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Thank You, Scott Overbeck, for 10 Years of Coaching in Darien YMCA Basketball League

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Thank you, Scott Overbeck, for your volunteer coaching in the Darien YMCA’s winter house basketball league. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. Scott Overbeck’s Efforts with Darien Y’s Winter Basketball League

Scott has been a volunteer basketball coach for the Darien YMCA’s winter house basketball league for over 10 years. With five children who have played in our basketball league, Scott routinely coaches two teams a season which is no easy task. Coaching multiple teams has required him to have late Friday night practices to coordinate with his work schedule, sometimes having to leave work early.

Mike Wheeler Darien TV79 2019 volunteer recognition thumbnail wide Facebook Community Fund of Darien

Thank You, Mike Wheeler, for Your Volunteer Work Strengthening Darien TV79

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Thank you, Mike Wheeler, for your volunteer work for over a decade with DarienTV79, helping the organization greatly expand its coverage. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. Mike Wheeler’s Efforts with Darien TV79
Mike Wheeler has served on the Darien TV79 Advisory Board for over a decade, the last four years as its chairman. He has been a tireless advocate for ever-expanded programming, bringing the station’s coverage of town meetings to Facebook and YouTube. His extensive technical knowledge and calm demeanor have helped TV79 achieve its most extensive coverage since its founding in 2007.

Caroline McGrath square thumbnail Darien Historical Society Community Fund of Darien 2019 volunteer recognition

Thank You, Carolyn McGrath, for Your Volunteer Work at the Darien Historical Society

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Thank you, Carolyn McGrath for your volunteer work on many critical projects for the Darien Historical Society. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. Carolyn McGrath’s Efforts with the Darien Historical Society
A member of the Darien Historical Society’s Board of Directors for a number of years and current co-chair of the House and Grounds Committee, Carolyn has lent her expertise and talents to countless critical projects, even going so far as serving as the society’s interim executive director in 2017. From leading development initiatives to organizing the society’s social calendar, Carolyn’s commitment to the mission of the society is evident. As current co-chair of the House and Grounds Committee, her organizational skills are evident in every room of the facility, and even from the outside.

Janet Cling volunteer recognition 2019 Darien Land Trust Community Fund of Darien

Thank You, Janet Kling, for Your Volunteer Efforts at the Darien Land Trust

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Thank you, Janet Kling for your volunteer work in the Darien Land Trust, with your social media expertise and fundraising success with the annual Farm to Table Dinner. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. What Janet Cling Has Been Doing in the Darien Land Trust

Janet came on to the DLT Board over two years ago and has hit the ground running. She has taken awareness of the Land Trust’s mission to a whole new level with her social media savvy and this year is co-chair of the Development Committee. Janet is an active fundraiser and has been integral to the success of the annual Farm to Table Dinner.

Kathy Larkins Tax Collector thumbnail square Salvation Army Community Fund of Darien volunteer recognition 2019

Thank You, Kathy Larkins, for Your Volunteer Work at Darien’s Salvation Army Unit

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Thank you, Kathy Larkins, for your years of volunteer work in the Darien/NewCanaan Salvation Army Unit. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. Kathy Larkin’s Efforts with the Local Salvation Army
Since 2013, Kathy Larkins, tax collector for Town of Darien, has been volunteering countless hours of her time as the treasurer of Darien’s (and New Canaan’s) Salvation Army Unit. She is responsible for all of the accounting and bookkeeping for the unit, which financially supports Darien residents in need through the Human Services department. Her dedication and time given to the community is greatly appreciated.

Peter Eder AARP Tax Assistance volunteer Darien Library volunteer recognition 2019 Community Fund of Darien wide for Facebook thumbnail

Thank You, Peter Eder, for Your Volunteer Work in the Tax Assistance Program at Darien Library

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Thank you, Peter Eder, for your volunteer work at Darien Library, helping other volunteers help people prepare their taxes — at what’s become the busiest AARP tax assistance site in the state of Connecticut. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. Peter Eder’s Efforts with Darien Library
For the past two years Peter has played a leadership role in our very successful Tax Assistance program, where he oversees the AARP tax volunteers and welcomes our clients with exceptional warmth and care. Understanding that anything involving taxes can make people anxious and often not appear at their personal best, his calm, assured manner goes a long way to making what is often a difficult process a bit more manageable. The library is the busiest AARP tax site in the State of Connecticut, due in large part to the extreme customer service led by Peter.

Anne Lise Brown CFD volunteer recognition DHSPA 2019

Thank You, Anne-Lise Brown, for Your Volunteer Work With the DHS Parents Association

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Thank you, Anne-Lise Brown, for your volunteer efforts in the Darien High School Parents Association, raising money with students for human services, planning DHS events and more at the school. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. Anne-Lise Brown Did This in the DHSPA

Anne-Lise has served on our Executive Board for many years in several capacities. Her current role on the DHSPA is the student life chair. She works with students and coordinates with our DHS Community Council to plan events, raise money for human services, and many other valuable DHS student activities.

Patricia Parlette Pat Parlette

Gratitude for the Late Pat Parlette, for Volunteering at the DCA Thrift Shop

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Thanks to the late Pat Parlette, for more than a quarter century of service at the Darien Community Association’s Thrift Shop, including her “legendary” work as treasurer. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. Pat Parlette’s Efforts with the DCA

A 1943 graduate of Darien High School and DCA scholarship awardee, Pat has maintained a lifelong connection to the DCA, where she has volunteered at the DCA Thrift Shop for over 25 of her 93 years. For most of those years, Pat has served as the Thrift Shop treasurer, with bookkeeping that is legendary in its exactness and detail. And only matched by her love of he shop and the DCA, personal integrity of the highest standard, and her optimism and zest for life.

Cheryl Williams of Halstead and Darien Chamber thumbnail square 2019 recognition

Thank You, Cheryl Williams, for Volunteering at the Darien Chamber of Commerce

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Thank you, Cheryl Williams, for helping the Darien Chamber of Commerce promote the business community, including help with organizing the Darien Wine & Food Tasting event. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. Cheryl Williams’ Efforts for the Darien Chamber of Commerce

Since Cheryl joined the Chamber in 2016, she has become an instrumental member of our organization and the Board of Directors. Cheryl has been the marketing chairman, the vice president of the Executive Board in 2018 and 2019, and the co-chair of the DCC Wine & Food Tasting event in 2017. 
Her involvement has had a positive impact on the Chamber’s leadership role in promoting our business community and the overall quality of life in Darien. – Susan Cator, president and executive director, Darien Chamber of Commerce

About This Series

The profiles in this series were presented at the 2019 volunteer recognition luncheon held at the Darien Community Association and recorded (in this video) by Darien TV79.

Darien Firefighter Statue

Thank You, Darien Firefighters, for Volunteering at the Town’s Fire Depts

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Thank you, Darien firefighters, including Chiefs Vic Pensiero, Shaun Volin and John Hessmer for your work protecting the town. We hope others join you. —This is part of a daily series of articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. About the Work of Darien’s Volunteer Firefighters

The Darien Board of Selectmen is honored and proud to nominate our three all-volunteer Fire Departments: Darien Fire Department, Noroton Fire Department and Noroton Heights Fire Department as our 2019 Darien Community Fund Volunteers of the Year! 
The magnitude of contribution to our town can best be described in numbers:
* 1 Dedicated Mission to preserve life and property in Darien, on Interstate 95 and in cooperation with our neighboring towns
* 3 well trained, independently managed departments
* 24 fire response apparatuses and vehicles to manage

* 24/7/365 on-call service, putting emergency response before all else
* 124 years of volunteer fire service
* 173 active volunteer fire fighters
* 1948 total fire calls in 2018
* Priceless — the extraordinary commitment and dedication to the Town of Darien by the men and women who volunteer their time as fire service responders
Thank you Vic, Shaun and John thanks so very much! — by First Selectman Jayme Stevenson on behalf of the Board of Selectmen

About This Series

The profiles in this series were presented at the 2019 volunteer recognition luncheon held at the Darien Community Association and recorded (in this video) by Darien TV79.

Frank Huck volunteer 2019 Darien Arts Center

Thank You, Frank Huck, for Volunteering at Darien Arts Center

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Thank you, Frank Huck, for helping new members of the Board of Directors at Darien Arts Center better understand the organization’s goals and the community’s needs. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. Frank Huck is also a member of the Darien Board of Finance. Frank Huck’s Efforts
The Darien Arts Center Board of Directors would like to thank Frank Huck for his dedication, thoughtful perspective and guidance as our treasurer during a time of transition at DAC. With his positive approach, he helped a large group of new board members to understand our finances and the performance objectives of a multifaceted organization.

Rochelle Charnin volunteer Building One Community square thumbnail

Thank You, Rochelle Charnin, for Volunteering at Building One Community

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Thank you, Rochelle Charnin, for organizing a program at Building One Community that paired clients with volunteer support teams.

We hope others join you. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. Rochelle Charnin’s Efforts
For the past three years, Rochelle Charnin’s volunteerism at Building One Community has been one of 100% dedication and commitment. As a non-practicing lawyer, Rochelle has put her training and experience to great use at B1C. At a time when we were struggling with the idea of family separation and the struggles of local immigrant families, she was instrumental in starting our Community Support Group model.

Nina Miller volunteer At Home In Darien square thumbnail

Thank You, Nina Miller, for Volunteering with At Home In Darien

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Thank you, Nina Miller, for helping senior citizens in all sorts of ways through At Home In Darien. We hope others join you. —This article is part of a series of daily articles profiling the volunteers recognized in May at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon organized by the Community Fund of Darien. Nina Miller’s Efforts
Nina enjoys being active in the Darien community and is a shining example of the quintessential volunteer. She always offers her time and experience to assist senior citizens in Darien to keep them connected to the community.

Shyamla Menon A Better Chance volunteer 2019 wide

Thank You, Shyamla Menon, for Volunteering at A Better Chance

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Thank you, Shyamla Menon for helping students in A Better Chance in Darien apply to colleges. Your work is appreciated. We hope others join you. About This Series

This is the first article in a series of daily profiles of volunteers recognized at the Darien annual volunteer recognition luncheon back in May. The event was organized by the Community Fund of Darien, held at the Darien Community Association and recorded (in this video) by Darien TV79.