Human Services Director Barbara Butler today announced the eleventh year of the “Ceremonies

and Celebrations” program in response to requests from school staff for assistance in purchasing

new clothing for graduating middle and high school students.

“Last year, thanks to the generosity of the Westport community and the schools’ PTAs, 40

Westport students were able to purchase new special event clothing for their graduations from

middle and high school,” Butler said. “This year, the number of requests is considerably

higher.”

“The public can help fill the need for this year’s graduating students and lift a bit of the expense

burden from their families by making a tax-deductible donation,” Butler said. Butler said her

department had received numerous heartfelt notes of thanks and the photographs of the proud

young people as they walked across the stage or stood with their relatives on this special day.

“Looking for that perfect year end gift for a special school staff member? A perfect way to

remember a special teacher or person in a student’s life is a donation in their name to this special

fund. Donors are asked to note the teacher’s name and the donor’s or student’s name. A formal

letter of acknowledgement will be sent to the honored individual.”

“If donors prefer, gift cards of any amount (American Express, Visa, Master Card, Trumbull

Mall/Westfield Shopping Center) are most welcome as well,” Butler said.

Checks should be made payable to “DHS Family Programs” (memo line: Ceremonies) and will

be gratefully accepted through June. Donations may be mailed or delivered to the Department of

Human Services, Westport Town Hall, Room 200, 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport, CT 06880 from

8:30-4:30 daily.

Residents who are aware of individuals who could benefit from this program should contact

Patty Haberstroh, Family Program Coordinator at hsyouth@westportct.gov or 341-1069 in the

Westport Department of Human Services. Social work staff there will assure that families in

need meet financial and program criteria and are helped.

“While new clothing may seem frivolous to some, to many of our students it represents a special

occasion marking a new beginning and a job well done,” Butler said. ”Dressing kids for special

events is a gift for a special time in a young person’s life. Thank you in advance for helping to

make dreams come true.”