New Canaan Country School Day of Service Benefits Open Door Shelter In Norwalk

From New Canaan Country School: Forty New Canaan Country School volunteers worked side-by-side Saturday, April 1 planting spring flowers and cleaning up a playground area at Norwalk’s Open Door Shelter. The group also sorted and hung donated clothing. This project was 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.

“I think it is really important to do something that can positively impact those in my community,” said Country School ninth-grader Finley Bean of Norwalk.

“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.”

Photo courtesy of New Canaan Country School (Students, their families and teachers from New Canaan Country School who volunteered at Norwalk’s Open Door Shelter April 1 included (front row from left): Thomas Ricciardelli of New Canaan, Finley Bean of Norwalk, Sam Ives of New Canaan, Nate Stevens of Darien, Henry Dale of Darien and Mia Secko of Norwalk. (Back row from left): Michael Ricciardelli, Jeannie Bean of Norwalk, Jeffrey Ricciardelli, and Jack Johnson of New Canaan, Alex Byrne of Darien, Kevin Barnard of New Canaan, Kevin Thompson of Norwalk, Kerry and Jed Stevens of Darien.)