Category: Westport

Westport, CT – Human Services Director Elaine Daignault invites community participation in its annual Holiday Giving Program, bringing joy to local families facing financial hardship. The longstanding program is funded entirely by community donations and assists over 80 income-qualified Westport households with school-aged children to purchase gifts and essentials for their families.

https://www.doingitlocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/WestportsHolidayProg.mp4

Annette D’Augelli, Human Services Youth and Family Specialist, has run the program for several years. She states, “Human Services has noted an increase in Westport families and individuals experiencing financial insecurity with many facing unemployment, underemployment, food insecurity, and chronic stress associated with providing for their families.” She continues, “The holidays add an additional financial strain on those living paycheck to paycheck.”

Human Services encourages residents, organizations, and local businesses to help their neighbors by donating funds and gift cards to the program. In addition to some special gifts for the children, many parents use the donated funds to purchase essentials like toiletries, shoes, and clothing. Each donation directly benefits income-eligible residents and brightens the lives of those facing financial difficulty during the season.

D’Augelli also notes, “Many households work multiple jobs to cover necessities like food, childcare, and housing. There is little left for gifts or new clothes that children hope to receive for the holiday. The Holiday Program lessons the burden by providing gift cards for parents to buy items from their child’s wish list.”

Westport’s generosity helps Human Services bring smiles to the faces of school-age children who may otherwise go without during the holidays. Donations directly benefit families who qualify for financial assistance throughout the year. No contribution is too small, and every act of kindness counts.

Those wishing to donate cash, checks, or gift cards to the program can securely contribute to the “Family to Family Seasonal Holiday Giving Program” online at www.westportct.gov/donate.  Or contributions can be mailed to the Westport Department of Human Services at Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.  Donations may also be dropped at Town Hall by appointment.

For confidential assistance, Westport residents facing financial difficulties can contact Human Services at 203-341-1050 or humansrv@westportct.gov. 

Please contact Annette D’Augelli at adaugelli@westportct.gov or 203-341-1183 with questions or ideas to support the annual program. 

On October 27, 2023, at 4:21 PM, emergency services responded to a reported structure fire at a residence on Treadwell Avenue, dispatched by the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch center. Upon arrival, the homeowner had discovered smoke within the house. The Westport Fire Department arrived swiftly with multiple units, including 4 engines, a ladder truck, a rescue team, and the shift commander. Engine 4 from the Saugatuck Fire Station was the first to arrive within 2 minutes and 6 seconds of the dispatch, swiftly addressing the working fire and conducting searches within the home. Fortunately, no injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported. The Westport Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire, while Westport Police Department and EMS provided on-site assistance. Additionally, fire departments from Fairfield and Norwalk covered additional calls at Westport Fire Headquarters during the incident.

https://www.doingitlocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/OnOctober272023.mp4

On Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, the Westport Police Department will again partner with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration for the twenty-fifth National Prescription Drug Take Back Day along with community partners at the Aspetuck Health District and Westport Together. The event will be held at the Aspetuck Health District located at 180 Bayberry Lane, Westport.

According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), most people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that last year, more than 93,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, marking the largest number of drug-related deaths ever recorded in a year.

https://www.doingitlocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/WestportPolicetoPart.mp4

In the words of DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, “Take Back Day is a critical effort to curb the historic surge in U.S. overdoses. We know prevention starts at home. The simple step of clearing out medications that are no longer needed makes our homes safer, prevents prescription drug misuse, and, ultimately, can help save lives.” In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 8,300 tons of medication from circulation since its inception. Please join the Westport Police Department in doing our part to help continue the success of this vital initiative. Please note that collection sites cannot accept illicit drugs, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. Vape pens where the batteries can be removed can be disposed of at the drug take back. Vape pens where batteries cannot be removed will not be accepted at the drug take back. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Residents are also reminded that a year-round collection bin is installed in the lobby of Westport police headquarters, where prescription drugs can be properly disposed of at any time rather than waiting for designated collection dates.