We’re all about spreading the GOOD in Wilton, and GOOD Morning Wilton‘s “FUNdrai$er Friday$” publicizes efforts that benefit worthy community causes. Every Friday, check out the featured opportunities to pitch in, lend a hand, donate and help other Wilton residents give back to the community.
We welcome submissions from individuals, organizations and charity efforts raising money, seeking donations and recruiting volunteers. Send all pertinent information to us via email–the who, what, when, where, how and why. Include any photos, links or even videos that might help tell the story and increase the response from our readers. Don’t forget to make sure your contact information is there as well. (Sorry, we can only accept FUNdrai$er Friday
Sweet Dreams: Pajama Drive at Miller-Driscoll
Even the littlest Wilton residents can make a difference–and the kids at Miller Driscoll are proving that right now. They’re supporting the school’s month-long “Pajanuary” drive, a collection of new pajamas for children and teens who are clients in local shelters.
But you don’t have to be a Miller-Driscoll family to donate. All month, all Wilton families and residents are encouraged to drop off new pajamas for children and teens. All pajamas will be donated to area shelters.
Miller-Driscoll is at 217 Wolfpit Rd.
Wilton High School Sophomore Sarah Bell Collects Socks for Person-to-Person
Help keep those in need a little warmer this winter by donating new, unused socks to Person-to-Person.
Wilton High School sophomore Sarah Bell is leading a community service project, reaching out to the Wilton community to collect socks for those in need in Fairfield County. All donations will be given to Norwalk-based Person-to-Person.
“I was having a conversation with my friends about how lucky we all were to be blessed with so many things, and it just really made me realize that, personally, all the blessings in the world are worthless to me, if I can’t take what I have and use it to help someone else,” Bells explains about what motivated her.
She learned that one of the most requested items that underserved individuals and families need are socks. Moved by how easy it is to take for granted items which are seen by many such basic necessities, but that are luxuries for others, she has organized a collection of brand new, unused socks for men, women and children.
Donations can be dropped off at Open House Gift Shop (9 Center St.) or at 5 Hemmelskamp Rd.. Open House is offering 10% off your entire purchase with a donation!
The donation boxes will be collected Jan. 19 so make donations before that.
Bankwell Helps Open Door Shelter
Bankwell is running two programs to help Norwalk’s Open Door Shelter:
Collecting for Norwalk’s Open Door Shelter Food Pantry
In the aftermath of the holidays, the Open Door Shelter Food Pantry is in need of restocking, and Bankwell has announced that its branches will serve as collection points for donations from Jan. 15 through the end of February. The bank is inviting members of the community to bring canned and non-perishable donations to any of Bankwell’s Fairfield County locations during that time, including Wilton, New Canaan, Norwalk, Fairfield and Stamford.
Donations can be delivered to Bankwell branches between the hours of 9 a.m-5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-noon on Saturdays. The most needed items include canned beans, rice, canned meat, canned soups, pasta sauce, fruit cups, granola bars, pancake mix, cereal, baby food, peanut butter, instant coffee, tea, dried beans, canned pasta dinners, tuna, dried soups, canned vegetables, canned fruit, macaroni & cheese, pancake syrup, instant oatmeal packets, formula, jelly (grape or strawberry), shelf-stable milk and juice or juice boxes.
The Open Door Shelter addresses the causes and complexities of the homeless and working poor by providing shelter, food, clothing, case management services, treatments services, transitional planning, subsidized planning, education, employment and a path towards independence and success.
Bankwell is a community bank that serves the banking and lending needs of residents and businesses throughout Connecticut and gives back to the communities it serves. More about Bankwell, including branch locations, can be found at mybankwell.com.
Bankwell Sponsors Open Door Shelter Fundraiser Hosted by Fat Cat Pie Co.
Help others to stay warm this winter! Bankwell and Fat Cat Pie Co. are helping to provide support to the hundreds of individuals and families that visit the Open Door Shelter in Norwalk each winter seeking assistance from the community. Join them for an evening of food, wine and fun on Jan. 31 from 6-8 p.m. at Fat Cat Pie Co., (9-11 Wall St. in Norwalk). Bring a friend and enjoy a relaxing evening while feasting on thin crust pizza, artisanal cheeses, delicious salads and some of Fat Cat’s acclaimed wines.
Register for the event at online or by calling Erin McDonough at the Open Door Shelter at 203.866.1057, ext. 129. The cost is $50/person. Anyone unable to attend the event can consider donating to help those in need through the Open Door Shelter website.
Photo left to right: Erin McDonough, Director of Community Relations & Marketing, The Open Door Shelter; Jeannette Archer-Simons, Executive Director, The Open Door Shelter; Vicky Maccaro, Bankwell Branch Manager in Norwalk