Mission & Service

Our Mission & Service program is devoted to a wide range of local, national, and international projects. These projects include on-going, hands-on participation in the Norwalk Manna House of Hospitality (where homeless and others can obtain a free meal). Our members prepare and serve Sunday dinner eight times a year. We are also active in building homes in the Bridgeport area with Habitat for Humanity.

Our next volunteer days at the Manna House of Hospitality (Norwalk Soup Kitchen) are Sundays, September 7 & September 14, 2008. Look for details over the summer.

For Adults and Teens - Here's the latest update from Jim Lyle on -

Habitat for Humanity

Dear Fellow Habitaters,

When Robert Burns wrote, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry," he may have had Habitat in mind.

This summer's long awaited Blitz Build - our ninth Habitat home - is going to be a longer wait. Due to delays getting building approvals in Bridgeport, the excavation work is delayed and so is the schedule. So the Helen Street Habitat "Blitz Build" is being pushed back from mid-July to Monday, August 18 through Saturday, August 23. That takes us closer to "Back to School/Off to College" time. Wilton schools start on Monday, August 25. But that's the hand we were dealt.

If there's a positive note here, it's that our intrepid Youth Mission crew, working this week in sunny Gulfport, Mississippi, will have six weeks to rest up and join us for Blitz Week.

So mark August 18-23 on your calendars. You can start getting back to me with your avails anytime.

Helen Street will be our first official "Green" project too. The construction style will be different and trend-setting for Habitat. The techniques and practices we implement on this home are likely to become standards for future Bridgeport area Habitat homes. Among other features, Helen Street have a south-facing roof covered with solar photovoltaic panels, courtesy of WCC's solar saint, Ron "The Juice Man" French. And the walls will be constructed of 2x6" studs instead of the usual two 2x4"s, allowing more insulation. The home will have a longer porch, lower roof overhangs and more. We'll list more details in upcoming emails.

The one thing we won't skimp on is all the love we build into every Habitat home.

In other Habitat news, we owe thanks to our great crew of Silver Lake volunteers. Braving a hot and sweaty Saturday in early June, they built the admin building steps, did more work on the ramp to the composting toilet, and tore down two old cabins, one with a great assist from gravity.

Led by our dynamic duo the co-captains of carpentry, Ian Tesar and Dexter Below, the Wilton crew proved once again why we are one of the favorite groups to volunteer at Silver Lake Camp.

Rounding out the team on Saturday, June 7 were Peter Burger, Lance Lilquvist, Kevin Murray, Monique Kosar, Jim Lyle, assisted by Sound Coalition partner Dave Kingsbury and his sister (a one-time Silver Lake counselor) and WCC friends Kathleen Vereeken, Hal Clark, Paul Snayd, and Jeff Butler.

And this Saturday, June 28, Annie Lopez, our delightful homeowner at 1235 Kossuth, is throwing a "thank you" Celebration barbecue in honor of all the Sound Coalition members, Bridgeport firemen and Habitat staff who worked on her home. She has
even invited the homeowners from our previous Sound Coalition homes to join the festivities.

The event at Annie's home is from 3-7 pm. A few of us are attending, so let me know if you'd like to join us.

In closing don't forget to write the new Blitz Build dates (Aug. 18-23) on your calendars.

Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat. And say a prayer for the safe return from Gulfport of our 100+ Youth Mission trip heroes.

All the best, Jim

We're a little more than a week away from setting the GPS units for Sharon, CT as we head north for another great day at UCC's Silver Lake Camp on Saturday, June 7.

First, however, thanks go to last Saturday's Habitat crew - Keith Shoemaker, Jim Meinhold, Gil Bray and Kathleen Vereeken - who joined some WHS students on the Williams Street townhouse rehab project.

For once brains and even lasers were the order of the day, as the group struggled to align base and top plates inside the century old brick exterior walls. The group consensus: the last time those walls were plumb, Benjamin Harrison was in the White House and Grover Cleveland was plotting his return.

At Silver Lake the lasers will stay in the toolbox. Our co-captains of carpentry, Ian Tesar and Dexter Below, have laid out an ambitious day's work: finishing the front porch at the admin building and completing the ramp and railing to the camp's composting toilet.

Now that's what the "Construction" team will do. As for the rest of us on "Deconstruction" detail, we'll take down at least one and maybe two 1920s era cabins.

So check your calendars and let us know if you can join us for another day in bucolic Litchfield County. We'll follow the same schedule as last year and meet at WCC at 8 AM (PLEASE PARK IN OLD TOWN HALL LOT)and travel up in a car caravan. The camp's cook staff will serve another great lunch. We'll have lots of snacks and beverages during the day.

Weather permitting, a dip in Silver Lake might be a great way to end a hot and sweaty workday. Note that proper bathing attire is required. We don't want to scare the campers or the wildlife.

A few of you have already indicated you'll join us on June 7, but we need a lot more. Look at your calendars and let us know if you can come up for the day.

Finally, you've heard me extol the Habitat dividend of Wilton adults and teens sharing a good day of community giveback.

Last summer, prompted by an email outreach by Steve Bell, WCC teen member Brooke Flanagan contacted me about working the Blitz Build on Kossuth Street. She and her sister Lindsey joined me for a day and proved their ability at tackling hard work. I came away with a real appreciation of what great young people we have in the Flanagan sisters.

Yesterday Wilton women's lacrosse team took the FCIAC crown with a win over New Canaan. A star performer in that Warrior effort (three goals, one assist) was our very own Brooke Flanagan.

So as you plan for our Silver Lake workday, try to find a teen to bring along for the day. You never know when you might end up working with an exemplary Wilton teen like Brooke.

A deluge of news forces a change in the format of this Habitat announcement. We'll temporarily depart from our usual long-winded, sometimes soporific, missive and get round down to business.

From the Habitat Desk: Our Saturday, May 24 workday is all set in terms of WCC volunteers. Habitat for Humanity CFC has asked us to limit our total number to 12 volunteers. Since we have a good turnout of high schoolers, many of whom are seniors reporting for their last Habitat workday, we don't need any more hands this Saturday.

From the Silver Lake Desk: We are set for a large contingent to travel to bucolic Sharon, CT on Saturday, June 7 for a full day of Construction/Deconstruction at Silver Lake Camp. Remember the porches at the Admin Building that weren't complete last year? Under the guidance of our two masters of woodworking, Ian Tesar and Dexter Below, part of our team will tackle the completion of the porch.

Another team will work on the final touches to the ramps leading to the Big Blue Composting Machine (aka the environmentally friendly camp toilet). By the time we leave Big Blue should be ready for a season of campers to put it through its paces. Contributions from WCC volunteers will be welcome.

For those bent on deconstruction, we'll take down another cabin or two. And Brigitta has promised to rustle up another bat this year. You'll want to show up to see if she can keep her record intact.

From the Blitz Build Desk: Our Sound Coalition met two weeks ago to set the Blitz Build dates for our next project, the Big Green House Machine (note the color themes working here) on Helen Street, just a stone's throw from the old warehouse.

The Blitz Build is set to run the week of July 14-19, Monday through Saturday. Not only will this home be built with panels of 2 X 6 construction for extra insulation, the south facing roof of this home will be covered with solar panels to supply much of the home's electrical needs. This will be a real Green House Machine!
Habitat Worker

We'll observe green building standards too: minimizing excess material use, recycling as much as possible, and composing any uneaten donuts.

The roof panels for this home will be donated by Wilton Congregational's own solar saint, Ron French. Just as he recently donated panels for a portion of the high school roof, with the electrical cost savings recycled into a scholarship in memory of his dear wife, Sherry. Ron is giving these panels to Habitat at no charge for installation on this home. Can we find a better man anywhere than our Ron French?

More details will follow on Blitz Build week. But start warehousing those vacation days.

From the Trans-Fat Desk: At a recent Saturday morning opening, one of the guests was the Dunkin' Donut franchise owner for the immediate Bridgeport area. Not only did he bring tons of the sweet round treats our volunteers find so irresistible, he promised to provide donuts for every Saturday workday for the rest of the year. Just watch our volunteer numbers skyrocket!

From the Memorial Desk: As many of you know, Timothy "Timmer" Wood, a Wilton High graduate and Drum Hill resident, died on April 2 in a tragic accident, just 24 years into a life of promise and hope. His parents asked that donations be made in his memory to Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County. To date over $6,400.00 has arrived in his memory. One caller to Habitat even inquired as to how a home might be donated in his name. The sheer sadness of his loss has turned into an unexpected blessing at Habitat.

That's the all news. Check your calendars for the June 7 trip up to Silver Lake. And pencil in a few days for our Blitz Build in mid-July.

March 17, 2008

Dear Fellow Habitaters-

Spring's first green shoots are popping up, the tree buds are forming, and the final Spring appearance of the Wilton Swarm - our much vaunted combination of Wilton Congregational members working side by side with the Wilton High Habitat Club - is fast approaching.

Saturday, March 29 will be the last day this school year we take Wilton's combo team to Bridgeport. So look at your calendars and let's hear if you will be joining us. You don't want those construction skills to get too rusty after a few winter months off.

Finally, this message would not be complete without acknowledging the enormous contribution our outgoing Associate Pastor Diane Stevenson made to our Habitat efforts over the past four years.

I like to think Diane's Habitat experience contributed to her confidence to travel to Honduras with our Adult Missions group. She and husband Barney and their children all pitched in on various Blitz Build and Saturday workdays.

More importantly Diane officiated at many Habitat Groundbreakings on Wilton Congregational's behalf. She followed up by participating at the Habitat Homeowner Dedication ceremonies at many of those same homes.

One dedication provided a classic memory. After a particularly spirited reading at the dedication of our second Agreste Terrace duplex, Diane mingled with the volunteers and guests from the various Sound Coalition churches who were enjoying the post-dedication food and camaraderie.

Turning to one of the attendees, our always reliable volunteer, Mike Rieser, a man famous for spending more Saturdays at Habitat than Sundays at church, she asked, "And what congregation do you belong to?”

In a sheepish voice Mike replied, "Yours."

Diane's enthusiastic support of Habitat on all levels including the Missions Board will be deeply missed.

Let's hear from you regarding March 29. Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

All the best,

Jim

Email Jim to ask questions or let him know you'll join the crew.

The crew meets at the church parking lot at 8:00 a.m. to carpool. (Note: During our church's expansion project, the carpool location is subject to change.)

Do you believe we change lives with the homes we gift to our Habitat families? Here's further proof.

Below is the email I received from Habitat's wonderful family coordinator, Iris Taylor. At my request she called Annie (Antonia) Lopez to find out how the family enjoyed Christmas in their new home.

You can't make up wonderful outcomes like this: Every hour we spend in the scorching sun or the bitter cold is such a small sacrifice when measured by how much good we accomplish and how contagious our efforts become.

Our next Habitat workday is Saturday, February 9 when we'll join the WHS Habitat Club in a workday in Bridgeport. Mark your calendars and let me know if you can join us. Email Jim Lyle for more information or to sign up.

On Saturday, December 2, our latest Habitat home at 1235 Kossuth Street in Bridgeport was officially dedicated.

Thanks to the days so many of you worked during this summer's hot "Blitz Build" and the several Saturdays this Fall, Annie Lopez and her two children will awaken Christmas morning in their new home, starting their new lives as homeowners.

At the end of the dedication Annie surprised the Sound Coalition members with the gift of a plaque commemorating our work on her home. We'll have it on display at Wilton Congregational for the next few weeks.

Now one of the great joys of Habitat is working side-by-side with our "Wilton Swarm" partners, the Wilton High Habitat Club members led by our own Steve Bell.

As many of you are conversant in numbers and know a good growth story when you see one, look at the information below Steve sent me. Passionate math instructor that he is, Steve keeps careful records of the workdays the Club members accumulate during the year.

Just look at the increase in participation this past Fall. Now in its third year, the Habitat Club is clearly gathering momentum. In fact Steve has had to institute a cut-off date so the attendees don't overwhelm the transportation and workload capacities at Habitat.

This is another example of the way Habitat changes lives: our local high school students, our homeowners, and our own.

This coming Saturday, December 15, is our final workday of the year. Many of you have holiday obligations and that's understandable, but if you can join us, please do. A few of you have already indicated you'll be there.

Finally all the hard work many of you contributed to our Kossuth project is deeply appreciated.

Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat. May you and your families have wonderful holidays.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity or to join this week’s crew, please email Jim Lyle

Saturday's final workday at 1235 Kossuth -- and 575 Gregory -- proved beyond a doubt that the Wilton Swarm has no equals among the volunteer groups at Bridgeport Habitat. A crew of 14 Wilton Congregational members and "friends" along with 34 Wilton High Habitat club members knocked off a week's assignments in a mere six hours.

The day's most challenging problem was the logistics of getting so many WHS Habitat Club members up to Bridgeport for the day. Now THAT's what you call a quality problem.

At 1235 Kossuth, with the dedication of Annie Lopez' dream home just 14 days away, our crews tackled the front porch overhang, installed foam board under the first floor joists, spackled all the joints and nail holes in the house, removed rocks, debris and brush from the yard, added some much needed fill dirt in spots and looked on as our Monroe Congregational Coalition partners constructed a storage shed for Annie and her family.

At 575 Gregory, where a dedication took place that day, the teams cleaned up the yard and got the house totally cleaned up and prepped in time for the afternoon ceremony.

Thanks go to our beloved Captain of Carpentry Ian Tesar, Gil Bray, Ernie Krehbiel, Kevin Murray, Mike "The Manhattanite Who Enjoys the Drive to Bridgeport To Do Habitat" Rieser, Greg and Liza Rodiger, Jim Meinhold, Jim Lyle and great friends Evan Crane and Paul Snayd.

Mid-morning we were joined by Wilton Selectman Hal Clark, who showed up with donuts and coffee. Talk about your terrific political instincts!

Over at 575 Gregory our intrepid Habitat Club leader, Steve Bell, was joined by Nancy Toll and those wonderful Habitat Club members.

Mark your calendar for the dedication of 1235 Kossuth on Saturday, December 1 at 1:00 p.m. All of you are invited to attend this most joyous occasion and feel free to bring a friend of family member.

I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Take pride in the fact that due to your volunteer efforts, Annie Lopez and her two children will celebrate this coming Christmas in their own home -- three lives changed forever. Thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

While it's hard to believe this Saturday's Habitat workday will be our last one at Annie Lopez' dream home, that's what the Habitat staff is telling us.

The dedication is set for Saturday, December 1 at 1:00 p.m. and of course all of you are invited. Less than three weeks later, Annie and her children will move in, plenty of time for Christmas.

So this Saturday, November 17, will be the final stretch for the Wilton Swarm---interior painting, door and floor moldings, completion of the front porch and lots of yard work. There will be plenty of work to go around, with a task for every skill set. And of course we'll have Steve Bell and the Wilton High Habitat Club working alongside us.

Let's hear from you. We already have a good crew lining up. What could be better than to sit down at Thanksgiving dinner, knowing you'd help put the final touches on a home that will change a family's life forever?

The postman has nothing on the Wilton Swarm when it comes to braving wind and rain!

Our teams of WCC volunteers and Wilton High Habitat Club members gave as good as any at TWO Habitat homes on a very windy and rainy Saturday, October 27.

WCC's Steve Bell led his WHS Club as they primed the entire interior at our Kossuth Street project house. Despite the wind-driven rain, five club members sloshed around in the yard and spread soil and moved rocks.

Meanwhile, a second WCC group ventured over to 575 Gregory Street for a three story attack on new home in a community west of the river and south of I-95 adjacent to the University of Bridgeport. There, a team led by our Other Captain of Carpentry, Dexter Below, installed luan flooring on the second floor. Giving him much needed help were Ernie Krehbiel, WCC friend Paul Snayd, Gil Bray and Jim Meinhold. (The latter two won their respective offices in Tuesday's election, proving once again there's something to the Habitat mystique!)

Downstairs Lance Liljeqvist led another team installing luan in the kitchen. Below them, in the crawl space, Keith Shoemaker, Ross Tartell, and Mike Tartell braved standing water and tight spaces to install insulation under the first floor joists. And out in the front yard a group of WHS students worked with me to clean up the front landscaping and remove debris.

Our Habitat Construction VP, Keith Cook, sent a congratulatory email the following Monday, saying "the Wilton Swarm did a great job...in unbearable weather."

Now we're just 10 days from heading back to Bridgeport for one of our last workdays on Annie Lopez' dream home on Kossuth.

Check your calendars and see if you can join us on Saturday, November 17. There will be lots of painting, woodwork, and more to get the home ready for a December move-in.

Let's hear from you before all the good jobs are taken. And thanks as always for your continuing support of Habitat.

Opportunities for Youth...

June 22 - 29, 2008

Space is still available. Send in your forms and payment to sign up!

Our team will be traveling to Mississippi's Gulf Coast to work for a week in Gulfport. While there, we will be repairing hurricane-damaged homes and working to prepare houses for future storms. We'll also provide daily activities for local children. Read more on our Youth Mission page.

Dear Jim, Thanks for complimenting the kids so nicely. Below is WHS Habitat Club attendance info that you asked for:
2005-2006 Work Date & Number of Kids	2006-2007 Work Date & Number of Kids	2007-2008 Work Date & Number of Kids
09/24 - 18 10/29 - 19 11/19 - 15 01/21 - 23 02/25 - 21 03/25 -0 9 04/22 - 15	09/23 - 21 10/28 - 11 11/18 - 17 12/09 - 20 03/24 - 27 04/28 - 13	09/29 - 34 10/27 - 24 11/17 - 31 12/15 - 02/09 - 03/29 -
2005-06 TOTAL - 120 student-days 49 different kids attending = avg of 2.44 workdays/kid	2006-07 TOTAL - 109 student-days 48 different kids attending = avg of 2.27 workdays/kid
(note: numbers do not include chaperones which I estimate to be about 7 adults per workday). Steve

Mission & Service

Opportunities for Adults...

For Adults and Teens - Here's the latest update from Jim Lyle on -

Habitat for Humanity

Opportunities for Youth...

June 22 - 29, 2008

Space is still available. Send in your forms and payment to sign up!