I want to do some volunteer service. Where do I find out what’s available?
The opportunities are many. VolunteerSolutions.org helps volunteers find the non-profits that need their help. Visit volunteersolutions.org or call the Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield at 849-1111. VolunteerSolutions.org is a partner of the United Way of Norwalk & Wilton, United Way of Westport/Weston, and the Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield.
The Volunteer Bureau of Greater Danbury (797-1154) and Infoline of Northwestern Fairfield County (800-203-1234) help link volunteers and organizations that need them.
Children’s sporting activities always need volunteer help. You can also call Gail Schiron, Redding’s director of human services, at 938-3580; or Doug Hartline, Redding’s Emergency Management Director, who is recruiting volunteers for a Community Emergency Response Team, at 938-2559. The town is also looking for a volunteer to coordinate the Adopt-A-Road anti-litter program. Call Tom Newsome at 938-3026.
How can I get involved in a political party here?
Call the town chairman of either party. For the Republicans call Ward Mazzucco at 938-9861. For the Democrats call Sam Mayer at 438-6754.
Where can I get a guide to town government or community organizations?
The League of Women Voters publishes a guide to Redding’s elected, appointed, and employed officials. It is available at town hall and the Mark Twain Library. In addition, the town’s Annual Report describes each town board, commission, and committee and lists many community organizations.
Does the town have a garden club?
Membership in the Redding Garden Club is open to women and men. Meetings are held from September through June, usually the third Monday, at the Redding Community Center at 11:30 beginning with a light lunch. Usually there are speakers who talk about gardening, landscaping and other related topics. A panel of experienced club members answers questions about gardening at meetings. The club’s Civic Beautification Committee plants and maintains garden sites around town. The club conducts an annual plant sale in the spring. A scholarship fund benefits a Joel Barlow High School senior planning a career in conservation, horticulture or the environment. The club’s Fall Holiday Boutique and Luncheon is in November. There is a club newsletter. For membership information, call Sharon Epstein at 938-9199.
Does the town have a chapter of the National Charity League?
The Redding area chapter of the National Charity League is a mother and daughter philanthropic organization for girls in grades 7 through 12. The organization’s purpose is primarily to support the mother and daughter relationship through the teenage years, and to promote a community service attitude in young women. Local member actively volunteer for many civic groups. For information, call Diane Auriemma at 268-6684.
Is there a grange in town?
The Redding Grange, founded in 1875 and continuously operating since 1939, has a hall on Newtown Turnpike. The grange is a non-partisan, agricultural family fraternity that builds fellowship, service and member activities. Redding Grange No. 15 meets the second and fourth Monday at the Grange Hall. Annual spring and fall fairs are conducted. Call 938-2606 or Ronald Gunther, master of the grange, at 748-0463.
Is there a newcomers organization?
Redding Neighbors and Newcomers is a social and philanthropic organization that helps newcomers integrate into the community and meet new people. Membership is also open to longtime Reddingites. Several special interest groups meet through the group, which also has various social events. To join or for information, call Cathy Kane at 938-4175. The club’s Web site is www.reddingneighborsandnewcomers.org.
What does the League of Women Voters do?
The league works to increase voter awareness and participation in the community. If you would like to get involved, call Jane Ross at 938-2650, visit lwvct.org/redding/ or write to League of Women Voters of Redding, P.O. Box 1100, Redding 06875.
Is there a group for mothers?
The MOMS Club is a support group for Redding and Ridgefield mothers who stay at home with their children, including those who have home-based businesses and those who work part-time but are home with their children during the day. The group meets monthly and has a variety of activities. E-mail momsclubridgefield@yahoo.com or call Lori Pereyra at 431-4950. The Web site is www.momsclubridgefield.tripod.com.
What computer users groups are in the area?
The Danbury Area Computer Society (DACS) meets on the first Tuesday of each month in the auditorium at Danbury Hospital. Meetings are open to the public and begin at 6:30 p.m. with casual networking followed at 8 by a speaker. The group has 14 special interest groups that meet monthly. The club offers help lines, a bulletin board, and a monthly magazine. Call 748-4330 or visit www.DACS.org.
Is there an American Association of University Women chapter?
The Ridgefield branch of the AAUW serves Redding. Founded in 1881, the AAUW is the oldest and largest national organization working for the education and economic equality of women. It provides money for study and research to American and international women, seeks to remove economic and cultural barriers faced by women. Local branch meetings are open to the public. Check local listings for times and locations. To get involved, call Jill McKean at 431-6561 or visit online at www.aauw-ct.ridgefield.org.
What is the Junior League?
The Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk is a non-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 on joining, call 655-4662.
Do we have any environmental organizations?
The Redding Land Trust, incorporated in 1956, is a non-profit organization that accepts and manages gifts of land. The trust holds 1,150 acres in open space land gifts and easements in town. These lands will remain as natural land forever. The trust, which costs $5 to join, sponsors hikes, trail clean-ups, and educational programs. The trust also maintains several preserves in town. For more information call trust President Mary Anne Guitar at 938-2043, or write to P.O. Box 76, Redding 06875.
Redding is home to the Highstead Arboretum, 127 Lonetown Road (938-8809), which is open to the public by appointment or for certain special occasions. Unlike traditional arboretums where land is primarily cultivated for non-native woody plant species in a garden setting, Highstead’s collections are based on “sound ecological principles in which cultivated plants are grown in harmony with existing plant populations.” Highlights include a 2.5-acre pond, swamp walk, and collections of mountain laurel and native azalea. Memberships are available.
Cultural Creatives in Action is a group of socially and environmentally concerned people “who value and support a world view of compassion, peace, and less materialism, and who view nature as sacred.” The group meets regularly in Redding. For information, call Pat Hinkley at 240-0647 or visit www.culturalcreativesinaction.com.
Is there a historical society in Redding?
The Redding Historical Society sponsors several annual community events including an antiques fair, a Revolutionary War re-enactment (by DeLancey’s Brigade), Militia Day for third graders, and a Christmas tour at its Lonetown Farm Museum. For more information, call Lynn Hyson, president, at 431-0613.
The Redding Preservation Society has its focus on local historic preservation issues. It works with the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Call Raymond D’Angelo, chairman, at 938-0240.
Is there a club for children?
The Jesse P. Sanford Boys and Girls Club of Redding is a focal point of youth activities in town. The club’s mission is to provide safe, supervised recreation to Redding children. It uses volunteer coaches, directors, and parents. The club’s eight-acre facility on Cross Highway offers baseball, softball, basketball and flag football activities, as well as summer sport camps. Call 938-3166 for further information or visit the club’s Web site at www.rbgc.net.
Do we have a Lions Club?
The Georgetown Lions Club has fund-raisers - including an annual carnival at the Wilton High School field - to help disabled children, provide free eye exams, promote drug awareness, and support the Diabetes Foundation. For information, call 544-9977.
Is there a Daughters of the American Revolution chapter in the area?
Membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution is open to any woman 18 years or older who can trace her ancestry 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 regularly. Check The Pilot for meeting details. For information, call Alice Ayers at 762-3045.
Is there a veterans group here?
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.
The Bethel American Legion Post 100, 7 Elizabeth Street, can be reached at 748-9400.
What is the International Club?
The International Club is a social club for women who have lived in another country for at least a year or are foreign-born. Members share in social and cultural activities and form friendships with other women who have experienced life abroad. The club holds monthly coffee meetings, French and German conversation groups, trips to museums, and evening social events. There are groups that hike, play cards, attend cultural events, and play mah-jongg. For information, call Jane Symington at 894-1153 or visit www.riclub.org.
Is there a substance abuse prevention group?
The Easton-Redding Community Coalition, a substance abuse prevention committee serving Redding and Easton, is composed of concerned citizens, representatives from each school, PTA/PTSA organizations, law enforcement agencies, clergy and the two town governments. Among other things, the committee runs a Family University each spring at Joel Barlow High School, and distributes a Safe Homes brochure (to parents of sixth grade through high school students that incorporates a pledge that parents will not knowingly serve alcohol to minors in their homes) and “Guidelines for Get Togethers” booklet, as well as a “Driver Information Manual for Teens and Parents.” For information, call Bill Gilotti at 938-9450 or e-mail upndwn1959@aol.com.
Are there any special interest groups in town?
There are several special interest groups: Quality Education for 3 Schools (QE3) works to ensure high quality education in the three schools - Redding Elementary School, John Read Middle School and Joel Barlow High School. It tries to increase awareness of key education issues and to encourage voter participation. Call Peggy Zamore at 938-3330 for information.
Nonpartisan Action for A Better Redding (NABR) favors providing a significant grant to parents who send children to private schools while at the same time reducing the town budget proportionally. Call 938-9086 or visit www.betterredding.org to learn more about the group.
Is there a meditation group?
The nonprofit Redding Meditation Society practices several times a week at the Redding Meditation Center, 9 Picketts Ridge Road in West Redding. Call 438-0478.
