Our cup runneth over…with stories of Wilton children doing amazing things to help others.
We have recently heard many stories of kids consciously and actively raising money, awareness and attention for issues that are far larger than typical kid stuff–so many stories that we would run out of room to run other news stories if we didn’t combine our accounts of their efforts in one place.
Please read about these wonderful Wilton kids, and see how you can help support their efforts, where appropriate. (And be sure to let us know of any other Wilton children who are doing GOOD things to help other people. We love to shine a light on those deserving kids!)
Kids Can Help Change Cancer–and the World!
Two years ago, Alexa Steckel, a 9-year-old Cider Mill fourth grader, created a charity called Help Change Cancer, with the simple premise that collecting coins can go a long way toward beating cancer. She created a website and started fundraising, and donates what she raises to several cancer organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Wilton’s Circle of Care.
She’s also adept at getting other children involved. Last month, when many Wilton residents volunteered for the month-long “Million Mile Run” fundraising effort on behalf of the pediatric cancer organization, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Alexa dove right in. She ran many miles on her own, and also recruited team members from her friends and classmates at Cider Mill.
Then she went one step further, lobbying Cider Mill principal Dr. Jennifer Mitchell to let her organize a walk during school hours. She was able to coordinate all the third and fourth graders in Nod Hill, their teachers and Mitchell, to walk a mile on the track. They were able to raise miles, awareness and funds for the Help Change Cancer team as part of the overall Wilton Warriors for a Cure ALSF effort. And what an effort it was–Alexa’s team ran and walked a combined 469 miles overall.
Alexa’s mom, Julie Steckel, gave big thanks to the teachers and Mitchell for understanding the value of missing a little classroom time to teach 200 kids that they can make a difference and that kids’ contributions are valued.
But Alexa isn’t stopping there; she will be raising money for the Circle of Care at the Village Market on Monday, Oct. 20 and Monday, Oct. 27, handing out information as well as taking donations and selling duct tape projects she worked on all summer. Look for her there or email her at HelpChangeCancer@gmail.com to help support her incredible efforts.
An Apple a Day Can Help the World
Town & Country Montessori families gathered 80 pounds of apples from a recent trip to Hallock’s Orchard to donate to the Wilton Food Pantry. This marks the fourth year the school has held an event at Hallocks Orchard, a private orchard in Washington Depot, CT. The orchard is owned by the DiBenedetto family, who has donated the crop of apples to the CT Food Bank for over ten years, some years exceeding 60,000 pounds of apples. Heather DiBenedetto, of Wilton, has a son at Town and Country Montessori and her daughter attended the school as well.
Town & Country Montessori is a preschool and kindergarten on Rte. 7 in Wilton, celebrating its 31st year. According to a press release from the school, it is an affordable choice for classic Montessori education. The school is holding an Open House on Nov. 4, Election Day. Anyone interested in attending can call 203.834.1195 to reserve a space.
Town & Country organizers recommend to anyone interested in organizing a food drive–at your school, after school team or club or neighborhood group–to visit the CT Food Bank website to learn how to get started. Locally, interested residents can call Lauren Hughes (203.834.6238) at the Wilton Food Pantry run by Wilton Social Services.
Walk a Mile in Everyone’s Shoes
For the fifth year, Cider Mill’s PTA organized their annual Walk-a-Thon, the PTA’s major fundraiser. In the fall of each year, all Cider Mill students and staff walk one mile to raise money for the school. The students are involved on multiple levels, designing the Walk-a-Thon t-shirts, helping to create a new slogan and generating school-wide spirit and enthusiasm. Money raised from this event fund programs such as the author visit, field trips, fun nights, field days and many more beneficial programs.
The Walkathon was held on Thursday, Oct. 9, on a beautiful fall Wilton day. Wilton Public Schools new superintendent, Dr. Kevin Smith joined the fun for his first year (see article’s main image). All told, the students of Cider Mill raised $34,000 this year, with 90 percent student participation.
The t-shirts were designed by the Ricco sisters, Peyton (fourth grade) and Blaze (fifth Grade), designed this year’s t-shirt and they were cheered on by their very proud dad, Ernie Ricco.
