Norwalk ACTS chief heaps praise on volunteers, board members

To the Editor:

Huge Shout Out to all of the Norwalk ACTS volunteers and board members who helped in so many ways [last] week to contribute to the success of the international Association of Children’s Museums Interactivity Conference hosted by our partner, Stepping Stones Museum for Children. We were proud to welcome keynote speaker StriveTogether’s Managing Director Jeff Edmondson who shared his thoughts on the role of Collective Impact in improving educational outcomes with close to 1,000 children’s museum professionals from around the world. Jeff also met with Norwalk ACTS Membership for lunch and with its Advisory Board and Investors Network.

Shout Out to one of our Advisory Board Members Ceci Maher, a recipient of the Darien/Norwalk YMCA’s 2016 Women of Distinction award which recognizes women who epitomize community leadership through their tireless non-profit work and contributions. In addition to serving as Executive Director of Person to Person, Ceci generously gives her time to many community groups, including serving on the board of Volunteer Square and Community Plates, and volunteering as a college coach/mentor for A Better Chance (ABC) in Wilton.

Shout Out to a whole host of community members who demonstrated Collective Impact in action to support early childhood literacy by building Norwalk’s “Little Library,” outside the Health Department at City Hall and at the Carousel Preschool. The mailbox-like structures were built by volunteers from Eversource Energy and The Norwalk Woodworkers Club; Lowe’s donated the materials; and United Way of Coastal Fairfield County coordinated the project. Since opening last month, more than 500 free books have been distributed to Norwalk children.

Anthony Allison
Executive Director
Norwalk ACTS