FIRST UP on GMW is an occasional column that highlights shorter announcements or updates, and helps you get a quick start to the Wilton news of the day. Have a news tip, item or something you know people are chatting about? Email us at editor@goodmorningwilton.com.
WHS Students Win Video Awards
Two Wilton High School media production students received awards in the 2021 “Just Drive” PSA contest, which helps combat distracted driving. Junior Lucas Mangum won first place in Viewer’s Choice with a $2,000 cash prize, and freshman Finn Ryder won two third-place awards, one for Creativity from the judges’ panel and one in Viewer’s Choice, with a total cash prize of $1,500.
The contest is run by the organization Impact Teen Drivers, which invites young people in Connecticut and Ohio to create original works showcasing their solutions and strategies to fix the problem of distracted driving. Open to young people aged 14-22 in Connecticut and Ohio, students can enter a 30-second PSA and win up to $5,000 in the form of an educational grant, sponsored by NJM Insurance Group.
Impact Teen Drivers officials say the “Just Drive” PSA & Campaign contest “is an exciting opportunity for young people to promote safe driving among their peers, parents, and in their community.”
Mangum’s entry is titled “Temptations”:
Ryder’s video is called “You Decide…”:
Santa Energy/Servco Oil & Propane Gives Over $30,000 to Non-Profits in Wilton & Fairfield County through CT Neighborhood Assistance Act
Trackside Teen Center sent a thank you to Santa Energy/Servco Oil & Propane for a $3,000 grant the energy company made to the teen center as part of the CT Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit program. Trackside was one of seven Wilton non-profits that received donations from Santa Energy.
According to Trackside Director Cindy Moser, the donation will help Trackside begin work on a much-needed energy efficiency project, replacing the many old windows and doors in the historic Dana House that serves as the teen center’s home (15 Station Rd.).
“We are grateful for the support of Santa Energy on this important project at Trackside. While building upgrade projects such as this are not [often] readily noticeable to those who use a facility, our members and those who use Trackside’s facility frequently, such as the Genesis Alternative High School Program, Crossway Worship Center members and the Wilton Safe Rides volunteers, have expressed excitement, knowing that these new windows and doors will help make the facility more comfortable and enjoyable year-round,” Moser said.
The NAA Tax Credit Program is designed to provide funding for municipal and tax-exempt organizations by providing a corporation business tax credit for businesses that make cash contributions to these entities. Businesses receive a credit of 60% of their approved contribution to certain programs and 100% in the case of energy conservation programs. Overall, the NAA will distribute $5 million to Connecticut-based non-profits in 2022.
Stephen Santa, whose family owns Santa Energy, said that his company will contribute over $125,000 to 25 organizations in Connecticut through the NAA program, with over $30,000 going to Fairfield County non-profits, including seven Wilton-based organizations:
- Norwalk River Valley Trail
- Riverbrook YMCA
- Trackside, Teen Center of Wilton
- Wilton Historical Society
- Wilton Library
- Wilton Soccer Association
- Wilton Youth Council
“We are thrilled to be supporting these awesome organizations in Wilton and throughout the state,” Santa said. “Our Servco Oil & Propane team has been serving Wilton for over six decades. We feel it is important to support the communities who support us so we are grateful the state created this wonderful opportunity for giving back.”