Connecticut Attorney General Brought Cookies, Toured Gillespie Center Wednesday
L-R First Selectman Jim Marpe, Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, and State Representative Jonathan Steinberg inside the Gillespie Center today discussing its functions during the COVID-19 crisis.
Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong (D) brought a donation of food and toured the Homes with Hope Gillespie Center at 45 Jesup Road yesterday. The Attorney General was joined by First Selectman Jim Marpe, Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden, Connecticut State Representative Jonathan Steinberg (D, 136th District), along with other Homes with Hope staff members. The group discussed the changes made to the emergency shelter due to COVID-19, and toured the center’s dormitories, kitchen, social room, and food pantry.
Ryan Soto, Gillespie Center Programs Director, described a decline in bed capacity from 21 beds to 12 beds due to COVID-19 spacing regulations and the addition of in-house COVID-19 testing done biweekly for guests. The local non-profit was excited to share their gratitude for the support of the community and Town through the pandemic, including meal donations from local restaurants and non-perishable food donations for the second floor food bank.
The Gillespie center offers meals, beds, laundry, and shower facilities for individuals in need. Homes with Hope also assists with social services such as occupational assistance and basic health needs, in addition to mentoring programs for those in crisis.
The Gillespie Center Food Pantry, located on the second floor of the 45 Jesup Road building.
Registration Open for Saturday’s Candlelight Concert
According to the Staples High School Music Department, registration has been opened for Saturday’s virtual Candlelight Concert. The 80th anniversary concert will begin at 7:30 PM, and can be registered for by going to staplesmusic.org for digital tickets. The concert is free, however donations will be accepted. Photo by Dylan Goodman Photography, contributed by the Staples Music Parents Association.
Staples Senior Daria Maya named Coca-Cola Scholar Semi-finalist
According to a Staples High School press release:
“Daria Maya, a student at Staples High School, has been named a Semifinalist for the 2021 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.
1,609 high school seniors were selected as Semifinalists from a pool of 99,403 submitted applications from across the country based on their academic excellence, leadership and service demonstrated in school and community activities.
The Semifinalists are in the running for 150 college scholarships worth $20,000.
Local high school senior Daria Maya has been named a Semifinalist for the 2021 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, moving to the next round of the selection process to become a Coca-Cola Scholar and receive a $20,000 college scholarship. A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. With the addition of the 2021 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 6,450 Coke Scholars nationwide with over $75 million in scholarships over the course of 33 years.
“We believe that identifying these young leaders throughout the country and encouraging their passion for serving others not only empowers the students, but also lifts up those around them.” said Jane Hale Hopkins President of the Foundation. “The Coca-Cola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.”
In addition to receiving college scholarships, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant and growing family of alumni that have become a powerful force for positive change in the world. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together. Recent initiatives include a podcast called The SIP, Coke Scholars Care (Coke Scholars doing good in the midst of the pandemic), and the fifth year of a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college. Every 5 years, all alumni are invited to a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit.”
Staples Senior Daria Maya, 2021 Coca-Cola Scholarship Program Semi-finalist.
Hanukkah Haiku from Westport’s Poet Laureate
From Westport’s Poet Laureate: Diane Meyer Lowman
Festival of Lights
Sunrise sunset every day
Gratitude abounds