Government & Politics
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.

Government & Politics
Pond Weed House Darien Picabu Wikipedia

Seniors, Disabled Eligible for Money Back on Some Rent: See Town Human Services Dept

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Darien senior citizens and disabled people who are renters may be eligible for a rent rebate from the State of Connecticut for the year 2016. The program, which is now in progress, will continue through Sept. 31, 2017 at the Darien Human Services Department. ___________

— an announcement from the Darien Human Services Department

___________

Eligibility requirements: One-year residency in Connecticut, age 65 as of December 31, 2016 or receives Social Security Disability. Income guidelines are: Married couple must not exceed $42,900 in annual income and unmarried not exceed $35,200.

Community Organizations
Olive Hauser Director of Human Services

Olive Hauser: Retiring as Darien Social Services Director, Helped Build Nonprofits in Town

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Olive Hauser, Darien’s social services director, retiring on April 3 after 26 years with the town, hasn’t just administered a town department — she’s also been a volunteer with and board member for a number of social service nonprofit groups in town. 

She’s been the chair of the Darien Unit of the Salvation Army (she started the kettle donation program in town), on the board of the United Way of Darien (now the Community Fund of Darien), the Andrew Shaw Boy Scout Cabin, the advisory board of Person-to-Person and was the first chair of the advisory committee of Aging In Place, which became At Home in Darien (now she sits on the governing board). One of the things Hauser says she wants to do in retirement is continue working with Aging In Place. Visiting Hauser’s office last week, a reporter almost tripped over one of the metal Salvation Army collection buckets she was storing there. Hauser recruits volunteers to ring the bells in front of stores in town each Christmas season. Of the money collected in Darien, 90 percent stays in the town to help local residents with food, clothing, shelter and heat — a total of $5,099 was collected this past season.