Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity
About S.H.O.P.Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (S.H.O.P.) has been instrumental in supporting the Sandy Hook Village community and business district by implementing ongoing revitalization, marketing, business growth, philanthropy, advocacy and Arts & Culture initiatives since the 80s. The group’s mission is to promote the village as a family friendly, pedestrian-oriented community within Newtown which celebrates Sandy Hook’s unique historic heritage and beautiful natural setting. SHOP Board Members are made up of local Sandy Hook residents, storefront property owners, as well as local business owners
S.H.O.P is always looking to collaborate with other local and national organizations to create initiatives that help grow and revitalize the local community. We seek passionate volunteers on an ongoing basis who can help with everything from village beautification projects, to public relations to event planning and more. If you are interested in collaborating with or volunteering for S.H.O.P. please contact Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity at sandyhookvillage.gmail.com.
Want to become a S.H.O.P. Member? If so, please complete the “New Member Form” at this link: New SHOP Member Registration Form. Please feel free to contact any Board Member at Sandyhookvillage@gmail.com if you have any questions or are interested in joining S.H.O.P.
S.H.O.P. Board Members
Michael Burton
President
I have been a resident of Sandy Hook for the past 37 years. Having owned and operated my own construction and development business, Michael Burton Builders, Inc., since 1983, it has been my privilege to be involved in SHOP. While many of the activities and projects that SHOP has been involved with over the years, the most exciting endeavor to date is the current construction of Heritage Park. SHOP’s partnership with the Town of Newtown is allowing us to transform a former brownfield site on Glen Road into an outdoor public space that will benefit the community for generations to come.
Joe Hemingway
Vice President
My wife Maribeth and I have lived in Sandy Hook for 34 years. We raised our two daughters, Sarah and Maggie, here, they attended SHS, and Sarah was also a student teacher there. When I first joined the SHS PTA, they were just starting a project to replace their playground, and I had experience in playgrounds, having been a project manager on several school projects. I helped them raise the money and assemble a team to install it. This project started my interest in local politics, and I was on the Legislative Council for 6 years. I also served on several other boards and commissions, and while serving on the Economic development commission, I became familiar with a group called SHOP. I worked with them while on the EDC and the council and later joined the group, not as a business owner but as a citizen who loved everything about our little village. I have served as President as well as Vice president over the years. I am very excited by all the changes we have been able to help Sandy Hook through, and we are all looking forward to the completion of the heritage trail. These are very exciting times for Sandy Hook.
Sharon Doherty
Treasurer
I was born and raised here in Sandy Hook. I spent many hours as a child in Sandy Hook Village.
I met my husband Dan in 1997 and we purchased our first home here in Sandy Hook where we started our family. We had 2 boys, Patrick and Joseph. When we were searching for our home we kept coming back to the house we now live in, I guess I just couldn’t bring myself to move away from the quaint town I grew up in.
Shortly after 2000 my husband and I decided to invest in a business here in Sandy Hook. My knowledge of Sandy Hook lead me to believe that a Laundromat business would be an asset to the community.
In 2001 we launched PJ’s Laundromat in its current location 110 Church Hill Rd, which is named after our 2 boys.
I joined SHOP several years ago because I believe community involvement is important as a business owner and community member. I believe that we have a thriving community here in Sandy Hook Village and I look forward to being a part of its continued success.
I’m currently the Vice President of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, Ladies Auxiliary, and also a member of St. Rose Parish.
I look forward to being Treasurer for SHOP and I am excited to further serve this community.
Teressa Gillette
Secretary
Maribeth Hemingway
Member-At-Large
As the daughter of a family business owner, I have known the importance of small businesses my whole life. Now part of the community for over 100 years, I grew up watching my dad make our family business thrive and be a key part of the local community. I now work alongside my brothers to carry on that tradition.
My husband, Joe, and I moved to Sandy Hook 34 years ago, and it became our family home. When our daughters, Sarah and Maggie, were young, I helped organize neighborhood Christmas caroling and Easter Egg Hunts, served as a Girl Scout troop leader, and volunteered with the Newtown Torpedoes. Our family has always been involved with this community, and has always found it a place to have fun, make memories, and be together.
More recently, I’ve become involved with the Catherine Hubbard Foundation and the Newtown Strong Therapy Dogs, giving back to the community that means so much to our family. As the SHOP Event Coordinator I’ve also worked to help make Sandy Hook Village a place where locals and visitors love to be. I’ve organized the Adopt-A-Lampost program as a fundraising effort to support our new Heritage Park and the former Passport to Sandy Hook events. I work with our incredible team to put on events like the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and fall concerts. If you’d like to be part of the team that works puts on these events, please feel free to reach out!