The Darien Chamber of Commerce honored local nonprofit The Darien Foundation for its 25 years of enriching Darien with grants that benefit the community. Kesti Aysseh, executive director of the Chamber, attended the Foundation’s board meeting in September to present the organization with a plaque to mark the occasion. “The Chamber takes a leadership role in our community, and we are thrilled to get this recognition from them,” said Board Chair Ward Glassmeyer.
The Darien Foundation was originally founded by local parents in 1998, who aimed to contribute technology and computers to the Darien Public Schools. The organization soon expanded to providing grants to the Mather Senior Center, the Darien Police, Darien EMS Post 53, the three volunteer fire departments, as well as other local two organizations such as the Darien Library. To date, The Darien Foundation has awarded nearly $6 million in grants to benefit the community of Darien, including $443,000 in grants awarded during their fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2023.
- DAF Media Joint Venture with the Darien Athletic Foundation — $72,500
- Darien Fire Department Jaws of Life tools — $100,000
- Darien Parks & Rec Department (Weed Beach) — $35,000
- Darien Police Department Police Boat — $124,000
- Darien Public School initiatives — $11,500
- The Tiny Miracles Foundation — $100,000
“It is an honor to recognize and celebrate the work and contributions that our Chamber members make to our community,” said Kesti Aysseh, executive director of The Darien Chamber of Commerce. “The Darien Foundation has played a crucial role in providing grants that directly benefit not only our youth, first responders, and schools, but many of our Chamber member nonprofit organizations.”
Photo Caption: Ward Glassmeyer, chair of The Darien Foundation Board (L front); Sarah Woodberry, executive director of The Darien Foundation (R front); and the assembled Board of Directors accept a plaque from Kesti Aysseh (C front), executive director of the Darien Chamber of Commerce, to honor the 25th Anniversary of The Darien Foundation.
Photo credit: Calderwood Photography https://calderwoodphotography.com