Darien Answer Book
Darien Answer Book: Clubs

Mar 11, 2008

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

There are many organizations and community groups in Darien that rely on volunteers. Among them are:

Darien News Channel 79 (David Dever, 323-7786)

Darien Revitalization Initiative (656-6671/darienmainstreet.org)

Friendly Visitor Program (656-7321)

Darien Arts Center (655-8683/arts.darien.org)

The American Red Cross (655-2586/dsredcross.org)

Darien Library (655-1234/darienlibrary.org),

Person-to-Person (655-0048/p2p.darien.org)

Darien Senior Center (655-1705/dsac.darien.org)

Meals on Wheels (323-3294/getmealsonwheels.org)

Darien EMS-Post 53 (655-8989/post53.org)

Darien Fire Department (655-1216/darienfire.org)

Noroton Fire Department (655-0653/norotonfd.org)

Noroton Heights Fire Department (655-1033/nhfd.us).

The Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County (ucanhelp.org), with offices in Darien and Stamford, can help match people willing to volunteer with organizations that need them. Call 348-7714.

How can I get involved in the Republican or Democratic party here?

The Republican Club of Darien is a social and educational organization that provides a forum to discuss issues of concern, encourages greater participation among Darien Republicans in town affairs and the Republican Party, and encourages Republican voter registration. The Republican Club is independent of the Republican Town Committee. For information, write to the club at P.O. Box 885, Darien, CT 06820 or call club president Gwynne Grimes at 655-9465.

The Republican Town Committee consists of 21 members elected by Darien Republicans. The committee members nominate candidates for elected and appointed office in town. There are meetings, special events, and social occasions throughout the year. The committee usually meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at town hall. For information, e-mail darienrtc@ibm.net. The Web site is darien.ctgop4.com. The president is Jack Orchulli (656-1738).

The Democratic Town Committee supports Democratic candidates in state and national elections and takes positions on local issues. The committee recommends candidates for open positions on town boards and commissions to the Board of Selectmen. The committee also holds a fund-raising lobster bake each June. Voters who register as Democrats will automatically be contacted by the committee. Prospective members may also call John Davis at 356-1641 or Mimi Griffith at 655-7940. The Web site is dtc.darien.org.

Is there a Lions Club?

The Darien Lions Club meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m., at 152 Hecker Avenue. (In November and December the meetings are the first and third Thursday.) The club awards student scholarships and supports many charities, including the Voluntary Services for the Blind. The Lions are currently raising money to find a cure for macular degeneration in addition to supporting organizations close to home including Darien EMS-Post 53 and the 60-Plus Club. For information, call Tom Bauder 655-2521.

What does the Kiwanis Club do?

Among its good works, the Kiwanis Club of Darien supports the Kiwanis Pediatrics Institute, a service for critically injured children. The club also offers scholarships and assists youth groups, the Red Cross Blood Program, and Gallivant. The club meets Tuesdays at the Country Club of Darien. Visit kiwanis.darien.org or write Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 43, Darien 06820.

How do I join the Rotary Club?

The Rotary Club of Darien meets every Friday at 12:15 at The Cookhouse, 154 Post Road. The club supports the Darien Beautification Commission, Little League, youth hockey teams, and the Junior Achievement Program at Darien High School; and awards scholarships to high school students. For membership information, call Clay Colbath at 341-3500, e-mail ccolbath@sourcegrp.com, or visit rotary.darien.org.

Is there a fraternal organization?

Darien’s Masonic Club is Ivanhoe Lodge No. 107 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The group meets twice a month (except July and August) at the Masonic Temple at 354 Post Road. Call 655-2040.

What is the Piedmont Club?

The Piedmont Club, 152 Hecker Avenue, is a social club for those of Italian descent and through marriage. For information, call 655-7884.

Is there a women’s club?

The DCA Women’s Group meets for lunch and to hear a speaker the first and third Tuesday of every month at the Darien Community Association. For information, call 655-9050.

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

Darien has the Good Wives River chapter of the DAR. Meetings take place the first Monday of the month., October through May. The chapter holds a silent auction each year to benefit DAR-maintained schools in Appalachia and Native American schools in the Southwest. Call Vigee Droesch at 655-3753.

What is the Junior League?

The Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk, 748 Post Road, is a nonprofit 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. Call the league’s office at 655-4662 or visit online at jlsn.org.

What is the American Association of University Women?

With a chapter in New Canaan, 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 women, seeks to remove economic and cultural barriers faced by women, and broadens the horizons of women and the community. Locally, there are programs to promote education. For membership information, call Vicki LeBris at 972-3145.

What does the League of Women Voters do?

The league is a nonpartisan organization that helps each citizen have a voice in government. The league publishes information about local government, distributes nonpartisan information on candidates and issues at election time, assists with voter registration, and sponsors candidates’ forums. Membership is open to men and women of voting age. Write the league at P.O. Box 103, Darien CT 06820 or check online at lwv.darien.org.

Is there a men’s club?

The Senior Men’s Association of Darien is dedicated to good fellowship, education, recreation and community service. Its membership is open to men in the Darien area aged 55 or over. Meetings are every Wednesday, September through mid-June, at Meadowlands. Call 655-9050 for information or visit online at dariendca.org/senior_men.htm.

Is there a group for parents?

The Parent Awareness Network is a YWCA program geared toward parents with children in kindergarten through fifth grade, although all are welcome. The group offers free educational programs. Call 655-2535.

Mom’s Morning In is an activity program for parents/caregivers and preschool children. The group meets Fridays at 10 at the Darien Community Association. Call 655-9050 or visit dariendca.org/moms.htm.

What is the Darien Land Trust?

The primary goal of the Darien Land Trust is to preserve and protect open space in town. Currently, the land trust owns 161 acres, with conservation easements on another 26. For information, visit darienlandtrust.org, or call executive director Shirley Nichols at 655-4148 or e-mail shirleynichols@darienlandtrust.org.

Are there any environmental groups?

The Darien Environmental Group educates people about ways they can change their consumer and lifestyle habits to benefit the environment. The group meets the first Monday of the month, 9:30 to 11, at the library. For information, visit darienenvironmentalgroup.org or e-mail DEG06820@optonline.net

Is there a gardening club?

The Darien Community Association sponsors The Garden Club. Programs include lectures, panel discussions, trips, hands-on design sessions, and bench shows. All Garden Club members must first be members of the Darien Community Association. For information, call 655-9050 or visit online at dariendca.org/garden.htm.

The Garden Club of Darien is part of the Garden Clubs of America. For information, call Joan Barksdale at 655-7507.

Cherry Lawn Community Gardens at Cherry Lawn Park offers gardeners of all levels the opportunity to cultivate and harvest organic herbs, flowers, and vegetables. Membership is available through Darien Parks and Recreation. For details, visit online at garden.darien.org or call Sonia Smith at 656-1767.

What veterans organizations are in town?

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6933 (655-8552) is at 205 Noroton Avenue, Noroton Heights. There is also a ladies auxiliary.

What is the Darien Arts Center?

The Darien Arts Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering education and entertainment through music, dance, theater, and the visual arts. The center offers classes, performances, and special events at its complex at the rear of town hall on Renshaw Road.

Programs take place Monday through Saturday. The office is open from 10 to 4 weekdays. Detailed catalogs are available. Call 655-8683 or visit arts.darien.org.

What is the Darien Community Association?

The Darien Community Association, 274 Middlesex Road, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to philanthropic, cultural, recreational, and educational activities. Members participate in programs, lectures, trips, and other events. The association makes grants to social service agencies and gives scholarships to students in need.

For information, call 655-9050 or visit online at dariendca.org.

Can anyone help me look up my family history?

The Middlesex Genealogical Society provides guidance to people researching their family history. The society has also established a genealogy section at the Darien Library. There are meetings and talks throughout the year. For details, visit the Web site at mgs.darien.org.