Katie Banzhaf, Executive Director, STAR presents the “Stars & Stripes” sculpture to Jack McFadden, immediate Past President, STAR at his home in Wilton
STAR, Inc. Lighting the Way… of Norwalk presented former president Jack McFadden with “Stars and Stripes,” a five-foot star sculpture recognizing his commitment to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Jack has served STAR Inc., Lighting the Way... in a number of roles over the last 30 years, including president of the board of directors on three separate occasions. His most recent term as president ended in November of this year.
Katie Banzhaf, Executive Director of STAR Inc., Lighting the Way…, presented the sculpture to Jack at his home in Wilton. She commented, “There is no individual more deserving of such recognition. Jack has positioned the organization to grow and succeed for years to come. Individuals with developmental disabilities throughout our area have a bright future thanks to his leadership.”
The presentation of “Stars and Stripes” holds particular significance to the organization and Jack. In 2001, the board of STAR was planning celebratory events for the agency’s 50th anniversary. At an initial meeting, Jack suggested that the organization consider a large outdoor sculpture project. This led to the 2002 “Galaxy of STARS” which was sponsored by local businesses and individuals on behalf of STAR. Outstanding local artists uniquely decorated the five-foot star sculptures, which were on display throughout the summer months in Wilton, Norwalk, Westport, Weston, Darien and New Canaan. The “Galaxy of STARS” became the most successful public relations initiative in the organization’s history. At the end of the project, the star sculptures were auctioned at the 50th anniversary celebratory dinner, which became the Galaxy of STARS Dinner Dance and Auction. This has remained STAR’s most successful fundraising event, raising almost $2,000,000 over the past eight years to benefit STAR’s programs and services. The project also received national recognition and was featured in the publication, American Art Parade—where the campaign was selected to represent Connecticut among those from each state judged to have the most positive impact within the community.
The “Stars and Stripes” sculpture was produced by Joyce Howell, a local folk artist who was trained as a landscape painter at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The sculpture features bold red and white stripes and white stars on a blue background.
In addition to his ongoing role on the board of STAR, Jack heads up communications for the award-winning national corporate responsibility and sustainability programs at Deloitte, where he works in the Wilton office. He, his wife Deborah and son Joey have been long-time Wilton residents; Jack’s daughter Melissa, who was born with Down syndrome, passed away during her senior year of high school after contracting leukemia. Prior to her death, Melissa was a shining light within the community where she was an honors student and varsity cheerleader and she also worked at the YMCA as a receptionist. A pink granite bench at the entrance to the “Y” commemorates her memory. Further, an annual scholarship in her name from the “Y” is offered to worthy high school students who demonstrate caring for those with special needs.
Upon learning that he would receive this honor, McFadden stated: “My association with STAR started out of love for my daughter Melissa who benefited from STAR’s services. It continues because of the extraordinary work that STAR does. STAR magnifies every dollar’s worth of support into ten dollars worth of good.”
Those interested in making contributions to STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way, can contact Mike Petell at (203) 846-9581, ext. 302 or visit www.starinc-lightingtheway.org. To learn more about the Melissa McFadden Scholarship Fund, please contact Gloria Bass at the Wilton Family YMCA.
STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization serving individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families.
