Donations sought for scholarship fund

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NAUGATUCK — The COVID-19 pandemic canceled that annual golf tournament to benefit the Josh Ruccio Memorial Scholarship Fund, but donations are still being accepted to help fund scholarships for students.

The fund is named after Josh Ruccio, who died suddenly in 2012 at the age of 35. Ruccio played baseball and basketball at Naugatuck High School and coached youth sports in the borough. The fund provides scholarships to graduating Naugatuck High seniors and has awarded over $50,000 since 2012.

Jodie Burns, a first grade teacher at Maple Hill Elementary School who oversees the fund, is still seeking to raise $10,000 for 20 $500 scholarships and reached out to the community through Facebook. As of last week, she said about $5,000 had been donated.

“I have had amazing responses on Facebook with so many generous donations,” Burns said.

People can send donations to Burns electronically via Venmo to @jodieburns3. Checks made out to Joshua Ruccio Scholarship Fund can also be dropped off at Liberty Bank.