The North Stamford Exchange, through support from its membership recently created a patio at the ARI of Connecticut, Inc., a Stamford based organization that provides jobs, homes and support services to people with disabilities, Newfield Avenue Residence. The patio was built at no cost to ARI and will serve as a place for residence to enjoy the outdoors.
A big focus for ARI is to create a homey atmosphere with 100% accessibility for all of its clients. With the help of the North Stamford Exchange, ARI will move closer to their goal. The patio will allow residence to not only enjoy the back yard, but also will allow for barbecuing to occur without having to move the grill onto the grass or driveway.
ARI has been a beneficiary of the NSEC for decades. Besides monetary contributions, the Exchange Club has sponsored a picnic and softball game, built a new wheelchair ramp for an ARI facility and recently completed a concrete patio for an ARI home. "It is gratifying to know that our donations help to improve the daily living of the individuals of ARI," says Kevin Roones, President of NSEC. A special thanks to NSEC members Lou Aita, Mike Lamont, Mike Tomasello and Andy Tomasello who, with the help of a licensed contractor, coordinated and completed the patio project.
About ARI of Connecticut, Inc.
ARI of Connecticut, Inc. is a community service organization founded over fifty years ago by a group of parents and friends of people with developmental disabilities. Since 1952, ARI has evolved into a leading agency that provides high quality residential, respite, recreation, vocational and day services in Stamford and surrounding towns. ARI relies on community support to help offset the continued decrease in government funding. Most of this community supports is received through the many fundraising events hosted throughout the year. The next event is the annual Comedy Night held on Saturday, October 23, 2010 from 6:30-11:00pm at the Hibernian Hall in Stamford, CT. For more information contact Gerard J. Gasparino @ 203-324-9258, x3023 or visit www.arict.org.
About the North Stamford Exchange Club
The North Stamford Exchange Club (NSEC) is a group of volunteers working to make the Stamford Community a better place to live. Their community service efforts focus those seeking better conditions, better understandings, and greater opportunities for all.
Throughout the years, the NSEC has been responsible for community improvements of all types such as: sponsoring athletic teams, honoring City championship Volleyball and Softball teams, providing college scholarships, providing financial and material assistance to individuals, honoring Americanism and contributing to the Exchange Club Parenting Skills Center in Stamford.
Like ARI, NSEC relies on the generous donations from the community to fund their various programs. On October 24th, they will be holding their 3rd Annual Beer Exchange from 1-4pm at the Italian Center in Stamford. Tickets for this beer and food tasting event are $55 per person. For more information, contact Amy Wilmot at amywilmot@optonnline.net or visit www.northstamfordexchangeclub.org.
