Charity Events and Opportunities
Katharine Hedlund publicity photo

Jazz Vocalist and Pianist Katharine Hedlund Performs Friday in Darien

By |
Download PDF

Noted jazz vocalist and pianist Katharine Hedlund, who grew up in Darien, will return to town Friday night for a benefit concert at the First Congregational Church of Darien. Katharine, who grew up in Darien, is often compared to Norah Jones and Diana Krall but is a unique and captivating jazz/soul singer in her own right. She will be accompanied by two other former Darien residents: drummer Willie Bruno and bassist Nick Trautmann. — an announcement from the First Congregational Church of Darien

The concert takes place Friday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Road.

Community Organizations
STAR clients Thanksgiving

Former Darien Residents Host Thanksgiving for People with Developmental Disabilities

By |
Download PDF

A traditional Thanksgiving feast will take place on Thursday, Nov. 22, to be enjoyed by 65 local individuals with developmental disabilities who are unable to be with family or friends. — an announcement from STAR Inc., Lighting the Way

For the last 17 years, Polly and John Lowman of New Canaan, formerly of Darien, have hosted this joyous Thanksgiving meal to ensure that all STAR clients enjoy a family-style holiday celebration with a traditional Thanksgiving meal complete with games and holiday karaoke. This year, the Thanksgiving meal will be served at Martin House in Norwalk, a beautiful waterfront home that STAR recently acquired from the State of Connecticut that houses eight adult residents with I/DD [intellectual and developmental disabilities]. “We are so grateful to the Lowmans for continuing their long-standing, generous tradition of hosting our annual Thanksgiving meal for our clients that are unable to be with family,” STAR Executive Director, Katie Banzhaf said.

Community Organizations
logo Star Inc Lighting the Way square thumbnail

Estate Planning for Parents of Children With Special Needs: Presentation Oct 3 in Westport

By |
Download PDF

Parents of children with special needs are invited to a presentation co-sponsored by STAR Inc., Lighting the Way on strategies for special-needs estate planning on Oct. 3, in Westport. — an announcement from STAR Inc., Lighting the Way

Several financial planning specialists will conduct the free presentation and informal discussion: Kimberly Greenberg, a STAR Birth to Three parent, and Armand Del Medico, both investment managers with UBS; Jamal Davis, a wealth planning Specialist also with UBS; and Jennifer Basciano, principal of Brody Wilkinson Law Group. This combination of expertise provides a powerful holistic solution based team. If You’re Going …

Community Organizations
DHS students STAR employee clients

Three Darien High School Seniors Raise Funds for Local Toddlers With Developmental Delays

By |
Download PDF

Three recent graduates of Darien High School — Lauren Larizza, Owen Stevens and Olivia Taylor — spearheaded a project to support STAR, Inc. as part of their senior internship with The Community Fund of Darien. With their involvement in the Youth Community Fund allocations, these intelligent, kind and proactive interns were aware of STAR’s funding shortfall to complete an important project to benefit toddlers in our community. — This article combines an announcement from STAR Inc. Lighting the Way, along with the text of the fundraising appeal from the students’ project. They were inspired to create and manage a project on The Impact Vine — an online giving platform founded by The Community Fund of Darien to support local nonprofits. Their mission was to raise an additional $750 to purchase iPads and learning software for STAR’s Birth to Three program.