Weston Answer Book
Weston Answer Book: Clubs and Organizations
Jun 15, 2007

How can I find somewhere to volunteer?

Many of the civic groups and organizations listed throughout the pages of The Weston Answer Book welcome volunteers. Some are listed below. www.VolunteerSolutions.org, a United Way initiative, lists area nonprofits looking for volunteers. Specific projects are listed.

Locally, groups that invite or depend on volunteers include the Norwalk River Watershed Association (846-8210 or www.norwalkriver.org) and the American Red Cross Motor Services program (227-9505, ext. 26). High school chaperones are always needed for the middle school “Hang-out” program. Call Weston Youth Services at 222-2585.

How can I get a guide to the town’s government and community-minded organizations?

The Weston Forum has an extensive list of links at www.theWestonForum.com. Click on “Links.”

A list of community groups also appears on the town of Weston Web site, www.westonct.gov, under Important Links.

How can I get involved in a political party here?

To help the Republican party, call RTC Chairman Judith Stripp at 227-8917.

To help the Democrats, call DTC Chairman Devon Pfeifer at 221-0547.

What does the League of Women Voters of Weston do?

The League of Women Voters promotes citizen awareness of civic issues in town. Each February it presents the Speak Up program, enabling citizens to air their concerns to local officials. It produces a directory of town and school district elected and appointed officials and staff. It offers an online guide to the town budget process and a series of educational meetings on topics of local interest.

The Web site, www.lwvweston.org, also offers links to state and national issues. For membership and other information, e-mail webmaster@lwvweston.org.

Is there a women’s club?

The Weston Women’s League promotes a sense of community through civic services, raising money for local charities, and sponsoring social and cultural activities. Membership is open to Weston women over age 21. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Norfield Congregational Church Parish Hall.

For information, e-mail Lisa Cicale Moskal, president, at cicalemoskal@optonline.net or Mercedes Velgot, membership chairman, at MIW9@aol.com, or visit www.westonwomensleague.org.

The Women’s Club of Weston is open to all women who live in Weston. The club sponsors activities and discussion groups that appeal to a variety of interests, such as book discussion groups, gardening, antiques, theater trips, needlecraft, investments, volunteering, and pot luck suppers. For more information, call Eileen Buckley, chairman, at 227-5698.

The Y’s Women of Westport/Weston is a club affiliated with the Westport Weston Family Y. The club meets the second and fourth Monday of the month, September to June, at the Y. Meetings feature speakers on various issues. There are also smaller group activities. For information, call Gloria Stashower at 227-6054.

The Westport/Weston chapter of Hadassah is one of the largest volunteer women’s organizations in the United States. Hadassah supports the Hadassah Medical Organization in Israel and works to enhance the quality of life in the U.S. and Israel by initiating and supporting health care, education and youth programs. For information, call Liz Martin at 226-4498 or Denise Pearl at 226-6690.

Is there a men’s club?

The Y's Men of Westport/Weston is an organization of retired and semi-retired men. Meetings are every Thursday, from September to May, and feature guest speakers on a wide variety of topics. Club members may also participate in numerous activities such as golf, bowling, camera club, bridge, chess, singing, investments, sailing, and hiking, as well as organized trips. Members also volunteer for community programs. Any retired or semi-retired man in Weston is invited to join. For information, call Kurt Rosenfeld at 227-8261 or Bob McGrath at 227-5754.

What about a Kiwanis Club?

The Kiwanis Club of Weston supports local causes through community service and fund-raising. While it serves citizens of all ages, there is a special emphasis on youth services. The Weston Key Club, a youth services organization, focuses on community service, good citizenship, and friendship. The Kiwanis Club has more than 80 members and raises money for causes like Make A Wish Foundation and other local charities. The Web site is www.westonkiwanis.org.

The Kiwanis Club meets every Saturday for breakfast at the Norfield Congregational Church parish hall. For details, contact John Babyak, president, at 254-7260 or ctmoneymgr@aol.com, or Fred Schneider, membership, via e-mail at membership@westonkiwanis.org.

What is the Junior League?

The Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk, with offices in Darien, 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 league’s purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. For information, call the league’s office at 655-4662. The Web site is www.jlsn.org.

Is there an organization devoted to the arts?

WestonArts, Inc. was formed in 2005 with the broad mission of raising funds to support and develop the arts in Weston. Its first project is to raise money toward the refurbishment of the Weston High School auditorium. It is working in cooperation with the Board of Education and the town to promote a mindset of on-going enhancements to the arts facilities and programs in Weston.

The Web site is www.westonarts.org; e-mail is info@westonarts.org.

Is there an organization dedicated to open space?

The Aspetuck Land Trust is devoted to preserving open space in Weston, Easton, Westport, and Fairfield. Since it was formed in 1966, it has preserved more than 1,700 acres of land. The land trust is managed by a board of directors from the four towns.

Land is obtained in one of three ways: Outright gifts, easements (in which the owner gives up development rights), and through purchases. For information, visit the Web site at www.aspetucklandtrust.org or e-mail info@aspetucklandtrust.org.

The Nature Conservancy’s Connecticut chapter has its largest preserve in Devil’s Den Nature Preserve in Weston and Redding. For Nature Conservancy information, call 860-344-0716, e-mail ct@tnc.org, or go online to www.nature.org. For Devil’s Den information, see the section on Parks and Recreation.

How about the Norwalk River?

Weston is one of the seven towns in the Norwalk River watershed. The Norwalk River Watershed Association is dedicated to improving the water quality of the river and quality of life in those towns. Some of its projects include river cleanup, habitat restoration, extension and mapping of the Norwalk River Valley Trail System, and septic maintenance education.

For complete information, visit online at www.norwalkriver.org or call 846-8210. You may also e-mail info@norwalkriver.org.

Are any groups dedicated to civic issues?

The Weston Park Project was formed by a group of Westonites seeking funding and approval to improve and make accessible existing, but underutilized, town recreational space. It was incorporated in November 2004.

The targeted space for renovations is the play/pond area of Bisceglie Scribner Park. Details are available at the group’s Web site, www.westonparkproject.org.

Is there a newcomers club ?

Weston Newcomers and Neighbors Club’s mission is to foster a close social and community network for families new to town, and to maintain those links for established residents. The club provides an opportunity for new residents to meet others while enjoying a variety of activities and social events. These activities range from gourmet dinners, bridge, book discussion to bowling, skiing and tennis. There are movie nights, bunko, and even playgroups. Social events include a progressive dinner, a gourmet dinner, a holiday party and a wine tasting group. For information, call Barbara Savicky at 227-8395 or Helen Story at 227-5136.

What about a veterans organization?

Many Weston veterans are members of the Georgetown Area Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10190. The post espouses a long tradition of honoring veterans and embraces all of the efforts of the national VFW. It raises money to benefit veterans and the community. Area residents who fought in any foreign war or campaign are invited to attend one of the post’s meetings, held the second Wednesday of every month, 8 p.m., at the Georgetown Firehouse, 6 Portland Avenue (544-8800).

Is there a group that mentors children?

Shepherds is a grassroots, non-denominational, nonprofit organization reaching out to disadvantaged high school youth in inner city Bridgeport, Danbury, Stamford, and New Haven. Shepherds sponsors pay for all of part of a student’s tuition and serve as their mentors, providing encouragement, direction and support over the four-year journey. For information, call 203-259-8442, e-mail ShepherdsProgram@aol.com or visit online at www.ShepherdsInc.com.

© Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers