By Dan Gilbert
Last Saturday (November 23, 2024), Weston’s Kiwanis Club and the Weston High School Key Club members reached out to customers at Lily’s Weston Market and the Weston Pharmacy to stock the Weston Food Pantry with nutritious and hearty shelf-stable food and personal care products. Weston residents were very generous. It was wonderful seeing parents and their children donating food and personal care products to help their Weston neighbors.
Anne Bigin, the Food Pantry president, noted, “This past weekend’s food drive brought in over 65 bags of shelf-stable foods and toiletries. In addition to the items purchased or dropped off, we $454 outside of Lily’s, and an additional $340 was donated through Venmo for a total of $794! The food and toiletries drive helps over 70 Weston families with food insecurity. It’s important and necessary to help our neighbors in need, and the Weston Food Pantry appreciates all that Kiwanis does to help our town.”
A good many wonderful volunteers made the drive happen. Reed Ameden provided the Kiwanis certificate of insurance to Weston Shopping Center Manager Josh Tolk. Harry Falber submitted information regarding the drive to Ted Craft (Weston Today) and First Selectman Samantha Nestor. The publicity the drive received was superb. Anne Bigin brought food bins, a cash jar, lists of needed food and personal care products, and a food drive sign. Key Club Advisor Dawn Egan coordinated with the Weston High School Key Club for volunteer support. Allison Lisbon recruited two student volunteers. Reed Ameden, Dave Burns, and Tom Failla set up and took down Kiwanis branding material (tent, feather flag, food drive sign).
The Kiwanis volunteers who interacted with shoppers were Karen Chrisley, Bill Flanagan, Dallas Kersey, Carl Urbania, Dave Burns, Tom Failla, Harvey Luft, and Judy Stripp. Steve Thomas provided invaluable guidance. Allison Lisbon’s son Justin and his friend Skyler Cole moved the food and personal care products to the pantry’s storage area.
Pictured in the Kiwanis group photograph by Dan Gilbert, left to right: Bill Flanagan, Reed Ameden, Dallas Kersey, Carl Urbania Anne Bigin (President Weston Food Pantry), Annabel Gill, Emily Kreger, India Kreger, Lily Fournier, Paige Macnicki, Antonina Chmiel, Clarice Braun, Grant Mattinson, and Liam Rothlein.
Click or touch the button below to see over twenty pictures of the food drive from Dan Gilbert, Jim McMorris, and Reed Ameden.
Last Updated: November 29, 2024 by Robert Uzenoff
Kiwanis Holiday Food Drive Success
By Dan Gilbert
Last Saturday (November 23, 2024), Weston’s Kiwanis Club and the Weston High School Key Club members reached out to customers at Lily’s Weston Market and the Weston Pharmacy to stock the Weston Food Pantry with nutritious and hearty shelf-stable food and personal care products. Weston residents were very generous. It was wonderful seeing parents and their children donating food and personal care products to help their Weston neighbors.
Anne Bigin, the Food Pantry president, noted, “This past weekend’s food drive brought in over 65 bags of shelf-stable foods and toiletries. In addition to the items purchased or dropped off, we $454 outside of Lily’s, and an additional $340 was donated through Venmo for a total of $794! The food and toiletries drive helps over 70 Weston families with food insecurity. It’s important and necessary to help our neighbors in need, and the Weston Food Pantry appreciates all that Kiwanis does to help our town.”
A good many wonderful volunteers made the drive happen. Reed Ameden provided the Kiwanis certificate of insurance to Weston Shopping Center Manager Josh Tolk. Harry Falber submitted information regarding the drive to Ted Craft (Weston Today) and First Selectman Samantha Nestor. The publicity the drive received was superb. Anne Bigin brought food bins, a cash jar, lists of needed food and personal care products, and a food drive sign. Key Club Advisor Dawn Egan coordinated with the Weston High School Key Club for volunteer support. Allison Lisbon recruited two student volunteers. Reed Ameden, Dave Burns, and Tom Failla set up and took down Kiwanis branding material (tent, feather flag, food drive sign).
The Kiwanis volunteers who interacted with shoppers were Karen Chrisley, Bill Flanagan, Dallas Kersey, Carl Urbania, Dave Burns, Tom Failla, Harvey Luft, and Judy Stripp. Steve Thomas provided invaluable guidance. Allison Lisbon’s son Justin and his friend Skyler Cole moved the food and personal care products to the pantry’s storage area.
Pictured in the Kiwanis group photograph by Dan Gilbert, left to right: Bill Flanagan, Reed Ameden, Dallas Kersey, Carl Urbania Anne Bigin (President Weston Food Pantry), Annabel Gill, Emily Kreger, India Kreger, Lily Fournier, Paige Macnicki, Antonina Chmiel, Clarice Braun, Grant Mattinson, and Liam Rothlein.
Click or touch the button below to see over twenty pictures of the food drive from Dan Gilbert, Jim McMorris, and Reed Ameden.
Category: Blog Post
Upcoming events
Club Meeting. Breakfast. Program: Pulling Together - Lisa Brodlie, Sarah Hutchison & Mike Aitkenhead A community plan to teach invasive plant management and other restoration strategies in the town of Weston.
Pulling Together members Lisa Brodlie, Sarah Hutchison, and Mike Aikenhead will discuss the volunteer group's work. The group's goal is to educate neighbors and show them how to respect existing wetlands, identify and remove invasive plants, and encourage the use of native plants to decrease soil erosion, improve wildlife habitat, and protect water quality.
Pulling Together partners with Lachat Farm and Weston Public Schools to host invasive removal workshops. To date, they have accomplished 1,200+ hours of invasive removal work on town property in five years.
Lisa Brodlie
Lisa Brodlie is a retired registered nurse with a botanical background and an interest in invasive plants. Lisa has been a member of CIPWG since its inception and now serves on the steering committee, outreach and education committee, and most recently the advisory board for the invasive plant certificate program.
Lisa has spent the last two decades volunteering with local conservation organizations, like the Nature Conservancy, where she has volunteered her time and expertise on community outreach events, invasive removal sessions, and advocacy opportunities.
Her latest invasive removal project involves restoring the riparian buffer at Lachat Town Farm in Weston, CT.
Sarah Hutchison is a retired cost engineer with a passion for ecological gardening. Born in Scotland UK, Sarah moved to the USA in 2001 and put down roots in the invasive plant community when she participated in the UConn Master Gardener program.
Her interest in native plants inspired her to launch the Weston Pollinator Pathway in 2019, leading to her current partnership with Lachat Town Farm and the Weston Schools to plant pollinator gardens and remove invasive plants on town property.
Sarah was a member of the Town of Weston Sustainability Committee from 2019-2024, where she focused on creating more education and awareness among town residents of land stewardship practices that support wildlife and protect our natural resources.
Mike Aikenhead
Mike Aikenhead is a passionate educator who has transformed Environmental Science at WHS since joining the school in 2017. In 2023, he launched Sustainable Solutions, an innovative project-based learning class that empowers students to tackle real-world environmental challenges within the school and local community. That same year, Mike was named Weston's Teacher of the Year and honored as a Connecticut State Semi-Finalist.
Before coming to Weston, he expanded the Environmental Science program at Staples High School, where he was recognized as Westport's 2010 Teacher of the Year. Beyond the classroom, Mike served as the original Steward and Executive Director of Westport's Wakeman Town Farm. For the past 17 years, he has also been a dedicated Adult Team Advisor for Builders Beyond Borders, a student leadership program that conducts service trips in Latin America.
Mike's support of Pulling Together reflects his unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and his belief in the power of young people to drive meaningful change.
Weston Kiwanis meets most Saturdays from September through June at Norfield Congregational Church parish hall. Doors open at 8 a.m. for coffee and conversation, with the breakfast meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending no later than 10 a.m. After breakfast, we have a speaker or community service activity.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast Business Meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast Meeting. Program: Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, Scarlett Lewis
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast Meeting. Program: Green Up Day
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast Meeting. Annual Club Meeting For Elections
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast. Program: Kiwanis Club of Weston Service And Leadership Awards
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast Meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Weston Kiwanis meets most Saturdays from September through June at Norfield Congregational Church parish hall. Doors open at 8 a.m. for coffee and conversation, with the breakfast meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending no later than 10 a.m. After breakfast, we have a speaker or community service activity.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast Meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast Meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast Meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast and Youth Awards.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Kiwanis Convention 2025
KIWANIS CONVENTION 2025 • PITTSBURGH, PA • JUNE 25-28
Forging the future
Pittsburgh is known for its innovative industries, thriving cultural scene and a landscape distinguished by rivers and bridges. Of course, the city is also known for its place at the heart of American steel manufacturing. Join us in Pittsburgh for the 2025 Kiwanis International Convention. Be a part of the education, fellowship and decision-making that will forge the organization’s future.
Kiwanis Convention 2025
KIWANIS CONVENTION 2025 • PITTSBURGH, PA • JUNE 25-28
Forging the future
Pittsburgh is known for its innovative industries, thriving cultural scene and a landscape distinguished by rivers and bridges. Of course, the city is also known for its place at the heart of American steel manufacturing. Join us in Pittsburgh for the 2025 Kiwanis International Convention. Be a part of the education, fellowship and decision-making that will forge the organization’s future.
Kiwanis Convention 2025
KIWANIS CONVENTION 2025 • PITTSBURGH, PA • JUNE 25-28
Forging the future
Pittsburgh is known for its innovative industries, thriving cultural scene and a landscape distinguished by rivers and bridges. Of course, the city is also known for its place at the heart of American steel manufacturing. Join us in Pittsburgh for the 2025 Kiwanis International Convention. Be a part of the education, fellowship and decision-making that will forge the organization’s future.
Kiwanis Convention 2025
KIWANIS CONVENTION 2025 • PITTSBURGH, PA • JUNE 25-28
Forging the future
Pittsburgh is known for its innovative industries, thriving cultural scene and a landscape distinguished by rivers and bridges. Of course, the city is also known for its place at the heart of American steel manufacturing. Join us in Pittsburgh for the 2025 Kiwanis International Convention. Be a part of the education, fellowship and decision-making that will forge the organization’s future.
Club Meeting. Breakfast Meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
14th Annual Reservoir Run
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.