Wilton Answer Book – Clubs & Organizations

I want to do some volunteer service. Where do I find out what’s available?

The opportunities are many. Many local groups rely on volunteers, including FISH (834-3737), which provides transportation for the elderly, Nursing & Home Care/Mid-Fairfield Hospice (762-8958), and Wilton Library (762-3950). To find other Wilton groups that need volunteers, call Wilton Social Services (834-6238). For hospital volunteer opportunities, call Norwalk Hospital at 852-2023.

Each year, volunteers from Wilton participate in AmeriCares’ HomeFront Days, assisting senior citizens and low-income families with home improvements. Call 800-486-HELP.

Volunteer Solutions helps volunteers find local non-profits that need their help. Visit volunteersolutions.org, or call the Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield at 849-1111 to discuss the type of volunteer opportunity you would like to find. VolunteerSolutions.org is a partnership of United Way of Norwalk & Wilton, United Way of Westport/Weston, and the Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield.

How can I get involved in local politics?

Call the town party chairmen. Al Alpert is the Republican Town Committee chairman (761-1040/ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), and John Kalamarides is the Democratic Town Committee chairman ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

The Common Sense Coalition advocates fiscal responsibility, tax containment, and a tax freeze for senior citizens. For more information, call spokesman Don Klotz at 762-9028.

Other groups include Preserve Wilton’s Character, formed to oppose higher-density housing and some commercial development in town. Call Richard Creeth at 834-2157 for more information.

What fraternal organizations are in town?

The nearest Masonic Temple is on Main Street in Georgetown. The Jerusalem Lodge of Masons (438-8479) is on Main Street in Ridgefield.

What is the Cannon Grange?

Cannon Grange 152, at 25 Cannon Road, is one of Wilton’s oldest, active organizations. The grange was organized May 4, 1899 and meets the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Cannon Grange Hall. Cannon Grange is a fraternal-service organization for families with membership open to all, age 14 and up. The grange participates in many philanthropic activities, one of which is the Cannon Grange Scholarship for area high school seniors. For the past few years, the grange has also sent care packages to American troops in Iraq. For information on how to support this effort, visit the grange Web site, geocities.com/cannongrange, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The grange runs an annual plant sale in the spring, summer picnics at Ambler Farm and an authentic Agricultural Fair & Exposition in late August (Aug. 30, this year). The grange also hosts several public dinners during the year, sponsors the Wilton 4H, Cub Scout Pack 20, and other local groups.  For more information, visit geocities.com/cannongrange, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Where can I get a guide to the town government and other community-minded organizations?

The Town of Wilton’s Annual Report, available from the town clerk’s or first selectman’s office at town hall, offers a complete listing of all town government agencies. For a listing of community organizations, visit the Wilton Library Web site (wiltonlibrary.org); check the League of Women Voters’ Calendar, available at the reference desk at The Wilton Library; or watch the news columns of The Wilton Bulletin.

Additional copies of The Wilton Answerbook are available at our office at 16 Bailey Avenue, Ridgefield or by calling The Bulletin at 894-3330.

Is there a land trust?

Yes. The Wilton Land Conservation Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving open space in Wilton. The group works with town boards and commissions to preserve land. There are about 500 members.

The land trust owns or holds conservation easements on more than 100 parcels comprising more than 700 acres. Its Web site — wiltonlandtrust.org — details major land holdings. The group offers occasional nature walks on its properties. For information, call 761-8715 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What is the American Association of University Women?

The American Association of University Women is the largest and oldest national organization working for education and economic equity for women. It provides money for study and research to American and international women, seeks to remove economic and cultural barriers faced by women, and broadens the horizons of women and the community.

The New Canaan branch serves Wilton and has programs to promote education, for members and the community. For information, call or e-mail membership chair Sara Hunt at 966-3313 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Ridgefield branch (aauw-ct-ridgefield.org) also serves Wilton. For membership information, e-mail Deb Zaic at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What is the Wilton Arts Council?

The non-profit Wilton Arts Council is comprised of people who appreciate the visual, literary and performing arts. Their goal is to broaden participation in the arts in Wilton and Fairfield County and strengthen the position of the arts within the community. To that end, the council sponsors activities and events that appeal to all ages and diverse interests.

Membership is $25 a year for an individual, $35 for a family and $10 for a student or senior citizen. Business memberships are welcome from $50 to $500.

For more information write Box 7161, Wilton 06897, visit wiltonarts.org or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Is there a Newcomers Club in town?

Wilton Newcomers Club is a non-profit social organization that provides opportunities for people to meet neighbors and feel at home in Wilton. Along with published monthly events, there are evening get-togethers, luncheons, family events, ladies’ and men’s night out, socials, wine tastings, book discussions, morning coffees, children’s playgroups, and a working moms group. For information on membership, visit the group’s Web site at wiltonnewcomers.com.

What is the Encore Club?

The Encore Club is a social club for women that raises money for Wilton charities and offers social, artistic and recreational activities including holiday parties, theater trips, evening get-togethers, monthly coffees, luncheons, and activities ranging from “living with style” to visiting artist studios. For information, visit the Web site wiltonencore.org.

Is there a group for older women?

Frankly Scarlet — affiliated with the Red Hat Society — is for women approaching 50 and older who have done all the fund-raising, volunteer work, raising kids and saving the world and now want to have some fun. Call Anne Richards at 762-0033 or visit franklyscarlet.org.

Is there a parenting group?

Wilton Youth Services offers two programs focused on family life. The Fathers’ Forum offers a friendly environment where fathers can share ideas and discuss ways to improve their fathering skills. Creating Lasting Family Connections helps enhance communication and bonding between children and their families. Call 834-6241 for information.

Is there a woman’s club in Wilton?

Yes. The Wilton Woman’s Club (wiltonwomansclub.org) is a voluntary organization for women of diverse ages, backgrounds and talents. The club is dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service, and to strengthening women. Women join for charitable and educational purposes, for friendship, and for rewarding volunteer opportunities. The club focuses on issues pertinent to women, their families and community, and the arts. All members support club projects, both financially and through volunteering. The club’s objectives are to serve and to learn, always recognizing the ever-changing lifestyles and interest of its members. The club is open to any woman 21 or older. For more information, call or e-mail co-presidents Mariann Bigelow at 834-2700 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Wendy Lynch at 762-5381 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or membership chair Annette Sciarretta at 834-1291 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What does the League of Women Voters do?

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that works to increase voter awareness and participation in the community. Wilton’s chapter has more than 100 members who study issues on all levels of the community, often publishing their findings.

Among its many activities, the league runs an election education program for fifth graders and voter registration drives for high school students. If you would like to get involved, call Barbara Quincy at 762-8904 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The chapter’s Web site, wiltonlwv.org, has program information and links to other Web sites.

What does the Kiwanis Club do?

The Kiwanis Club raises money through such programs as the February citrus fruit sale, April roast beef dinner, Memorial Day pancake breakfast, September wine tasting, and holiday concert in December. In addition, members assist with hands-on service throughout the community. The club handles sign-ups for the Wilton Urgent Notification E-mail List through its Web site wiltonkiwanis.org.

Annually, the club donates around $40,000 to local community betterment causes. With more than 150 members, the Wilton Kiwanis is the largest club in New England. Members meet on Wednesday at noon at the Wilton Episcopal Presbyterian Complex on New Canaan Road from mid-September to mid-June. During the summer months, the Wednesday luncheon meetings take place outdoors at Kiwanis Park. For more information, visit wiltonkiwanis.org. The hotline number is 834-0308. You may also call or e-mail Kiwanis president Frank Mabley at 762-9584 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What does the Rotary Club do?

The Rotary Club is a service club, part of Rotary International. The club serves Wilton in many ways, including financial assistance to numerous charitable organizations, scholarships for students, financial support for youth leadership programs, as well as “hands-on” activities such as AmeriCares’ annual Home Front Project.

The club meets weekly. For more information, e-mail president Pat Russo at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The Web site is wiltonrotaryclub.org.

What does the Lions Club do?

The Georgetown Lions Club has fund-raisers — including an annual carnival at the high school field — to help disabled children, provide free eye exams, promote drug awareness, and support the Diabetes Foundation. For more information, call 544-9977.

What is the Yale Club?

The Yale Club of Lower Fairfield County is made up of alumni of Yale University. For information, call Dan Ward at 966-2529 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What does FISH do?

FISH, or Feel I Should Help, is an all-volunteer organization providing free transportation for Wilton seniors to and from local medical appointments on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Residents should call 834-3737 at least two days in advance to schedule a ride. The group is currently seeking volunteer drivers.

Is there a garden club here?

Wilton Garden Club members are interested in learning more about and participating in gardening, flower arranging, and conservation projects. In addition, club members undertake many town beautification projects. The club also manages its own greenhouse at the Comstock Community Center and holds an annual plant sale the Saturday before Mother’s Day on the Town Green. The club also maintains and acts as rental agent for the town-owned Old Town Hall. Meetings take place the second Monday of the month September through May at the Wilton Library or Pilgrim Hall at the Wilton Congregational Church. For information, visit online at wiltongardenclub.org or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What is the Junior League?

The Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk is a not-for-profit organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The group’s purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. For information, call the league’s office at 655-4662 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The Web site is jlsn.org.

What veterans organizations are there in town?

Members of the James B. Whipple Post #86 of the American Legion meet the second Tuesday of each month at the post at 112 Old Ridgefield Road. For information, call Ernest (Bing) Ventres at 762-9401.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars has posts in Norwalk, New Canaan and Ridgefield.

Is there a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution here?

Membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution is open to any woman 18 years or older who can trace her ancestry back to someone who helped the nation achieve independence from Britain between 1775 and 1783, including soldiers, sailors, militiamen, civil servants, members of the Continental Congress, nurses who aided the wounded, and ministers who gave patriotic sermons.

The Drum Hill chapter, which serves the area, meets the third Thursday of the month. Check The Bulletin for meeting locations. For membership information, call Mary Bendix at 762-1379 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What’s Minks to Sinks?

Those big tents on the corner of School Road and Route 7 by the tennis courts on the first weekend of May and October are part of Minks to Sinks.

More than a giant consignment tag sale, the twice-a-year event is manned by an army of volunteers and proceeds benefit the Family & Children’s Agency.

The sale officially got its name in 1952 when a volunteer brought a donated mink and seeing a donated sink, suggested the sale’s name as aptly descriptive of everything being offered.

For more information, visit the Web site minkstosinks.info.

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