Community Spirit Still Strong in 2020
Even during the year 2020, the power of community spirit was the strongest force today as jacket-clad volunteers came out to prepare holiday meals for over 1,600 families in need - continuing the annual tradition to help others.
Al’s Angels, a non-profit founded by Westporter Al DiGuido nearly 25 years ago, funds and operates the annual meal bin donations for both the Thanksgiving and Winter holidays.
In years’ past, the events have drawn hundreds of volunteers into the large warehouse to work together to fill the bins, then load them into a fleet of awaiting trucks to be delivered by other volunteers.
However due to the COVID-19 crisis and health safety guidelines, the work took place outdoors in the surrounding workyard. With heavy rains and wind coming through the area, volunteers of all ages were soaked and feeling cold as they continued their work to get all meal bins filled and delivered in time for the holidays.
During a day of social-distancing and adverse weather, this hearty group of kids, teens, adults, and retirees reminded everyone that there is always a way to take care of one another.
Trumbull resident Tyler Simpson, 8, helps load meal bins into a trailer that will deliver the meals to local families in time for the holidays.
Al’s Angels volunteers work around large puddles to fill meal bins today in Bridgeport.
The Real Dog Days of Westport
As clouds and rain cleared away, dogs and their owners made their way to Compo Beach to enjoy the real dog days.
Police Department Holiday Toy Drive Closed Today, will Collect Toys Sunday.
According to a late Friday night press release, the Westport Police Department Holiday Toy Drive collection site at the Athletic Shoe Factory will be closed today due to inclement weather, but will be open tomorrow as planned from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
“Please be advised that due to the inclement weather currently in the forecast for Saturday December 5, 2020, the in-person collection site that was to be in operation at ASF Sports & Outdoors, 1560 Post Road East, for the Westport Police Department Holiday Toy Drive has been cancelled.
At this time, the site is scheduled to be open to receive donations on Sunday December 6, 2020 from 9:00am to 5:00pm as previously announced.”
“Collection boxes will be set up from the present date until December 14, 2020, at the following Westport stores:
Age of Reason, 9 Post Road West, (203) 557-3772
ASF Sports & Outdoors, 1560 Post Road East, www.shopASF.com, or (203) 255-4460
Awesome Toys and Gifts, 429 Post Road East, www.awesometoys.com, or (424) 293-7663
The Toy Post, 180 Post Road East, www.thetoypostct.com, or (203) 557-8888”
(Westport Police Department)
Town Tree Lighting Celebrated (virtually) Tuesday Night
Through a Facebook Live Video Feed, the Town’s tree was lit by the Board of Selectmen on the steps of Town Hall Tuesday night. First Selectman Jim Marpe addressed the online crowd: “It’s disappointing that we don’t have hot chocolate with a lot of kids, and the [Staples High School] Orphenians are not here with us to celebrate - but nevertheless, despite COVID, and all the challenges that we had this year, we still want to continue on with a thing that gives us some happiness and some joy in the holiday season.”