The locally owned company has teamed with local Girl Scout to support Ridgefield Fire Fighters
Young’s of Ridgefield recently joined forces with Angelina Cerulli, a local Girl Scout, to bring fresh produce to the Ridgefield Professional Fire Fighters and other first responders in town. Angelina, a Senior at Wooster School in Danbury, CT, is working on a “Farm to Firehouse” initiative as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award. She is built a vegetable garden at Fire Station #2 in Ridgebury.
Young’s Fencing donated the fencing for the vegetable garden. With so much wildlife in the area, the first step to a successful garden is ensuring it is protected. Proper installation of the fencing is vital to the garden’s longevity and the professionals at Young’s are experts at installing garden fences.
“I’m so excited that Young’s is supporting my project by not only donating the fence but installing it for me,” said Angelina Cerulli, a Girl Scout in Troop 50879 since she was in Kindergarten at Barlow Mountain Elementary School. “It brings me such calm to know that the fence has been installed properly and will keep all the deer and groundhogs in the area from helping themselves to the vegetables for years to come”
Dan Rella, co-owner of Young’s Fencing says “when Angelina approached us about helping with the fence for her Gold Award garden at the Ridgebury firehouse, we were thrilled to offer our help. We love and support our local firefighters and first responders as well as the young people of this community, so it was a no-brainer.”
“The Farm to Firehouse” Initiative was created by Angelina Cerulli, daughter of Fire Captain Tony Cerulli. She realized that the full-time, professional firefighters are on duty for 24 hours at a time and don’t always have time to prepare fresh, healthy meals. By building a vegetable garden right outside the door of the Ridgebury firehouse, the on-duty shift now has access to fresh, healthy ingredients without having to take time to go into town to buy groceries.
In addition to responding to fire calls and other emergencies, the RFD is also responsible for handling all EMS calls in town. In one 24 hour shift, they can respond to over 13 calls. Responding to all these calls is very stressful and many first responders suffer from PTSD. The garden also serves as a place of respite for the weary firefighters and features a meditative space for them to go and catch their breath. There are signs throughout the garden with resources for PTSD counseling.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable—proof that not only can she make a difference, but that she already has. Seniors and Ambassadors who earn the Gold Award tackle issues that are dear to them and drive lasting change in their communities and beyond.