Ox Ridge students cards for foster care kids

Ox Ridge Students Give Time; Their Parents, Gift Cards to Foster Care Program Kids

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For the 20th year in a row, Ox Ridge Elementary School in Darien again this holiday season supported Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) and the young people in the organization’s Foster Care program. — an announcement from Family & Children’s Agency

FCA provides services for children, families, adults, and seniors, including specialized foster care, which is designed for children with serious medical, emotional, and behavioral disorders. More than 60 kids from Ox Ridge School’s Kids Care Club gathered before school to create holiday cards for youth in Foster Care using colored paper, stickers, crayons, and other art supplies. “It has been our privilege to work with Family & Children’s Agency for the last 20 years,” said Lauren Stisser of the Kids Care Club. “Through Ox Ridge Elementary School’s Kids Care Club and Hope Chest, we have been able to teach our kids the importance and true joy of giving back, and that even small hands can make a big difference,” Stisser said.

Kids playing instruments Play, Sing, Listen!

Stamford Symphony Launches Program to Engage and Educate Kids About Music

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Stamford Symphony is launching Play, Sing, Listen! The Education Fund of Stamford Symphony, a new initiative focusing on education and youth engagement across Fairfield County. 
The program is meant to ensure that all youth in local communities have access to high-quality music education opportunities encouraging them to explore, appreciate, perform, and create music. At the same time the program should nurture important life skills, including creativity, listening, problem-solving, and self-esteem. — an announcement from Stamford Symphony 

One of the program’s goals within the next five years is to “have at least one educational program (instrument bootcamps, chamber performances, masterclasses, etc.) in every town across Fairfield County.” Stamford Symphony is continuing to raise money for the project.

STAR Inc gifts to kids in Rubino Center

Students Make Holidays Brighter for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

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Each child in the STAR Rubino Family Center, an early intervention pediatric therapy program in Norwalk, will receive a handmade card with a cheerful holiday note along with a book to enjoy during the holidays, thanks to a project spearheaded by Amanda King Heavey and her son, Will. — an announcement from  STAR Inc., Lighting the Way

Heavey, a STAR board member and New Canaan resident, and Will, a student at East School in New Canaan, were joined by students in Grades K-4, the Community Service committee of volunteer parents, the PTC board, and Principal Mrs.Woleck came together to give the holiday gifts. Along with the gifts to individual children, the project is also providing a specially curated selection of books that address age appropriate understanding of unique abilities, inclusion, diversity, and kindness will be shared at the school and donated to STAR Rubino Family Center lending library. Through STAR Rubino Family Center, STAR provides a multi-lingual program for children experiencing, or at risk of, developmental delays. This program, generously supported in part by The New Canaan Community Foundation and The Community Fund of Darien and other generous grants, offers services from birth through age eight.

Lindsay Ferretti Becomes Darien’s First Female Eagle Scout

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In a first for Darien Scouting, Lindsay Ferretti was honored Sunday as Darien’s first female Eagle Scout. — an announcement from Darien Scouts

Lindsay has always been involved in community service, as an altar server at St. John Church, a volunteer at Person-to-Person, and even helping rebuild a home in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. After just a few weeks in Troop 219, Lindsay was chosen to be the senior patrol leader as the girls attended their first week ever at Camp Sequassen summer camp. For her Eagle project, Lindsay lead a team painting over 50 yellow fire hydrant locater markings on telephone poles to aid firefighters in quickly locating the closest hydrant in an emergency.

Darien Library Tween Book Club event

Booktweens (9 to 12 Years Old) Invited to Read a Mystery, Tell Others What You Think on Dec 29

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Darien Library invites bookworms between the ages of 9 and 12 to join this month’s Tween Book Club. Read any book that falls under the month’s theme, then stop by the virtual book group to chat with fellow book lovers. Share book recommendations, enjoy snacks, and find a safe space to share your thoughts. December’s theme is “M is for Mystery.” Read or listen to a book that centers on a character that has to solve a mystery. This story can be in any format, from chapter books to audiobooks to graphic novels.

Square Dazzling December YWCA Darien/Norwalk 2021

Dazzling December Shopping Night at Everything Is Rosey Supports YW’s Parent Awareness Programs

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YWCA of Darien/Norwalk’s annual Dazzling December shopping event, a fun and festive evening celebrating the upcoming holiday season, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9 at Everything is Rosey in Darien. — an announcement from the YWCA of Darien/Norwalk

Everything is Rosey at 1072 Post Road in Darien offers a wide array of colorful apparel, resort wear and unique holiday gifts. Light hors d’oeuvres and complimentary wine tastings will be served by local Scout & Cellar representative Sally Betz. Several gift baskets will be raffled off throughout the evening.

Methodist Family Childrens Preschool Thanksgiving Sing

Methodist Family Center Preschool Collects Record-Breaking Amount in Annual Food Drive for P2P

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A record-breaking 300 canned and dry goods were collected for Person-to-Person’s pantry at the recent “Thanksgiving Sing” at the Methodist Family Center Preschool. — an announcement from the Methodist Family Center Preschool

On a bright and unseasonably warm November morning, the MFCP welcomed the school’s families to the Thanksgiving Sing, a cherished annual tradition that had been canceled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The ‘Sing’ as it is affectionately called, concluded a month-long food drive in partnership with Person to Person’s Darien Pantry and their mobile food pantry, P2P On Wheels. Children ages 3 to 5 began the Sing by bringing their food donations and placing them in a basket. “Listening to the children sing reminds us of how blessed we are to come together on a gorgeous day with the sole purpose of being thankful,” said MFCP Director Laurie Anderson.

Stamford Park Party Nov 2021

Free, Family Friendly ‘Park Party’ With Giant Thanksgiving Parade Balloons in Stamford This Sunday

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A free, family-friendly “Parade Spectacular Park Party” with giant parade balloons, entertainment and photos with Santa, will take place throughout Mill River Park in downtown Stamford this coming Sunday afternoon, Nov. 21. The party is a replacement for the city’s traditional giant balloon Thanksgiving parade, which was also cancelled last year. The event, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. (but will “loop, in hour-long segments” according to this report in the Stamford Advocate) is sponsored by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District, which has been sponsoring downtown holiday events for decades. No tickets or pre-registration is required.

Halloween Safety Darien Police 2021

Halloween Safety Tips From Darien Police for Parents, Trick-or-Treaters, Householders and Drivers

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In order to assist our community in enjoying this fun-filled holiday as safely as possible, the Darien Police Department has compiled a list of Halloween safety tips. To enjoy a fun and safe Halloween, we suggest parents, children, motorists, and homeowners follow this advice:

PARENTS
• Always escort your children and carry a flashlight. • Be familiar with the neighborhood where your children will be trick-or-treating. • Set a specific time for your child/children to be out. • Always know who is trick-or-treating with your children.