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by Angela Malizia  Update January 13th
A sneak preview of the wonderful new family film, Paddington, at the Avon Theatre in Stamford on Sunday, Jan. 11 raised more than $31,000 for the be homeful project to end family homeless before it begins. Read more here... Please join us on Sunday morning, January 11th, at The Avon Theater in Stamford for the exclusive special sneak preview of the new movie PADDINGTON! This event is sponsored by CT Coalition to End Homelessness and The Avon Theater for CCEH’s be homeful campaign to end family homelessness in Connecticut. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal will officially kick-off the be homeful campaign and introduce the Paddington movie. PURCHASE TICKETS here. View the OFFICIAL MOVIE TRAILER here. Paddington Bear is an iconic children’s book character who has been featured in an animated television series and more than 20 best selling books since 1958. The feature film will be released in U.S. theaters on January 16th. Paddington is a kind-hearted bear with a passion for marmalade sandwiches. Paddington has experienced homelessness and is the “spokesbear” for the "be homeful" project. Backyard Humanitarian is an all volunteer group in Stamford CT and we have joined the fight to end homelessness in our community. If you would like to be a part of our team please contact us via email at [email protected].
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by Angela Malizia  It's time for our "Meet the BH Team" Wednesday post. Today we feature Debbie Franco. Debbie is on the BH Management Team and has been an effective leader on many BH projects including the Soup Kitchen team & Hope in Motion team! Debbie's devotion, quiet strength and gentle way with helping others brings comfort to all who are near.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN PROJECT? Coat Drive 2010 WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING A BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN? I love being a Backyard Humanitarian because it provides an outlet to be able to help people. There will always be a need that needs to be met; and there will always be a giving heart somewhere waiting for the opportunity to meet that need. CAN YOU SHARE A SPECIAL BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN MOMENT OR EXPERIENCE? A special BH moment to me was when I first got involved with the serving food at the soup kitchen in 2011. I never realized how much I took for granted being able to have food every day at my disposal. There was a gentleman in line and he was grateful to be able to have a piece of fresh fruit. He took an apple from his tray and put it in his coat pocket to save. It moved me that he was making provision for later in the day. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY? Reading WHAT IS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO YOU ABOUT STAMFORD? My father was a police officer for over 22 years in Stamford. I have very fond memories of growing up here and listening to his stories of the different subdivisions in the city and watching it all evolve into what it is today. IN A WORD WHAT DOES BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN MEAN TO YOU? Unconditional. Although I must elaborate; unconditional because we give without expectation; we love wholeheartedly and we see the need and we meet it. We are a group of individuals with a built-in motive to help and want to give. We do this not for personal gain; however what we receive emotionally in return is far greater than we could imagine. by Angela Malizia  It's "MEET THE BH TEAM Wednesday!"
Meet one of Stamford's Kindest, Backyard Humanitarian, Tommy Yaggi who supports many projects including fighting hunger with us at the Soup Kitchen. His generosity and passion for helping others is strong he brings a cheerfulness to all the BH projects he helps with. 1. WHAT WAS YOUR 1ST BH PROJECT? Jesse Lewis Playground Build at West Beach. (Tommy donated, cooked & served delicious food off the grill to hundreds). 2. WHY and/or WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING A BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN? I like to be around caring, thoughtful people who can all take the time out of our busy lives to help those in need and to see the looks of gratitude on people's faces when you are serving them a hot meal. 3. CAN YOU SHARE A SPECIAL BH MOMENT OR EXPERIENCE? After the Playground build and at the dedication of the Jesse Lewis Playground. To meet Jesse's Mom and Dad and to see the outpouring of support from the community and the Whole BH team, shows me there is hope in this world and our community and how every little bit counts! 4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY? Cooking. 5. WHAT IS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO YOU ABOUT STAMFORD, CT? It's where I grew up. I like that you have the tranquility of The Falls (Off Riverbank Rd), to the amazing water views of our Beaches. 6. IN A WORD, WHAT DOES BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN MEAN TO YOU? HOPE! by Angela Malizia  Robyn has been with BH since the very beginning. She has been an inspiration to so many of us when it comes to BH work and what BH is. Robyn is part of the BH management team guiding the way for so many with her natural way of love & light.
1.WHAT WAS YOUR 1ST BH PROJECT? My first project was BH's first project, a coat drive (2010). 2. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING A BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN? I am so proud to say I am a Backyard Humanitarian. I love being a part of an amazing group of people, all with the same goal which is to help where it is needed. It has changed my life. 3. CAN YOU SHARE A SPECIAL BH MOMENT OR EXPERIENCE? There are many, but I always go back to the day that Angela and I met with a former US Marine. Someone had contacted us about him for Backyard Humanitarian's assistance. He was new to the area, living in one room in a housing complex which was only 10x10 and before that, he was living on the street. We put out the 'BH Call' that we had a veteran in need of gloves, socks, gift cards for food, basic necessities. Of course we were inundated with people wanting to help. So we collected the items from our amazing community and met with him and the man who introduced us to him at a local diner. We were so excited to give him everything. We handed him the gift cards and he was so grateful! Then we gave him a couple of pairs of gloves, a hat and some socks. He thanked us for the items and then proceeded to hand back one of the pairs of gloves, the hat and some of the socks. Confused, we told him they were for him and his answer was, "Thank you, but I already have a warm hat and one pair of gloves is plenty, I don't need two. Please give these extra items to someone else who could use them." It took me back...here is a man, a veteran, who fell on hard times and weeks before was living on the streets and he was content with what he had. It was a huge moment in my life. It really opened my eyes and made me realize having more of something isn't important, living a simpler life and appreciating what you already have is. He 'helped' me that day and he doesn't even know it. 4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY? Boating, working out, dancing, spending time with family & friends. 5. WHAT IS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO YOU ABOUT STAMFORD? I was born and raised in Stamford. My mother was too and so were her parents. My father was raised in Stamford after coming over from Italy. It has always been my home and as big of a city as it may be, in many ways it is still the small town it once was. It's the best of all worlds. 6. IN A WORD, WHAT DOES BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN MEAN TO YOU? Angelical. by Angela Malizia  Meet Paula, she has been a force of compassion & motivation for BH projects since she joined BH. She brings a playfulness to her work and joy to the people around her. She has lead projects including collections for warm coats and toiletries with amazing success!
1. WHAT WAS YOUR 1ST BH PROJECT? 1st BH Coat Drive 2010 2. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING A BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN? It feels good to do good! I always wanted to help people but didn't quite know how to begin. When I participated my 1st project, the BH Coat Drive, I realized that I was also in need. I was able to have an impact on someone's life and they in turn impacted mine. I became less materialistic. I felt more accomplished. I became an agent of change. After recruiting friends, co-workers, and people I had just met - I felt more proud. Not only have I reconnected with old friends, I have gained some new, life-long friends. I've also been able to have my family volunteer and instill these values into the children. 3. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY? Cooking 4. IN A WORD, WHAT DOES BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN MEAN TO YOU? Progress |
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