By Dan Gilbert
The Kiwanis Club of Weston and Weston High School Key Club members were out in full force Saturday, January 25, 2025 receiving donations of shelf-stable food and personal care products for clients of the Weston Food Pantry.
With temperatures in the mid-teens, Kiwanians and Key Clubbers reached out to Westonites shopping at Lily’s Market and the Weston Pharmacy. The Community Food Pantry President Anne Bigin noted:
“For years, Kiwanis has been a steadfast partner to the Weston Food Pantry, helping to ensure that families facing food insecurity have free access to vital resources. Thanks to the collective effort of the Kiwanis members and dedicated students from Weston High School, the drive was a tremendous success. Over 40 bags of shelf-stable food, pet food, toiletries, and household products were gathered to replenish the pantry’s shelves.
The generosity didn’t stop at the physical donations. Residents of Weston also gave generously in the form of cash donations, raising a total of $416. The event not only provided essential items, but it also reinforced the sense of community spirit that defines Weston.”
The Community Food Pantry, Inc.‘s (d/b/a Weston Food Pantry) mission is to stock non-perishable items so that no one in Weston goes hungry. The Weston Food Pantry’s most significant activity is providing free supplemental food weekly to those with food insecurities.
In the photo (Photo credit to Jim McMorris), from left to right are Leka Mustafa, Julien Horovitz, Genevieve Small, Dan Gilbert, Anne Bigin (President Weston Food Pantry), Steve Thomas, Karen Chrisley, Phyllis Gary, Dallas Kersey, and Ryan Bigin. Not pictured above are Kiwanis volunteers Reed Ameden, Dave Burns, Tom Failla, Frank Ferrara, Jim McMorris, Judy Stripp, Ed Hutchins and Key Club volunteers Tabi Cappella (President Weston High School Key Club), India Kreger, Eleni Perez-Christoforidis, Charli Marto, and Antonina Chmiel, as well as, Justin Lisbon who helped move donated items to the food pantry.
Next up for our club is the Super Bowl party the club sponsors for veterans experiencing homelessness at Applied Behavioral Rehabilitation Institute’s transitional residences in Bridgeport: Homes for the Brave for men and The PFC Nicholas A. Madaras Home, Connecticut’s first and only community-based transitional home exclusively for women veterans experiencing homelessness and their young children..
Last Updated: January 29, 2025 by Robert Uzenoff
Kiwanis Leads Food Drive
By Dan Gilbert
The Kiwanis Club of Weston and Weston High School Key Club members were out in full force Saturday, January 25, 2025 receiving donations of shelf-stable food and personal care products for clients of the Weston Food Pantry.
With temperatures in the mid-teens, Kiwanians and Key Clubbers reached out to Westonites shopping at Lily’s Market and the Weston Pharmacy. The Community Food Pantry President Anne Bigin noted:
“For years, Kiwanis has been a steadfast partner to the Weston Food Pantry, helping to ensure that families facing food insecurity have free access to vital resources. Thanks to the collective effort of the Kiwanis members and dedicated students from Weston High School, the drive was a tremendous success. Over 40 bags of shelf-stable food, pet food, toiletries, and household products were gathered to replenish the pantry’s shelves.
The generosity didn’t stop at the physical donations. Residents of Weston also gave generously in the form of cash donations, raising a total of $416. The event not only provided essential items, but it also reinforced the sense of community spirit that defines Weston.”
The Community Food Pantry, Inc.‘s (d/b/a Weston Food Pantry) mission is to stock non-perishable items so that no one in Weston goes hungry. The Weston Food Pantry’s most significant activity is providing free supplemental food weekly to those with food insecurities.
In the photo (Photo credit to Jim McMorris), from left to right are Leka Mustafa, Julien Horovitz, Genevieve Small, Dan Gilbert, Anne Bigin (President Weston Food Pantry), Steve Thomas, Karen Chrisley, Phyllis Gary, Dallas Kersey, and Ryan Bigin. Not pictured above are Kiwanis volunteers Reed Ameden, Dave Burns, Tom Failla, Frank Ferrara, Jim McMorris, Judy Stripp, Ed Hutchins and Key Club volunteers Tabi Cappella (President Weston High School Key Club), India Kreger, Eleni Perez-Christoforidis, Charli Marto, and Antonina Chmiel, as well as, Justin Lisbon who helped move donated items to the food pantry.
Next up for our club is the Super Bowl party the club sponsors for veterans experiencing homelessness at Applied Behavioral Rehabilitation Institute’s transitional residences in Bridgeport: Homes for the Brave for men and The PFC Nicholas A. Madaras Home, Connecticut’s first and only community-based transitional home exclusively for women veterans experiencing homelessness and their young children..
Category: Blog Post
Upcoming events
Valentine's 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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
Breakfast meeting. Program: Faces of Freedom, Walter Schuppe
Before launching this project, Schuppe had a 30-year career in banking and finance, most recently serving as a Senior Vice President/Managing Director at Pacific Western Bank until his retirement in early 2024. In addition to his work with Faces of Freedom, he serves as the treasurer for SEALKIDS, a charity that supports the children of U.S. Navy SEALs.
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.
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.
Breakfast meeting with speaker Toni Boucher, entrepreneur, philanthropist, politician
In the private sector, Boucher has been a trailblazing business leader, managing billion-dollar budgets for major corporations and recently retiring as director of a $30 billion asset management company. A serial entrepreneur, she has founded multiple start-ups and held Series 7, 63, and 31 investment licenses.
As a philanthropist and education advocate, Boucher is transforming entrepreneurship programs at the University of Connecticut School of Business and serves on numerous nonprofit boards funding groundbreaking research and initiatives. She is the author of The Husky Effect: How UConn Is Creating the Entrepreneurs of the Future and has been inducted into Marquis Who’s Who.
Boucher holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut and has called Wilton home for forty years, where she raised three children and now enjoys six grandchildren. Her life’s work continues to focus on creating opportunities for others to achieve their own American Dream.
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 a community service activity.
Stone Doll
An Immigrant’s Memoir from War-Torn Italy to the American Dream
From a dirt floor in Italy to the halls of American power, this is one woman’s incredible journey.
In 1955, five-year-old Toni Boucher and her family left their primitive stone farmhouse in war-torn Italy and boarded a ship for America with nothing in their pockets and no understanding of the English language. But they had hope.
Stone Doll is the stirring memoir of an immigrant girl who turned away hardships, determined not to let challenges place limits on what she could achieve. She arrived in a country that promised everything but guaranteed nothing, and Toni grew up seeing her illiterate parents battle to create a new life when tragedies seemed destined to rip the family apart. Instead, through heartbreak and obstacles, she found her indomitable spirit—first nurtured by her father and brother, and later elevated through her loving partnership with her husband.
From those meager beginnings, Toni found herself to be a leader who exceled in all she took on: entrepreneur, politician, philanthropist. Boucher has run seventeen political campaigns and won fifteen. She reached the highest levels of Connecticut state government. With her husband, she rode the entrepreneur’s roller coaster—complete with devastating failures and formidable achievements, never losing faith in the power of an idea worth fighting for.
Today, Toni is a benefactor of the University of Connecticut and voice for society’s most vulnerable, She shows that the American Dream isn’t just about where you end up—it’s about lifting others as you climb.
This is her American story.
More info:
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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.
St. Patricks's 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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
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.
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.
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.
Passover 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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
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.
Green Up Day breakfast meeting. Program: Millie Best Environmental Award
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.
Community Service - Green Up Day
Annual Club Meeting for Elections 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.
Mother's Day 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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
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.
Memorial Day Weekend Fair
Memorial Day Weekend Fair
Memorial Day Weekend Fair
Memorial Day Weekend Fair
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.
Youth Service and Leadership Award and 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.
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.
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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
High School Awards and Father's Day 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.
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.
Weston Celebrates America 250 Field Day
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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
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.
Installation 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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
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.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
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.