GOOD Giving: Giving Tuesday 2025 — Your GOOD Opportunity to Give Back to Wilton Non-Profits Doing GOOD

Now that we’re past the consumer days of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, it’s time to think about holiday generosity. Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, Dec. 2 provides a GOOD opportunity to spread that generosity to organizations that need it to help others.

Each year, GOOD Morning Wilton compiles a list of opportunities to give back right here in Wilton — organizations formally participating in the worldwide Giving Tuesday effort as well as others we’ve included on our own. Please consider helping where you can.

Financial support of these organizations is critical, but you can also give time, skills and compassion to an organization, a community or simply another individual — critical at a time when everyone is facing rising costs in a tougher economy.

Giving Tuesday also serves as a reminder to check in on neighbors in need, touch base with friends and family who are fighting or recovering from an illness, and inquire about what you can do for someone who has experienced a loss.

And remember that while the idea is to give on Tuesday, Dec. 2, it’s something everyone can do the other 364 days, too.

Information has been compiled from the organizations’ websites and outreach. To donate, click on the organizations’ names (in green type) in each heading — they’re live links that will take you directly to each group’s online donation page. If online giving isn’t available, alternative ways to donate will be provided.

Wilton Social Services/Wilton Food Pantry

The Wilton Food Pantry regularly serves over 350 eligible Wilton residents who struggle to afford food and groceries. This year, as prices and the cost of living have risen sharply and federal support has become less secure, more Wilton residents have sought help from Wilton Social Services.

The Wilton Community Assistance Fund (WCAF) currently funds 80% of the cost of offerings at the Wilton Food Pantry through grants to the Town of Wilton. WCAF (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) also works with Social Services to support residents most in need by funding annual heating assistance, children’s holiday gifts, summer camp and extracurricular scholarships, aftercare, and unique needs, including transportation, medical and housing assistance. 

How to give:

• Mail donation checks, made out to Wilton Community Assistance Fund, to P.O. Box 7051, Wilton CT, 06897.
• Donate gift cards (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) or supermarket gift cards. Drop cards off in the Social Services office in Comstock Community Center or  in the secure lock box outside Comstock’s lower side entrance.
• Donate non-perishable items to the food pantry: bring items into the building and place them in the shopping cart outside the food pantry door during business hours Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; or donate via the Social Services’ Amazon wishlist to be delivered to the Food Pantry directly.

Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps

Since 1976, the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps has provided Wilton with 911 emergency medical care and hospital transport.

Did you know that:

• WVAC is not a department within the Town of Wilton. The organization is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization. 
• WVAC is staffed by volunteers who are Wilton residents — your neighbors and friends — who are not town employees. They are certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and emergency medical responders (EMRs) who volunteer their time to serve the community.

Volunteers serve Monday-Friday from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. and 24 hours on the weekends. WVAC contracts with Norwalk Hospital to provide EMT coverage Monday-Friday from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

In 2024, there were a record 1,821 calls for emergency service, an increase of 100 calls over the prior year. Calls to area nursing homes and additional medical facilities in town are the main factors for the increase. With new multifamily housing on the horizon, that number will likely continue to grow.

Every donation helps WVAC continue to provide the highest level of pre-hospital emergency care. Contributions are used to purchase and maintain WVAC’s state-of-the-art medical equipment, medical supplies, communications equipment and uniforms; purchase and upkeep of its ambulances; and training for over 60 members.

Wilton YMCA/Riverbrook Regional YMCA

Every gift supporting the Wilton YMCA’s Annual Campaign — no matter the size — helps ensure that the Y can fulfill its mission of making the Y’s life-changing programs, services and resources affordable and accessible for everyone. The Annual Campaign funds the Y’s financial aid, scholarships and outreach programs to expand access to swim lessons, provide opportunities to get healthy, support children with diverse abilities, and make it possible for the Y to respond to any need.

The YMCA relies on these donations to replenish the fund each year so that everyone, regardless of age, ability or economic status, can benefit from Y programs. Membership fees at the Y cover only the cost of operating the facilities — not financial aid or scholarship programs.

This Giving Tuesday, donors will double their impact, as every dollar given to the Y’s Annual Campaign on Dec. 2 will be matched up to $5,000 by Gregory & Adams.

Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County

Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County has served the community for more than 100 years. This non-profit agency, based in Wilton and now a member of the Waveny LifeCare Network, provides professional nursing and support services, senior care management, physical rehabilitation, health education, community wellness programs and compassionate hospice care for adults and children in the heart of Fairfield County. Visiting Nurse and Hospice is also a partner with Stay at Home in Wilton and the Town of Wilton.

To direct giving to Visiting Nurse and Hospice, visit the donation page and make the selection on the drop down menu for directing support.

Trackside Teen Center

For over 20 years, Trackside Teen Center has provided a safe and supportive space where teens can grow, build their identity, and develop self-confidence. The organization’s motto — For Teens, By Teens — reflects the heart of its mission, with teens taking the lead in running the kitchen and cafe, creating afterschool clubs and contributing to the Board of Directors. Teen voices are central to Trackside’s success, making it a unique and special place for the youth of Wilton’s community.

Resident support allows Trackside to keep its program costs affordable, offer many free- to low-cost community events, extend financial aid as needed, continue to maintain and improve its facility, say, ‘yes’ to as many teen projects and ideas as possible, and dream up new, enriching offerings for Wilton and its teens.

WHS Theater Arts Association

Tax-deductible donations to the Wilton High School Theater Arts Association directly strengthens the mission to support the Wilton High School Theater Department — providing financial resources, enhancing student opportunities and helping to build a vibrant, inclusive theater community where students, families and supporters can connect and thrive.

Every contribution — no matter the amount — makes a meaningful impact, uplifting the arts and the students who bring creativity, courage and storytelling to the WHS stage.

Wilton High School Music Boosters

The Wilton High School Music Boosters supports the outstanding WHS music program and its very talented students and directors in the band, orchestra and choirs. Contributions are fully tax deductible and 100% of all donations support the music program.

Over the last few years, WHS Music Boosters has provided funding for the purchase of:

• Wegner sheet music storage system 
• sound system for Spring Pops Concert
• new drums for Marching Band
• transportation for the choirs to and from Carnegie Hall
• new PA system for the marching band
• visiting artists and ensembles
• purchase of $2,300 in Wish Tree items including strings, reeds… and a new piccolo!
• financial aid to reduce the cost of the adjudication trip for students 

The boosters also offer a number of scholarship awards to graduating seniors.

CT Humane Society

The CT Humane Society may be the newest nonprofit in Wilton but it is the oldest and most comprehensive animal welfare organization in the state, serving thousands of pets every year. Among the services it provides to the community are pet adoption and surrender, veterinary medical and wellness care, pet food pantry, pet euthanasia, education and outreach, and more.

As an independent nonprofit organization, CHS does not receive any ongoing funding from the government and is not associated with any national animal welfare groups. The pets rely solely on the generosity and support of donors and volunteers.

Donations support urgently needed care and finding loving homes for pets at CHS, low-fee public access veterinary services, the Pet Food Pantry, and other vital community programs that ensure more pets can spend another happy holiday with the families they love.

During this special Giving Tuesday, all gifts will double with a match, up to $20,000.

Wilton Playshop

Since 1937, the mission of the Wilton Playshop has been to further the performing arts by providing quality live theatre to the greater Wilton area, and by doing so, provide an educational and growing experience for all involved. The Playshop is a volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a governing Board of Directors. There are generally three major productions presented each year. 

Thirty percent of the Playshop’s annual operating budget comes from donor contributions. These gifts make it possible for the Playshop to provide audiences with the definitive theatre experience and give its artists the resources they need to create the best possible work with the highest standards of excellence.

Wilton Singers

The Wilton Singers is a regional, auditioned chorus that attracts adult singers of all musical backgrounds. As a member-driven organization, its mission is to perform a wide variety of musical styles, from classic to contemporary, for the personal and cultural enrichment of its members and the public. The group aims to promote and encourage fellowship among its members during rehearsals and presentations. In addition, the Wilton Singers organization provides scholarship funding for dedicated and deserving students who participate in the Wilton High School choral music program.

Cannon Grange

Cannon Grange No. 152 has been a part of Wilton since 1899 and has its roots in the rural and agricultural history of Wilton. This community-based organization provides community service, fellowship and family activities for its members and the wider Wilton community.

Aside from certain schools and churches in Wilton, Cannon Grange is Wilton’s oldest organization still in existence, and continues to meet in the historic Grange Hall located at 25 Cannon Rd., across from the Cannondale Railroad Station. One of the main objectives and financial obligations of Cannon Grange is upkeep of this historic building in the heart of Cannondale Village.

A major source of pride for Cannon Grange is the annual Agricultural Fair which is held in the Grange Hall and on the grounds surrounding the historic building. The Fair heartily recalls Wilton’s rural past and presents to the community an authentic Agricultural Fair for children and families to enjoy.

Wilton Historical Society

Founded in 1938, Wilton Historical Society is Wilton’s museum — serving as the stewards of Wilton’s stories, and committed to making Wilton’s past relevant to today’s community. A donation to the Wilton Historical Society will help keep the doors open for exciting programs, historic preservation, intriguing exhibits and educational opportunities, all presented with historical accuracy and depth, including:

• A museum where history comes alive through 12 period rooms
• Special collections, including toys, tools and trains, which are of interest to a broad audience
• Renowned, nationally recognized annual events such as the Great Trains Holiday Show
• A variety of programs for children, adults and families that skillfully blend education and entertainment
• Curriculum-appropriate historical education for Wilton’s students
• Preservation of 17 historical buildings which are typical of a New England rural community

In 2025, donors made it possible for the Wilton Historical Society to open a new exhibit, “Puzzle Pieces: Putting Wilton Together“; retrieve original support beams from a 19th century house owned by John C Wally, a formerly enslaved man; host the popular first annual Food Truck Festival; and more.

This year’s fundraising goal is $55,000.

Wilton Library

For more than 130 years, Wilton Library has served as Wilton’s cultural and intellectual center with the mission to inform, enrich, connect and inspire the community.

Every gift on Giving Tuesday makes an immediate impact on the library and the community. The dollars raised on Giving Tuesday go directly to help fund collection materials and programs such as author talks, concerts, children’s and teen programs, and more.

This year, the library’s goal is to raise $50,000 in donations from the community. The Board of Trustees has generously pledged a dollar-for-dollar matching gift challenge up to $18,400 to double a donation.

Wilton Library is not a municipal library — it is an organization in public-private partnership with the Town of Wilton, and it must raise approximately 25% of its budget each year by relying on donations from individuals, corporations and foundations to provide a variety and richness of programs, materials and innovative technology for patrons of all ages. Wilton Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and gifts are 100% tax deductible. 

Trout Unlimited

The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited has been hard at work in Wilton restoring the rivers, removing dams and planting native trees and shrubs. Recently, the organization restored a half-mile stretch of the Norwalk River at Seeley Rd. and removed two dams on the Comstock Brook — an important drinking water supply and home to the last native brook trout population in Wilton. 

Thanks to decades of work by Trout Unlimited, the Norwalk River has recovered as home to wild trout, sea-run fish like alewife and lamprey and all manner of wildlife like mink, osprey, heron and egrets which flock to the restored ecosystem. More than two miles of river habitat have been restored and over 7,500 native trees and shrubs have been planted along the stream. The work has improved water quality, lowered river temperatures and helped return the river to a healthier place.

This year, Trout Unlimited is excited to continue its large-scale restoration efforts, hands-on volunteer projects, youth education programs and more. This Giving Tuesday, consider donating to the Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited to support its work in making a difference in the nature that surrounds Wilton.

SPED*NET

SPED*NET (Special Education Network of Wilton) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping parents of children with special needs become their children’s best advocates throughout the special services process and the transition to college, employment or other post-secondary pursuits. It serves parents of children who have been diagnosed with a disability and receive services through an IEP (under IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) or a Section 504 Plan (under the Rehabilitation Act), who are newly diagnosed, or who are struggling and have yet to be diagnosed.

Wilton Children’s Theater

Since 1976, Wilton Children’s Theater has been dedicated to providing an opportunity for Wilton children to participate in a variety of theatrical experiences. WCT children develop acting skills, stage presence and self-esteem as well as enjoy the camaraderie of working with children of varying ages in a nurturing, enriching and creative environment.

WCT is a not-for-profit organization run by its 22-person Board of Directors. It is independent, and is self-funded through registration fees, ticket and concessions sales and patron contributions.

WCT provides scholarship/financial assistance on a case by case basis (please email info@wiltonchildenstheater.org). WCT provides internship opportunities to cast alumnae. These high school volunteers contribute much needed assistance for productions while gaining knowledge of theater craft, directing, lighting, and choreography.

Your donations fund scholarships, support community building events, and WCT initiatives. WCT is run entirely by volunteers so 100% of your contribution goes directly towards supporting the program.

Rising Starr Horse Rescue

Rising Starr Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to giving at risk horses a second chance at life while giving the community a chance to experience the compassion horses have for humans. Rising Starr Horse Rescue saves, rehabilitates, retrains and rehomes abandoned, neglected or abused horses. Through equine interactive programs, Rising Starr educates the public about at-risk horses and the importance of protecting them. By giving horses a second chance at life, Rising Starr gives the community the chance to experience the love, patience, and compassion of horses.

Wilton Land Trust

The Wilton Land Trust is a community-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that safeguards Wilton’s unique natural, scenic and historical landscapes through conservation and stewardship. The Land Trust’s efforts to preserve open space, protect biodiversity and restore wildlife habitats depend solely on the support of its members.

Closely tied to the Wilton community, the Land Trust is not a municipal government body or commission. One hundred percent of the operational funding comes from members. Every contribution supports Wilton’s open spaces and goes toward Land Trust programs, operations, and conservation efforts.

Living in Wilton means the almost certainty of driving past an open meadow, living near a preserved forest, fishing in a protected stream, or hiking on a conserved trail. Wilton’s land trust is all about those spaces.

Stay at Home in Wilton

Stay at Home in Wilton offers supportive services and resources along with social and educational programs that unite its members as a community and enhance their efforts to remain independent, active and connected. The organization’s goal is to help its members remain in their homes and support a vibrant senior community in Wilton.

The group’s modest membership fees fall far short of the funds needed to sustain the organization. Stay at Home in Wilton does not receive funding from any national, state or local governments. It relies solely on donors’ generous support.

SMS Foundation

The Smith-Magenis Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded in June 2010 by two women, one of whom is Wilton mom Jennifer Iannuzzi, whose daughter Sydney was diagnosed with the rare Smith-Magenis Syndrome shortly after she was born.

Donating to the SMSRF helps financially start and support research projects and spread awareness of SMS. Because of the foundation’s tremendous growth over the last decade, more researchers are now interested in studying SMS and are turning to the foundation for funding. Support will help SMSRF fund new projects aimed at finding treatments to improve the lives of people living with SMS.

For Giving Tuesday 2025, all gifts up to $5,000 are being matched. Donations go twice as far, accelerating the science families are counting on.

Wilton Kneads

Wilton Kneads is dedicated to creating opportunities for every individual with special needs to find their unique place and shine brightly in the world. Founded by two Wilton parents and their awesome kids, this non-profit business cooks up delicious baked goods and sweet treats.

Wilton Kneads empowers young adults with disabilities by providing meaningful employment and vocational training in a bakery setting. Its young adult staff members are equipped with the skills, confidence and sense of belonging they need to thrive as contributing members of their community. Now in its second year, Wilton Kneads is more than just a bakery — it’s a space where ability is celebrated, and community thrives, one delicious bite at a time.

Wilton Education Foundation

The Wilton Education Foundation (WEF), through its many fundraising programs, has contributed over $800,000 to the Wilton Public Schools over the past 14 years. Community support enables WEF to continue to give to Wilton Public School students the newest technology, innovations and beyond classroom experiences that the school budget is not currently able to provide.

WEF’s events include Reading Rocks!, Harlem Wizards, Get Smart for Wilton 5K Race and Middlebrook Career Awareness Day.

Past donations have helped WEF:

• build the recording studio used for MDTV
• upgrade the Learning Commons and the video studio at Cider Mill School
• build a greenhouse at Middlebrook School
• support the Science Fair at Middlebrook School
• build a recording studio at Wilton High School
• build Makerspaces for all Wilton Public Schools to support coding, robotics, STEM programs and podcasting
• enable ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers to support cutting-edge curriculum initiatives

Wilton Go Green

Wilton Go Green is committed to engaging, educating and inspiring Wilton residents to embrace a lifestyle of environmental sustainability. Initiatives encourage Wilton residents, schools and businesses to be responsible stewards of air, land, wildlife and other natural resources advancing a collective culture of conservation.

In 2025, among its several initiatives, Wilton Go Green:

• hosted the 1st Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival
• honored two Wilton High School seniors with $1,000 scholarships
• hosted engaging and informative Green Speaker Series events in partnership with Wilton Library
• hosted its 5th Annual Halloween Costume Exchange
• continued its collaboration with Wilton Land Trust and Wilton Library for its Books & A Blanket program

Go Green officials are excited to continue working on their mission while raising awareness on wasted food, food scrap collection, recycling right, reduce-and-reuse, energy efficiency and more in the coming year. 

Circle of Care

Circle of Care provides practical, emotional and financial support to Connecticut families of children, adolescents and young adults facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis. Circle of Care believes that the path to healing extends beyond medicine, and offers services tailored to address the distinct and demanding non-medical challenges families encounter throughout their entire journey with pediatric cancer. To ensure that no family faces the financial or emotional burden of pediatric cancer alone, Circle of Care is committed to providing comprehensive, coordinated support to relieve families’ emotional strain and financial toxicity so they can focus on caring for their child and their families.

Wilton Youth Council

For over 35 years Wilton Youth Council has served the Wilton community, empowering Wilton youth and strengthening the community. Wilton Youth Council serves Wilton youth through:

• Youth Programs: building confidence and teaching teamwork through an array of student offerings, including Youth to Youth, Post Graduation Parties and Peer Connection
• Parent Programs: equipping parents with skills to build strong relationships and help their children make healthy choices
• Community Partnerships: building knowledge and collaboration among youth-serving organizations in the Wilton community (including Wilton Public Schools), to leading initiatives such as Wilton Coalition for Youth, Wilton Mental Health Task Force and Free Play Matters Task Force
• Community Programs: providing moments for genuine conversation and connection for residents, including Dads and Doughnuts, Volunteer Fair (in partnership with the Wilton Library)

Donations help ensure Wilton Youth Council can continue to serve Wilton youth and support parents and community members who work with Wilton’s youngest citizens.

Wilton Garden Club

Since 1921, the Wilton Garden Club has been dedicated to providing education, conservation, preservation and beautification in and around the Town of Wilton. Tax-deductible donations to the Wilton Garden Club help enhance the beauty of Wilton. 

Most notably through its civic projects, the Club is responsible for the design and maintenance of numerous Town Gardens. In addition — together with the Town, the Wilton Parks and Recreation Department, and the “Making Wilton Beautiful” campaign — the Club plays a key role in fundraising efforts for the hanging flower baskets and holiday decorations that adorn the lampposts in town each year. The Wilton Garden Club has been instrumental in the creation and maintenance of the Pollinator Pathway project in Wilton and has spearheaded the multi-year Golden Miles program to plant 15,000 daffodil bulbs around town to celebrate the Garden Club’s 100th anniversary.

In addition to its horticultural and garden work, the Club also gives regularly and generously to other nonprofit groups in Wilton. The Club directs its contributions to organizations that reflect and support the Club’s cornerstones of education, conservation, preservation and beautification.

Finally, the Club is the official caretaker and steward of Old Town Hall.

Woodcock Nature Center

Woodcock Nature Center provides year-round free access to nearly four miles of groomed trails, a natural playground and outdoor aviaries. The nature center also offers free hikes and community programs to residents both on-site and across Fairfield County, which often include the use of dozens of well-loved ambassador animals. Popular after-school programs, a state-licensed summer camp and highly-anticipated annual events such as this season’s Wreath Festival bring the community together for unique hands-on outdoor learning. The nature center receives no financial support from the state or local government and relies on individual support to maintain its trails and free community programs. Tax-deductible donations can be made on the Woodcock Nature Center website.

Ambler Farm

Ambler Farm is a vital part of the community. Tax-deductible contributions support the Farm’s many hands-on educational programs, sustainable agriculture in the gardens, produce donations to those in need, and the restoration of the historic Raymond-Ambler Farmhouse. Public support allows Ambler Farm to provide a bucolic, open space for everyone to enjoy.

As a Wilton nonprofit, Friends of Ambler Farm connects the local community to the land, animals and each other through meaningful teaching programs, organic agriculture and engaging events. This Giving Tuesday, support will help Ambler Farm maintain the property, care for its animals and inspire local youth through hands-on programs like Apprentice and Builders. Together, this ensures that Ambler Farm continues to thrive as a cornerstone of Wilton’s heritage, fostering learning, connection and growth for all who visit. Every gift makes a difference — join in growing something special.

A Better Chance of Wilton

Since 1996, A Better Chance of Wilton (ABC), an independent community school program of the national non-profit A Better Chance, gives high-achieving young women from underserved communities the opportunity to live in Wilton and attend Wilton High School, to obtain an exemplary education that may not be available to them in their home districts. To date, 58 young people have graduated from the program. 

The scholars live in Wilton and take part fully in high school and community life. They live in a residential house in Wilton’s town center with a resident director who oversees all aspects of their lives while living here. A dedicated volunteer Board of Directors is responsible for the many aspects of the program that affirm and nurture the ABC Scholars’ potential and help to prepare them for college and their future.

This year marks the organization’s 30th year here in Wilton and there is a lot to celebrate. There is a new residential director, Yanny Garcia, herself an alumna of ABC of Wilton, a new executive director and a new chef.