Back to school

Human Services Director Thanks Those Who Gave to the Back-to-School Program

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To the Darien Community,

On behalf of the Department of Human Services, we would like to thank everyone who supported our Back-to-School program with backpacks, school supplies, gift cards, and donations. Your support helped to send over 124 children back to school with much-needed supplies. A big thanks goes to the Darien High School Parents Association; and the chairs, Lori Olson and Joan Kanlian, and the co-chairs of the Spirit Wear Committee; Amanda Smith and Sheila Molly, who donated dozens of Darien High School Spirit Wear. Our clients were thrilled to receive the new sweatshirts, sweatpants, pajamas, and tee shirts. We were also overwhelmed with the generosity of the local elementary schools, Tokeneke, Ox Ridge, Hindley, and Royle.

Gift Tree 2015

Darien Human Services Says 1 in 20 Darienites Live in Poverty: You Can Help Them

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Darien Human Services is encouraging residents to help their neighbors through the Gingerbread Man Tree in Town Hall. Every year during the holidays, the Darien Department of Human Services reaches out to these residents and provides toys, gifts, clothing and gift cards to families and seniors in need. Although the economy has improved slightly in recent months, people continue to struggle, and about 5 percent of Darien residents live at or below the poverty level. The Gingerbread Man Tree is located in the lobby and is decorated with colorful gingerbread men labeled with various gift ideas. Here are some:

Feed A Mind — Children’s Books, Educational Games/Toys or a Gift Card to a Local Book Store

Spread the Holiday Joy — Gift Card for Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, or Kohl’s
Buy a Holiday Meal — Gift Card for Stop & Shop, Palmer’s or ShopRite
Help a Neighbor Get To Work — Gift card for Gas
Keep a Family Warm — Donations to Darien Human Services Gift Fund to help pay for heat
Give a Gift of Clothing — Socks, Leggings, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Sweat Shirts and Sweat Pants
Make a Wish come True — Trucks, Cars, Sports balls, Dolls, Legos, Games, Sleds, Arts & Crafts

These gifts will directly benefit needy children, families, and seniors in town.

Darien DS flyer back to school supplies 6-13-16

Help the Town Human Services Dept Make Sure Every Darien Student Has School Supplies

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Update, Aug. 19: The Darien Department of Human Services is giving out school supplies and can still use more large backpacks. The department accepts donations at Town Hall. Update, Aug. 5: The town Department of Human Services could especially use more large, high-school-student-size backpacks (Costco has good ones) and book covers for its back-to-school program to make sure every student has enough supplies.