on Sept. 15. The first 100 businesses that sponsor a puzzle piece before Sept. 12 will be invited to hear Slowikowski speak. Businesses that sponsor a puzzle piece will also be given a string of blue lights to display in their storefront during April for Autism awareness.

For more information or to purchase a puzzle piece, email City Hill teacher Christina Rinaldi at Christina.Rinaldi@naugatuck.k12.ct.us.