Since 1979, The Community Fund of Darien (TCF) has been recognizing individuals who have made a difference in and around our community.  To mark National Volunteer Month, TCF is thrilled to announce Darien’s extraordinary volunteers so that the entire community can recognize and applaud these wonderful residents who give tirelessly of their time and talent to benefit us all. 

This year’s honorees, Darien residents who have made a positive impact in and around our community, and the nonprofits they serve are:  

Outstanding Adult Volunteer (19 - 64 years):
Anne-Lise Brown - Norwalk Stamford Grassroots Tennis and Education
Mia Cortellesi - The Mather Homestead Foundation
Karen Cummins - Kids in Crisis
Jill DiChiaro - Darien Book Aid
Jennifer Fallon  - The Community Fund of Darien 
Gina Gromelski - Darien Human Services
Jayne Jepsen - Darien Nature Center
Michele Litt - Darien Community Association
Elizabeth Mathus - Darien Land Trust
Robin Nelson - Darien Foundation
Reena Ninan - The Stamford Partnership
Christine Popson - The Depot Youth Center
Angela Riley - Darien Arts Center
Sharon Schoen - Family Centers
Shelly Skoglund - Thriving Youth Task Force 
Amy Zerbe - League of Women Voters of Darien

Outstanding Emerging Volunteer (18 years and younger): 
Courtney Ball - Darien Youth Commission
Eva Larino - Family and Children’s Agency

Outstanding Senior Volunteer (65 years and older):
Peter Eder - Darien Library
Mike Klehm - AARP
Marti Lanese - At Home In Darien
Ken Reiss - Museum of Darien

Outstanding Volunteer Duo:
Kathy and Peter Gogolak - Star Inc. Lighting the Way
Holly Russell and Jolanda Sutherland - Building One Community
Kimberly Servas and Susan Wilson - A Better Chance in Darien
Lisa and Chris Stout - Person-to-Person

Special Mention
First responders and COVID vaccinators - Town of Darien 

Nominations were requested from local nonprofits, and the public was also invited to offer submissions recognizing Darien residents who have made a difference in and around our community.  

“The Community Fund of Darien is proud to celebrate our community's spirit of volunteerism for individuals and projects that have made a significant difference in our community over the past year,” said Janet King, Executive Director of The Community Fund of Darien. “While we hoped to share this recognition with our honorees and their families, friends and co-volunteers in person, we are happy to announce Darien’s extraordinary volunteers ‘virtually’ so that we can all safely celebrate these wonderful residents who are so deserving of appreciation and recognition of their impact.”

The Community Fund of Darien is grateful to the Darien Community Association for graciously loaning its beautiful garden as the location for the honoree photos.  Photos taken by Kyle Michael King.

The Community Fund of Darien (TCF) is starting its Mother’s Day celebration a day early with a “Community Dinner for a Cause” on Saturday, May 8th. Proceeds from the dinner, prepared by Michael Joseph’s Fine Foods, will help TCF support youth related programs and services in Darien, Norwalk and Stamford.  Orders must be placed by 5pm on Wednesday, May 5th at www.communityfunddarien.org.  

Order a Michael Joseph’s family meal, which includes a bottle of wine provided by SipStirs, and The Community Fund of Darien will direct half your purchase to its local nonprofit partners who support children and youth.  TCF will provide free contact-less, doorstep delivery of your meal on Saturday, May 8th between 4:00-5:00pm.

The $160/per family (feeds 4-6) meal, includes:

• Meatballs Marinara
• Baked Ziti w/Shaved Parmesan
• Mixed Field Green Salad
• Assorted Breads/Rolls
• Oreo Fudge Brownie
• Bottle of wine provided by SipStirs

TCF has identified more than $440,000 of community investment needed specifically for local youth related programs and services.  Fifty percent of your meal purchase will go towards the funding of these critical services, which include:

• Early childhood education (ages 0-5)
• Early childhood intervention for children with special needs
• Afterschool academic and enrichment programs
• Mobile crisis intervention & clinical mental health for adolescents
• Mental health counseling
• Tutoring in English and math
• Weekend meals for students receiving free or reduced lunches at school
• Access to free, quality health care for low-income, uninsured children

Need a gift for Mom?  Reserve a copy of Darien Cooks!  A Taste of Darien community cookbook and include a gift certificate for the cookbook with your dinner!  Darien Cooks! is sure to become a go-to source for delicious meals and a precious keepsake for years to come.  The cookbook is available for pre-order ($50 per copy) along with your dinner order; orders may also be placed separately at www.communityfunddarien.org.  All proceeds from the cookbook, made possible by Palmer’s Market and other sponsors, benefit TCF’s and the Darien YMCA’s local community projects.   

Enjoy your delicious family dinner on Saturday evening, or save your meal for Mother’s Day on Sunday!  Together, we can change lives and support our future generation of leaders.