Fairfield Girls Group Members Receive President’s Volunteer Awards

Information from Scholars and Athletes Serving Others:

FAIRFIELD, CT — More than two dozen members of SASO Girls Fairfield, a mother-daughter service organization, were presented with prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Awards in June. Twenty-seven girls donated more than 2,400 hours of their time during a 12-month period to earn the awards.

The recipients are Fairfield residents who attend Fairfield Warde, Fairfield Ludlowe, St. Joseph and Lauralton Hall high schools. Many of them completed more than 100 hours of service in a year. “Earning a PVSA requires dedication, initiative and leadership,” says Jane Becker, SASO Girls’ PVSA coordinator. “Our recipients begin volunteering throughout the summer months and continue through the school year, carving out time between academics, work, sports and other extracurricular activities.” In 2023, SASO Girls awarded PVSA medals to 15 girls; in 2024, the number of recipients nearly doubled, representing close to 20 percent of SASO Girls members. Ten of this year’s award recipients received a PVSA for the second year in a row.

SASO (Scholars and Athletes Serving Others) Girls is comprised of more than 150 mother-daughter teams. SASO members have prepared and served meals for Operation Hope, stocked the pantry at the Thomas Merton Family Center, helped at charity races, assisted with afterschool programs in Bridgeport, brought joy to seniors in the community, and participated in summer service trips and non-profit camp programs.

Founded in 2003, the PVSA program recognizes the important role volunteers play in our nation’s identity and honors individuals whose service has a positive impact on communities and inspires others around them to take action too. The program allows certifying organizations, such as SASO Girls, to recognize their most exceptional young leaders.

For more information, email sasogirlsct@gmail.com.

PHOTO: Members of SASO Girls, a Fairfield-based mother-daughter service organization, contributed more than 2,400 hours of service to earn Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. Pictured in front row, from left to right: Brooke Dougherty, Emilie Jeanty, Annabelle King, Alivia Chappell, Julia Broder, Katelyn Dalto, Sona Madjmudar and Madelyn Press. Back row, from left to right: Cailyn O’Hara, Emily Becker, Ivy Feay, Kelsey Fitter, Caroline Gouley and Kelly Covino.

Not pictured: Kate Bauer, Molly Boldrighini, Ava Cagnassola, Caroline Colucci, Meghan Coyne, Ava Feay, Julianne Freiler, Erin Keenan, Rebecca Morris, Mia Nishiyama, Scarlett Ramirez, Caitlin Smith and Ellery Walker.