In the Community

Student Book Drive Excels

For a holiday community service project, the DECA Club of Weston High School set a goal to collect books for a “Give the Gift of Reading” campaign to support Darien Book Aid.

“Our mission was to spread literacy and joy by collecting 500 books,” said club president Gavin Villepigue. “Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community, we far exceeded our goal, donating over 2,000 books.”

In the photo above, club executive board members drop off the donations in Darien. From left to right: Tyler Lombardi, Tripp DeFelice, and Mr. Villepigue.

In the photo below, from left to right, club members about to distribute posters around the school to advertise the book drive: Travis Lang, Bruce Matos, Joe Travers, Maddox Parsons, Maxime Carlson, Mr. Villepigue, Mr. DeFelice, Mr. Lombardi, Kollen Klye, Jacob Rozen, Trevor Zabicki, and Harrison Schulz.

DECA is a high school and college program for students interested in business.

A Wreath for the Onion Barn

Photo: Jim McMorris

Members of Weston Kiwanis assembled a wreath and placed it on the Onion Barn. The wreath is illuminated at night. In the photo above from left to right: Dan Lerner, Dave Burns, Reed Ameden, Karen Chrisley, Steve Thomas, David McConnaughey, Harry Spencer, and Dan Gilbert.

A Warmer Christmas for Many

The mid-November Main Street Weston event by the Weston Women’s League brought in $17,000 to benefit the Weston Warm-Up Fund, the community nonprofit dedicated to keeping all Weston residents warm during the cold winter months.

The two-day event featured 23 vendors and the talents of six local artists, including three student artists.

The $17,000 raised will enable the fund to continue to assist Weston residents by helping to cover the costs of heating with oil, gas, or electrical systems.

“Main Street Weston is a cornerstone event of the Weston Women’s League,” said Maria Rowbotham, the organization’s co-chair along with Tyler Constanda, Amanda Allen, Thea Rattner-Pietig, and Margaret Krauss.

Winter Coats for Kids

Members of Weston Kiwanis provided new winter coats to 136 children in Norwalk’s Head Start Family Services program and 19 children from the Rippowan Park complex in Stamford.

In the contributed photo above, Kiwanians Frank Ferrara and Harry Spencer are pictured with members of the Head Start Norwalk staff. Head Start provides education for children from age three until they enter kindergarten. There is no cost to eligible families.