Fairfield, CT - One year ago, a group of volunteers from the community created a new non-profit organization called the Friends of the Bigelow Senior Center whose mission is to raise and administer funds to enhance programs, services, and facilities of the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities, and to collaborate with and support it through advocacy on a broad basis and in the community.
After much hard work and dedication, the organization launched its “Be a Friend” campaign which was a great success. With a full board in place, Marjorie Morresi, President of the Friends, said, “We are grateful to the residents of Fairfield who have supported our campaign and to the dedicated members of the Board of Directors."
The Friends' first fundraising event was a “Magical Music” Cabaret. Since then, it participated in “Giving Day”, a 24-hour online event hosted by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. In the spring, The Friends sponsored a “Swinging into Summer” evening with the Tony Reno Band and a special dance demonstration by the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Southport. The new fundraising group will sponsor the nine Friends Fall Thursdays weekly evening lecture series with a light supper at the Senior Center. This evening series features an eclectic mix of currently relevant topics with acclaimed presenters. On the evening of October 14th the Friends will present a rock and roll “Retro Bash” featuring 50’s and 60’s music from Motown to the Beatles. The proceeds from the fundraising events will be used for a state-of- the art audio/visual system to allow for more innovative programming at the Center.
In addition to the Senior Center’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, many activities at the Bigelow Center have been underwritten by the Friends such as the world class Irish Dancers who created a wonderful St. Patrick’s Celebration, the annual Volunteer Luncheon, and the very first concert on the lawn by the “almost all physicians” band “DNR”.
Ms. Terry Giegengack, Director of Human Services for the Town of Fairfield, commented recently, “The Friends is a vital organization to the life of our senior center! We are grateful for the Friends’ support that enhances more at the senior center… more fun, more entertainment, more outstanding lectures, and more enhancements to the Center itself, especially in this time of fiscal restraint. It is with great pleasure and appreciation to the Friends for their sponsorship that the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities presents the new 2017 lecture series, the Friends Fall Thursdays.”
The Friends encourage participation and support from the community. If you are interested in finding out more about this organization and its events, or would like to contribute to the growth and development of the Senior Center, call the Senior Center at 203-256-3166 or email us at FriendsoftheBSC@gmail.com.
PHOTO: Members of the Board of Directors. Standing from left to right: Rosemary Rembetsy, Cathy Rotanz, Palma Senatore, Margo Schiff, Peggy Chandler, Terry Murphy, Nancy Legare, and Helaine Davis.
Seated, left to right: Carol Way, Sandra-Ann Nolfo, Vice President Richard DeAngelis, President Marjorie Morresi, Curtis Bentley, and Eric Johnson.
Photo Credit: Mike Lauterborn