Community Organizations

Abilis Launches ‘Sibshops’ for 10- to 14-Year-Old Siblings of Those with Disabilities

‘Barnraising’ Event Raises $15K for Mather Homestead Foundation’s New Education Center

YWCA Darien/Norwalk Announces New Leadership Team

Volunteers From Two Darien Churches Help Improve Homes For Low-Income People

Americares Dedicates $2.5 Million in Medicine, Relief Supplies for Wildfire Victims in Western States

Community Fund of Darien Appoints Heather Gordon as New Youth Program Manager

Gather a Group and Compete in ‘Mission: Possible’, Community Fund of Darien’s One-Week Contest

Museum of Darien Costume Curator Babs White Announces Retirement After 50 Years

Darien TV79 Upgrade Now Allows More Programming Each Day — Got an Idea for a New Show?

Darien Native Tim Bosek Joins Americares Board of Directors

Corbin Cares Initiative for Food-Insecure Families and Seniors Extended to July 3

Georgette Harrison Selected as Next Chair of Darien Thriving Youth Task Force

Person-to-Person Is Giving Out More Groceries and Is Asking for Your Food Donations

Merritt Parkway Partnership Wins National Award for Bridge Project

Stars and Comedy Stars Align to Perform on Youtube Friday, May 1 in Benefit for Americares

By DARIENITE.COM | September 30, 2020

Darien Foundation 2020

By DARIENITE.COM | September 28, 2020

Community Organizations

By DARIENITE.COM | September 24, 2020

Churches

By DARIENITE.COM | September 19, 2020

Americares 2020

By DARIENITE.COM | September 18, 2020

Community Organizations

By DARIENITE.COM | September 16, 2020

Charity Events and Opportunities

By DARIENITE.COM | September 9, 2020

Babs White

By DARIENITE.COM | September 2, 2020

Community Organizations

By DARIENITE.COM | July 12, 2020

Community Organizations

By DARIENITE.COM | July 9, 2020

Community Organizations

By DARIENITE.COM | June 5, 2020

Community Organizations

By DARIENITE.COM | June 1, 2020

Charity Events and Opportunities

By DARIENITE.COM | May 11, 2020

Community Organizations

By DARIENITE.COM | May 4, 2020

Arts & Entertainment

By DARIENITE.COM | April 23, 2020

Abilis is launching “Sibshops” for children ages 10-to-14 who are brothers and sisters of someone who has a disability. Sibshops are high-spirited and fun workshops and events that combine recreation, discussion and information for siblings who endure the good (and sometimes not-so good) parts of having a sibling with a disability. — an announcement from Abilis

Sibshops provide a safe space for siblings to share their thoughts and feelings while also meeting others in similar circumstances and provides a place to enjoy themselves through different recreation activities and through playing games while also learning about the services their brother(s) or sister(s) receive. Sibshops will hold monthly meetings or events, beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and running through Dec.

The Mather Homestead Foundation celebrated the opening of its recently completed Elizabeth W. Chilton Education Center on Sept. 19 with an outdoor picnic-style fundraising event. — an announcement from the Mather Homestead Foundation and the Darien Foundation

While the event was capped at 100 guests, pursuant to state guidelines, it raised nearly $15,000, which will aid in the project’s completion. “We enjoyed fun live music from Sweet Colleen and the Poor Excuses (bluegrass!), gourmet boxed dinners from TOASTs, specialty cocktails from SoNo1420, and wine from DB Wines in New Canaan all under the beautiful starry night,” the Mather Foundation said on its website. Earlier this year, the foundation completed the “barn” — the Chilton Education Center — which will allow Mather Homestead to expand its programming to include scholars’ lectures, art exhibits concerts, films and even yoga classes.

The YWCA Darien/Norwalk Board of Directors announced a new management team for the organization “to continue the organization’s mission driven work and programs supporting the community.” Here’s the rest of the announcement from the YWCA Darien/Norwalk:

The team will include:

—Marli Hayes, who will be interim president/CEO and will continue in her role as director of community services. —Sara Mirsky, will assume the role of director of memberships, as well as overseeing the YWCA’s Toddler Time and Summer Fun programs.

—Carol Donnelly is the director of finance

—Jen Russey will manage media, marketing and the website as director of communications. “This new leadership team gives us a stronger operational structure and clears the way for deeper partnerships between the YWCA Darien/Norwalk and it’s members and community partners,” said Aidan Welsh of the YWCA Board of Directors. “The Board is thrilled to work with these four talented women who all bring a high level of enthusiasm and experience to their roles.”
Week Without Violence
The team’s first collaborative project will be YWCA’s Annual Week Without Violence.

Deirdre Crouch Talmadge Hill Community Church

Volunteers from two faith communities in Darien proved that positive community work and COVID-19 compliance can go hand in rubber glove. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Talmadge Hill Community Church joined 10 other groups revitalizing 12 low-income homes across the state during this year’s re-scheduled HomeFront Day on Sept. 12. — an announcement from HomeFront

Community helpers focused exclusively on exterior repairs, addressing dangerous steps and walkways, rotting decks, yard cleanups and homes long overdue for fresh coats of paint.

Americares has committed $2.5 million in aid for the wildfires raging throughout the western United States. Americares support will include critically needed medicine and relief supplies valued at $2 million plus at least $500,000 in financial support for families and health care centers in affected areas. — an announcement from Americares

The record blazes have scorched millions of acres of land, blanketed the region with hazardous smoke, displaced tens of thousands of people and led to more than 30 deaths. With over 100 wildfires burning throughout the West Coast, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle have all experienced “unhealthy” air quality during the last week, prompting one monitoring organization to declare those cities as having the worst air quality in the world. In California, where smoke particles colored the skies red and orange, more than 3.3 million acres have burned, with six of the state’s 20 largest wildfires in history occurring this year alone.

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The Community Fund of Darien has added a new staff position — youth program manager — to oversee and coordinate TCF’s four student youth groups. The first manager is Heather Gordon, also works in the Noroton Presbyterian Church’s Youth Ministry. She has years of experience as a volunteer in organizations, including youth-oriented groups. — This announcement (with edits by Darienite.com) was written by two TCF summer interns, Darien students Isabelle Garrett and Alyse Wright-Webb. Heather is an extremely involved volunteer, having previously partnered with organizations such as Young Life, Trinity Church, Save the Children, and the YMCA.

Promotional image for Mission: Possible from the Community Fund of Darien

The Community Fund of Darien’s invites groups of friends and family members to compete in the TCF’s inaugural “community chase” competition, “Mission: Possible!” The contest supports local nonprofits. Looking for a way to connect with friends and family while supporting our community at the same time? Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to join the TCF’s virtual competition for teams of all ages. Mission: Possible! is a fun-filled, socially distanced event that will take place the week of Sept.

Trends come and go, but a true classic stands the test of time. No one exemplifies that fashion truism more than Babs White, the Museum’s widely respected and well-beloved Costume Curator who recently announced her retirement after nearly a half century. — an announcement from the Museum of Darien

“It’s been a lot of fun,” said White, who recently celebrated her 95th birthday. “The collection has been the focus of my life.”

With over 3,000 items, including antique dresses, shoes and accessories, the Museum’s Costume Collection is recognized as one of New England’s finest, and experts throughout the region have long sought out White’s guidance on exhibitions and fashion history. Since joining the Darien Historical Society in the late 1960s, White has curated fashion exhibitions at the Museum on a nearly annual basis.

Darien TV79, the town government television station, has expanded its program offerings thanks to a $50,000 grant for new technology from the Darien Foundation. The TV station has also announced that it is looking for programming from the community — so if you’d like to create a show, get in touch. — an announcement from Darien TV79 and the Darien Foundation

The station’s new CASTUS server system will allow scores of programs to run each day, bringing the Darien community a fresh look at all aspects of the town. In addition, the grant allowed TV79 to buy new cameras and video production gear. “Our old system allowed us to only air six shows a week,” said TV79 Program Director Jim Cameron.

Darien native Tim Bosek, a longtime volunteer with Americares and chairman of its Junior Council, has joined the organization’s Board of Directors. — an announcement from Americares
Bosek began a three-year term on the board of the the health-focused relief and development organization on July 1. “We are excited to welcome Tim to our Board of Directors,” said Americares President and CEO Christine Squires. “As chairman of Americares Junior Council and a longtime volunteer he is deeply committed to our mission to save lives and improve health for people affected by poverty or disaster.”
Bosek has served as chairman of Americares Junior Council since 2017, helping to grow the council from 34 members to nearly 100. “My family has been involved with Americares for almost 20 years and I keep a 2002 Americares supporter card in my wallet to this day,” Bosek said. “It has been incredibly rewarding to see the impact the organization has had on so many lives. I’m excited to help Americares continue to grow and I hope the Junior Council can play a greater role in getting younger people more involved.”
He is currently a vice president in the SPDR ETF division at State Street Global Advisors, the world’s third-largest asset manager. Prior to joining State Street, Mr. Bosek served as an associate director on the exchange traded funds strategy and due diligence team at UBS Wealth Management.

When Corbin Cares and the Darien Foundation partnered back in March to provide meals for Darien senior citizens and families impacted by the shelter-in-place order, the program was projected to wind down by Friday, May 22. However, the ongoing needs related to the pandemic have warranted the program’s extension to Friday, July 3. — an announcement from Corbin Cares and the Darien Foundation

“We conceived these meals to replace the lunches that were being served by the now closed Mather Senior Center and to support families who had relied on the school lunch program” said Sarah Woodberry, executive director of the Darien Foundation. “We are proud that as of May 22, this collaboration has provided 4,140 meals to those in need.”

Corbin Cares enlisted six local restaurants, including Bodega Taco Bar, Ten Twenty Post, Baldanza Bistro, Four Forks, Jake’s Place and UCBC, to provide healthy, boxed meals that are then distributed to the seniors and families. “It’s inspiring to be involved in a public private partnership like this,” said Ward Glassmeyer, chairman of The Darien Foundation.

Georgette Harrison wide facebook Thriving Youth Task Force

The Thriving Youth Task Force (TYTF) is excited to announce that Georgette Harrison will assume the role of executive board co-chair for the 2020/21 school year. — an announcement from the Darien Thriving Youth Task Force, a project of the Community Fund of Darien

She has participated in TYTF since 2016, most recently as subject matter expert. Harrison will succeed Darien Police Sgt. James Palmieri, who will complete his term as co-chair this year after also serving as a member of the task force for many years and an officer on the executive board since 2019. [see this letter to the editor] Sgt. Palmieri will remain on the executive board as a liaison to the Darien Police Department.

Person-to-Person (P2P) is calling on lower Fairfield County community to ensure the well-being of our neighbors during the pandemic by participating in P2P’s Food Drives. During the months of March and April, P2P has seen a 50% increase in its food assistance program. Meeting the increased need, P2P has provided groceries for more than 280,000 meals to more than 4,500 families. — an announcement from Person-to-Person

However, P2P is faced with a lack of food available for families, in part due to the cancellation of the annual National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. “Stamp Out Hunger is historically P2P’s largest annual food drive, bringing in an average of 68,000 pounds of food, enough food for 55,000 meals for families in need,” said Nancy Coughlin, CEO of Person-to-Person.

Lake Avenue Bridge Greenwich over Merritt Parkway black and gold metalwork restored

The recent rebuilding of the Lake Avenue Bridge over the Merritt Parkway in Greenwich has earned Connecticut a new award. A state agency, nonprofit group and business which all cooperated on the project to rebuild the bridge, part of the Merritt Parkway National Scenic Byway, won the 2020 Byway Organization’s Leveraging Services Award bestowed by the National Scenic Byway Foundation project. — an announcement from the Merritt Parkway Conservancy on behalf of the organizations in the partnership

Cited for their collaboration were the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Merritt Parkway Conservancy, and contractor Mohawk Northeast Inc.

Maintaining and repairing scenic byways, which are both transportation corridors and tourism and quality of life assets, often generate conflicts between competing missions of safety, efficiency and aesthetic stewardship among agencies responsible for their immediate upkeep and the communities who use them. “The next two generations of drivers on the Merritt will live with the way we treat it today,” Conservancy executive director Wes Haynes wrote to the foundation in appreciation for the award. “Returning this bridge to structural soundness and the way it looked when it was built in 1940 demonstrates that goals of safety, efficiency and aesthetics can be met through collaboration when everyone pulls in the same direction.”

The project required taking the bridge out of service to completely replace the structural steel.

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« August 2022 »

The biggest names in comedy are coming together to help health workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic with a special virtual comedy fest on Friday, May 1. The Covid Is No Joke comedy show will be a night of levity, laughter and community in support of frontline health workers—the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. — an announcement from Americares

The show will air LIVE on covidisnojoke.org and Americares YouTube channel at 8 p.m. EDT, benefitting Americares COVID-19 response. The star-studded event will feature a mix of sketches, stand-up comedy and heart-felt messages from:
Elizabeth Banks, Ike Barinholtz, Jack Black and Tenacious D, Wayne Brady, D’Arcy Carden, Kristin Chenoweth, Tom Cotter, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass, Will Ferrell, Gal Gadot, Kyle Gass, Linda Hamilton, Chelsea Handler, Mindy Kaling, Kerri Louise, Jonathan Mangum, Patton Oswalt, Natalia Reyes, Adam Scott, Finn Straley, Paige Weldon, Jenny Yang and more. Americares board member and actor, director, producer Tony Goldwyn will host the one-hour event.