New Canaan Country School Holds Annual Day of Service

From New Canaan Country School: Members of the ninth grade class led more than 400 New Canaan Country School students, their families and teachers to serve 14 local non-profit organizations April 1. This was all part of the third annual Kyle A. Markes Day of Service which drew over a total of 400 Country School students, their families and teachers in a wide range of activities which benefited 14 non-profit organizations located throughout Fairfield county. The day itself was in honor of a sixth-grade student who passed away in 2013, but whose commitment to community service became an inspiration for all at the Pre-K through grade 9 school.

Volunteer groups washed windows and painted at The Boys and Girls Clubs of America (Stamford), raked leaves and prepared food trays atInspirica (Stamford), sorted and stocked deliveries to the food pantry at New Covenant Center (Stamford), prepared grocery bags of food atPerson-To-Person (Norwalk), cleaned up a playground, planted spring flowers and organized donated clothing at the Open Door Shelter (Norwalk), planted a tomato garden at the New Canaan Inn, played Family Feud with seniors at the Waveny Care Center Nursing Home (New Canaan), participated in a charity spin class in support of the ELM Project and Camp Amerikids at JoyRide Darien, compiled dental hygiene kits forAmericares of Norwalk, created flash cards, clocks and other teaching tools for ESL students at Building One Community (Stamford), packed snack bags for the homeless population served by Family & Children’s Agency (Norwalk), prepared gift cards and gift bags for pediatric patients ofYale’s Smilow Cancer Center (New Haven) and held a bake sale to benefit blood cancer research and Delete Blood Cancer (New York City).

The day culminated with a basketball tournament on a court dedicated in Kyle’s honor. Twenty 4-person teams comprised of Middle and Upper School students, including many of Kyle’s classmates, competed in a spirited 3 v 3 tournament. Proceeds from the games will benefit Horizons at New Canaan Country School.

Before the tournament began, Jackqueline Mclean-Markes, standing alongside her husband, Walter Markes, thanked the crowd. “We know that Kyle is smiling down on us. He was all about service and this is the best way to honor him. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

“It has been moving to see Kyle’s graduating classmates develop an on-going commitment to service.” said Director of Community Development Lynn Sullivan whose office organized the event along with the school’s Parents’ Association. “The Class of 2017 may be moving on, but Kyle’s legacy remains.”

Members of the New Canaan Country School ninth grade class who participated in the day’s events included: Molly Connors (New Canaan), Celia Sotirhos (New Canaan), Eloise Morgan (Darien), Sophie Smith (New Canaan), Kara Ventura (Weston). Megan Meyerson (New Canaan), Catherine Ziac (Cos Cob), Sofie Pazstor (Norwalk), Haley Strom (New Canaan), Taylor Mitchell (Darien), Merrill Bright (New Canaan), Emma Hunter (Darien), Ellie Boeschenstein (New Canaan), Griffin Dewey (New Canaan), Carolina Salvatore (New Canaan). Mimi Ndokwu (Stamford), Sloane Latimer (Darien), Nicholas Sosnow (Darien), James Hudson (New Canaan), Carter George (Darien), Kevin Barnard (New Canaan), Finley Bean (Rowayton), Austin Andersen (Wilton), Cameron Lawrence (Rowayton), Hayden Critchell (New Canaan), Charlie Tait (New Canaan), Katie Stevens (Darien), Nate Stevens (Darien), Bo Zeigler (Rowayton), Henry Alpaugh (Darien), Chuck Warren (New Canaan), Teddy Schoenholtz (New Canaan), Marc Belak (Darien), Shane Baldwin (Darien) and Dylan Koo (New Canaan).

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent, day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9. Located at 635 Frogtown Rd, in New Canaan, the school provides transportation to families living throughout Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

Photo courtesy of New Canaan Country School