Backyard Humanitarian
  • Home
  • VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
    • BEACH & PARK CLEANUPS
    • EMERGENCY RESPONSE
    • FOOD DRIVE
    • Food Pantry
    • KINDEST KIDS
    • SOUP KITCHEN
    • STARFISH SQUAD
    • HYGENE ITEMS DRIVE
    • VETERANS
    • Summer Food Drive for Zion Church Pantry
  • Community Partners 2018
    • Community Partners 2010-2107
  • BH Blog & News
  • Appreciation
  • Kind Words
  • Backyard Humanitarians
  • About
  • Press & MEDIA
  • REACH OUT TO US

2015

JAN
1/10-BH Meals & Music at the NCH Soup Kitchen
1/11-Ending Homelessness event with CCEH - Paddington Movie premiere
Starfish Squad - Homeless emergency shelter, food, warm clothing, necessity items
On call BH Team Storm - Blizzard Warning, Prepare with Red Cross

FEB
2/14-BH Meals & Music at the NCH Soup Kitchen + Toiletry Drive Donations
2/1 to 2/14-Toiletry Drive 

2/1-Warm Blanket Drive for Shelter for the Homeless

MARCH
3/1-Warm Blanket Drive (Shelter for the Homeless)
3/14-BH Meals at the Soup Kitchen
3/30-Prepare for Helmet Drive

APRIL
4/20-Helmet Drive Training
4/25-Timothy Coppola Bicycle Helmet Giveaway w/SPA - Training & Event

MAY
5/2-Jesse Lewis Playground Cleanup at West Beach
5/17-VFW Post 9617 Flag Planting - St. John's & Woodland Cemetery
5/17-Yardcare Cleanup - Eva's Gardening Project
5/30-Supporting Josh & Tyler Memorial Fund Co-Ed Softball Tourney


JUNE
6/7-Hope In Motion
6/13-Stamford Summer Concert
Summer Food Drive for Zion Church Food Pantry

JULY

No Projects
AUGUST
No Projects

SEPT
Winter Coat Drive Begins
Hands for Life 2015

OCT & NOV
Coat Drive
Collections for Stamford, Easton & Newtown, CT and New Bern, NC
(Collection locations in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Bethel, Newtown and New Bern, NC)

DEC
12/4 - Coat Giving - Davenport Ridge Elementary School
12/6 - Toiletries for U.S. Veterans at Rocky Hill Veterans Home & Hospital with VFW 
12/7- Cards for Veterans Davenport Ridge 3rd Graders
12/7 & 12/11 -Visiting US Veterans & Care Packages (West Haven & Rocky Hill VA)
12/1- Toys for Teens with Stamford Firefighters
​
2015 - Wrap up, Thank You letters, emails & certificates. 
This year Backyard Humanitarian Team WISH
is supporting the Stamford Firefighter's Toy Drive. 

TOYS ARE BEING COLLECTED AT THE FIRE STATIONS IN STAMFORD.


How you can help: Donate your time, a toy or an idea.

​Toys for all ages are being accepted but we are focusing on the age group 12 & up.

You can suggest ideas for gifts of this age, give a new unwrapped present or you can help us wrap them! 

These are for kids at the hospital, at the shelters and any kid in need in our city.

GIVE:
Toys are being accepted at Stamford Firestations for kids of all ages in Stamford.
For our part - BH Team's main mission is - 
Gifts for TEENS - 12 and up!
In past years, there have been fewer gifts for the older kids/teens & more than enough toys for the little ones.
We want to make sure all kids have a Merry Christmas!

WRAP: Date to be determined.
Backyard Humanitarians are helping the firefighters with wrapping of toys - all ages.
​Email us to join our Santa's workshop team of BH elves.

Email BackyardHumanitarian@gmail.com to get involved.
Want to lead/help coordinate. Please let us know.

Learn more about the event here - 

http://www.stamfordfire.com/2014/12/21/spff-members-begin-helping-santa-distribute-presents-to-children-in-need/

VISITING VETERANS IN CONNECTICUT

Picture
We are supporting VFW / Archie Elam in helping Veterans in Connecticut.
We are visiting and also helping with toiletry gift bags. You are invited to join us!
If you can't visit, we will be setting more visits up in 2016 so please check back with us.
Shampoo is still needed for the gift bags we are bringing on Friday 12/11.


SHAMPOO IS STILL NEEDED - PLEASE DONATE BY DECEMBER 9TH
If you'd like to join this mission please drop off shampoo to 
SPRINGDALE FLORIST
28 Camp Ave, Stamford, CT.


Visiting Locations in Connecticut are 
12/7 6:30 pm - West Haven VA
12/11 6:30 pm- Rocky HIll VA 

We are visting our veterans and we want to make sure veterans know we care this holiday season and always with care packages and thank you cards.

VISIT:
Would you like to personally thank a veteran or spend time meeting with them and sharing your smile and company.
We are also planning to join this visiting program with Archie Elam at the CT VA.
Here is the link for visiting WEST HAVEN, CT.

The visit is Monday, December 7at 6:30pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/1530792793879115/

Rocky HIll visit is December 11th at 6:30 pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/738444792965907/

VOLUNTEER:
ORGANIZE & PUT TOGETHER GIFT BAGS that are ready to go / items donated by VFW
We will just help pack the bags. 12/6/15 - UPDATE- this part of the project is complete!




Backyard Humanitarian Coat Drive 2015
COAT COLLECTIONs & PUBLIC LOCATIONS - CONNECTICUT
​Now until November 6, 2015


​BH Team Chill Team Leaders in Connecticut:
​STAMFORD: Robyn, NEWTOWN: Paula, EASTON: Joseph
We will be donating the coats directly and immediately to individuals, families and various organizations who work with people in need in Stamford. If you need a coat, send a request to us via email.


COATS GOING TO:
​

STAMFORD, CT - Stamford's Kindest
New Neighborhoods
Women's Mentoring Network


NEWTOWN, CT - Newtown's Kindest
(for Newtown Food Pantry)

EASTON, CT  - Easton's Kindest
(for Easton Senior Center & Bridgeport Rescue Mission)

THIS LIST WILL BE UPDATED AND ADDED ON TO AS MORE COATS COME IN!




BETHEL, CT
Bethel Fitness
120 Greenwood Ave
Bethel, CT

10% off a massage or personal training session!

DARIEN, CT

Crescendo Music
351 Post Road

Darien, CT

​Palmer's Market
264 Heights Road
Darien, CT 06820
www.palmersmarket.com


GREENWICH, CT

Higgins Group Real Estate - HQ
279 Sound Beach Ave

Old Greenwich, CT
​
NEW CANAAN, CT


Fitness For Your Cause

NEWTOWN, CT

Newtown Hardware Store
61 Church Hill Road
Newtown, CT

​
NORWALK, CT

Spark's Sports Grill Restaurant
280 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT
$1 off draft beer! 



PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

Boy Scouts of America Troop 11
​CooperSurgical - Trumbull, CT
HUB International - Fairfield, CT

ICON International - Stamford, CT
Freepoint Commodities - Stamford, CT
Girl Scouts Troop 50009 Norwalk CT
Weston Moms - Weston, CT

Davenport Ridge Elementary School
​(5th Graders SOARing & leading "Davenport's Kindest")
J.M. Wright Technical High School
RFR International - Stamford, CT
​The Mead School




STAMFORD, CT

Bella Invitations
1200 High Ridge Rd. 2nd Floor
Stamford, CT

​
Bethany Church
2 Scofieldtown Road
Stamford, CT

CITY OF STAMFORD
Dept of Health & Social Services
888 Washington Blvd 9th Floor
Stamford, CT


High Ridge Printing & Copy Center
1009 High Ridge Road

Stamford, CT

Higgins Group Real Estate
27 Strawberry Hill Ave.

Stamford, CT
​​
​Italian Center
1620 Newfield Ave

Stamford, CT

Olio Restaurant,
934 Hope Street
Stamford CT
Free glass of wine!


Splash Car Wash
649 Hope Street
Stamford, CT 

​St. Andrews Episcopal Church
1231 Washington Blvd
Stamford, CT


William Raveis Real Estate
1022 Long Ridge Road
Stamford, CT


​

Backyard Humanitarian Coat Drive 2015
COAT COLLECTION LOCATIONS - NORTH CAROLINA
​Now until November 6, 2015

NEW BERN, NC

​Girlfriendz Salon

2713 Neuse Blvd
New Bern, NC

Centenary United Methodist Church
309 New Street 
New Bern, NC
This coat drive is a community wide effort. It takes the kind hearts of many to help as many as we can in our own backyard! We have many groups who joined our mission of keeping others warm. They are collecting with friends, family & colleagues and many locations have opened their doors to put a collection box where the public can drop off coats.
​THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!

2015 COAT DRIVE PHOTO ALBUM

Picture



 
Mario's Professional Cleaners our Backyard Humanitarian community partner for this coat drive for the 6th year in a row is offering a generous discount for cleaning coats at huge discount - of $5 per coat!
Mario's Professional Cleaners
929 Hope Street
Stamford, CT 06907




​We are collecting brand new or like brand new extra warm heavy winter coats to keep others warm in our community this winter! All sizes are needed for children, men & women.  We ask that all coats be warm, clean and ready to wear.
Coats will be given directly and immediately to anyone who needs one.
​

A warm coat can mean so much! You can share a gently used coat you have from your closet or purchase a new coat for someone who needs one.

​HOW YOU CAN HELP!
  • Donate a coat
  • Host your own drive
  • Be a collection location
  • Volunteer; help coordinate, pick up, deliver, sort and/or give​

WHERE ARE THE COATS GOING?
So far...
​We are helping to keep people warm in Stamford, CT, Newtown, CT and New Bern, NC

Stamford - Multiple locations including; Individuals & families in need.
Organizations: New Neighborhoods, Women's Mentoring Network
Newtown CT - Newtown Social Services for the people of Newtown, CT.
Easton, CT - Easton Senior Center & Bridgeport Rescue Mission - 
New Bern, NC - Religious Community Services - Rocky Run Church, people of New Bern and South Carolina Flood victims.


​

WARM WINTER COAT DRIVE 2015
"Be Cool, Keep Someone Warm"
6th ANNUAL WARM WINTER COAT DRIVE
Now until November 6, 2015

Camp Promise East & The Jett Foundation
Now through June 15th.

Backyard Humanitarians are raising awareness about this opportunity to help kids with muscular dystrophy in Connecticut to go to summer camp. We join BH friend James Lacerenza to support this, spread the word and give these kids the fun summer they deserve! 

About the program:
The only camp that exclusively serves kids and adults with muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular disorders. A program of the Jett Foundation, we welcome campers of all ages (age 6 and above) from New England & the Tri-State area. Please help us make camp a reality for everyone!

Camp Promise-East 2015 will be held in Worcester, PA. Camp Promise - East will take pl
ace from July 13-18, 2015. Campers will arrive on the morning of July 13rd, and pick-up will be on the morning of July 18th. Camper applications will be available on www.camppromise.org in the beginning of March.

Fundraising Dates and Locations in the Backyard Humanitarian "home base" area: (Fairfield County, CT)
Subway in Stamford Town Center and Carvel of Stamford on West Main Street - donation boxes through June 1, 2015

ONLINE DONATIONS  
Links:

1. http://bitly.com/cpe2015 
Jett Foundation
Kingston, MA
EIN: 04-3563445

2. Via wwww.camppromise.org (on that website, be sure to click on the donation page setup for Camp Promise East)

All donations are tax-deductible and every dollar truly makes a difference. It is only with your support that we are able to offer camp FREE of charge to all of our campers.

Information about volunteer opportunities at the camp site are online at www.camppromise.org  
​

The Stamford Summer Music Festival
The History of Rock
At Mill River Park
June 13, 2015
12 Noon to 10pm

The Stamford Summer Music Festival
June 13th Mill River Park, Stamford, CT
The History of Rock!

The Backyard Humanitarian Team will volunteer at the Stamford Music Festival! This is for a great cause for Stamford - The Joseph Roberts Senior Music Foundation.
Join us!


The Stamford Summer Music Festival will go from 12 noon to 10pm. Backyard Humanitarians will choose shifts on that day they'd like to volunteer for (the amount of time that works for you).



Event jobs 
-BH Team Leaders / Planning Team
-Setup
-BH Volunteer Check in/shirts
-Event Check-in / Admission
-Servers (wine & beer)
-Maint/Cleaning
-Stage Crew

Bouncy House & Slide
-Ambassadors

"The Joseph Roberts Senior Music Foundation has been created to facilitate and enhance the support of Stamford's musical community. In partnership with The Palace Theater, we have created a music enhancement program that is a scholarship based school year long activity for deserving, dedicated students from grades 4-8 that includes one on one and group instruction from Stamford resident teaching professionals in music theory, instrument training and live music performance."

We are working to with Mario Socci & Tom Nastasi from the JRSM Foundation to help with their event.

All BH volunteers for this event must register, have a BH application completed & sign up via official sign up link coming soon.
Email: Volunteer@backyardhumanitarian.org

To get on the BH Team email list & stay in the loop - email us w/the subject I want to be on the Summer Music Festival Team
​

Hands For Life 2015

Backyard Humanitarian is a proud supporter of Hands For Life!

Hands For Life is training residents in Fairfield County in Hands-Only CPR and in the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs)!


Would you like to be a Backyard Humanitarian and volunteer for this great community project? You are invited to volunteer for this very important cause in Stamford, CT!

The goal is to make Stamford and neighboring towns the safest communities for cardiac arrest in Connecticut. This effort will also include education about heart disease and will improve the understanding of risk factors in order to enhance the overall health of our local community.


Please visit this website for more details!  Handsforlife.org

Hands For Life is committed to training residents of Stamford and Fairfield County in Hands-Only CPR and in the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), at the same time increasing access to AEDs.

Backyard Humanitarian Volunteers are needed at each of the school-based events to train faculty and students. They also hope that all volunteers will be able to attend the event on Saturday, 26th September at Westhill High School where we hope to train over 10,000 patients, families, friends, cousins and strangers.


Here are the dates

Friday, September 18th
7:30am-10:30am – Rippowam Middle School, 381 High Ridge Rd, Stamford, CT 06905
11:15am-2:15pm – Academy of Information Technology and Engineering, 411 High Ridge Rd, Stamford, CT 06905

Monday, September 21st
7:30am-10:30am – Cloonan Middle School, 11 W North Street, Stamford, CT 06902
11:30am-2:30pm – Dolan School, 51 Toms Road, Stamford, CT 06906

Tuesday, September 22nd
7:30am-10:30am – Stamford High School, 55 Strawberry Hill, Stamford, CT 06902
10:30am-2:00pm – Stamford High School, 55 Strawberry Hill, Stamford, CT 06902

Thursday, September 24th
8:00am-11:00am – Turn of River Middle School, 117 Vine Road, Stamford, CT 06905
12:00am-3:00pm – Scofield Magnet Middle School, 641 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT 06903

Friday, September 25th
7:30am-10:30am – Westhill High School, 125 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT 06902
10:30am-2:00pm – Westhill High School, 125 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT 06902

Saturday, September 26th
9:00am-12:00pm – Westhill High School, 125 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT 06902
12:00pm-3:00pm – Westhill High School, 125 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT 06902






Hope In Motion Walk/Run/Ride- Team Backyard Humanitarian
for the Stamford Hospital Bennett Cancer Center
June 7, 2015

Hope In Motion 2015 Walk/Run/Ride for the Stamford Hospital Bennett Cancer Center.

JOIN TEAM BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN
http://support.stamfordhospitalfoundation.org/site/TR/Events/HOPEINMOTION_Walk_15/188161390?pg=team&fr_id=1040&team_id=1540#.VVttVEJJWjA

CAPTAINS:
Debbie Franco - participants
Shirley Jaworski - volunteers

Please let us know your interest or if you have questions. Post here or email - volunteer@backyardhumanitarian.org.

Learn more about the event - 
http://support.stamfordhospitalfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HopeInMotion_General_HubPage

Flag Planting with VFW Post 9617
May 16th, 2015 8am

This is a great event for families to volunteer together.

Backyard Humanitarians will join the VFW Post 9617 on
Armed Forces Day to help with planting flags on the graves of Stamford veterans who have died in honor and remembrance of their service. Our work will take place at St. John's & Woodland Cemetery, Stamford, CT.

VFW Post 9617 - http://www.vfwpost9617.org/
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/VFW-Post-9617/113108948732241

Archie Elam - West Point graduate and Gulf War veteran
American “Flag Code” calls for the “right” as the position of honor developed from the time when the right hand was the “weapon hand” or “point of danger.” The right hand, raised without a weapon, was a sign of peace. The right hand, to any observer, is the observer’s left. Therefore, as used in the Flag Code, the flag and/or blue field is displayed to the observer’s left, which is the flag’s “own right,” according to the U.S. American Legion.

As such, the flag is placed to the left of the headstone. “It’s a derivative of federal law – when a flag is displayed, it should be over your right shoulder,” -Archie Elam

ARMED FORCES DAY:
Created in 1949 to honor Americans serving in the five U.S. military branches – the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May.

TIMOTHY COPPOLA BICYCLE HELMET GIVEAWAY 
April 25, 2015
WITH THE STAMFORD POLICE ASSOCIATION

UPDATE - Project completed. More than 60 Backyard Humanitarians volunteered and more approx 1,000 helmets given.

Please join us to volunteer for the Stamford Police Assoc Timothy Coppola Bicycle Helmet Giveaway. They have given more than 25,000 helmets away in 20 years!  This event can save lives. Email volunteer@backyardhumanitarian.org to get your application.

VOLUNTEER on Event Day
Backyard Humanitarians will set up the event, manage the line, size and fit kids for helmets. Training is provided the week before the event for those measuring & fitting.

Setup: 7am - 8:45 am
Event: 9am -12 pm (Line setup/management, Measuring, Fitting)
Close: 12 pm - 12: 30 pm

SPONSOR:
You can sponsor of this event. Your company name and logo will appear on all promotional material. Flyers are sent to over 10,000 people in Stamford.
DONATE:
Your tax deductible donations can help buy more helmets. Donate directly to the the Stamford Police Association. 
About Timothy Coppola:
Glen and Peggy Coppola started
the bike helmet giveaway in 1995 after the death of their only child. Timothy died at the age of 10 after riding his bike without a helmet. Timothy suffered a traumatic brain injury after colliding with a car on Aug. 30, 1992 while riding his bike. The Roxbury second-grader succumbed 22 months later. The accident occurred less than 300 feet from their home. Timothy always wore a helmet except that one time.


This is our 5th year helping with this event. Our team has helped to set up and fit almost 5,000 kids.
email us: volunteer@backyardhumanitarian.org to get your application!

VOLUNTEER WITH BACKYARD HUMANITARIAN - Facebook event to share & discuss.



Backyard Humanitarian
Warm Blanket Drive
Feb/March 2015


It's freezing cold in Stamford CT
Those less fortunate are struggling to stay warm
We want to help get a warm blanket to anyone who needs one. 

Blankets will be given as soon as they come in.

Please donate a New or Like New, Clean, Large, Very Warm Blanket or Comforter

Public Drop Off Locations

E. Gaynor Brennan Golf Course
WGCH 1490 AM - Mary Anne's Italian Hour
William Raveis
Higgins Group
Olio Restaurant

Thank you to our Supporters!

Toquam Magnet Elementary School
St. Leo's Church
Prime Resources, Inc.
Fitness For Your Cause w/Michele Ayoub

Press on our Project!

STAMFORD PATCH 

Backyard Humanitarian Toiletries Drive 
Stamford, CT
January & February 2015

Picture
Feb 19, 2015 UPDATE - Our Toiletry Drive is complete and was a great success! We were able to put together about 175 personal bags. We gave to guests at the soup kitchen on Valentine's Day and we also gave to 2 homeless shelters in Stamford. Thanks to all who joined in this great effort!

Backyard Humanitarians and friends are helping our Stamford neighbors in need with these important necessities. You can join by donating 
an item or two or having your own drive that can also be listed here as an official drive.  See below for official drop off locations.



Sign up to help sort on Thursday 2/12 - 
Sign up for sorting on Thursday eve.
www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4DAFAA2FA46-toiletry


BH Team Project Leaders: Backyard Humanitarians Kitty Brown and Paula Nelson Egan.
Email: Volunteer@backyardhumanitarian.org for more details.



Items will go directly to:
Soup Kitchen - 2/14

Any additional items:
Men's Shelter
Family Shelter 
Individuals & Families in need 
Zion Church Food Pantry
Veterans (from homelessness to home)
Seniors


Thank You to our Official BH Drop Off Locations 
St. Leo's Church & William Raveis Real Estate!


Join us on Sunday morning January 11th for a Special Sneak Preview of PADDINGTON!
This is for a great cause, fighting homelessness. 

Picture
Jesse Lewis Playground, West Beach, Stamford CT
The Sandy Ground, Where Angels Play
PROJECT: BH Playground Cleanup 2015

Dates: May 2nd/COMPLETED
Next Date coming soon...
PARKING - We will meet those who signed up at the gate with passes.

Playgrounds provide kids with fun, fresh air and exercise.  In honor of Jesse and for all the kids, the BH team is helping to keep this one nice and clean for years to come. 

We disinfect & clean the playground and cleanup the area around it. We pick up any trash or broken glass, etc. We do this on a designated date for about 1 -2 hours in the morning. We also aim to keep it safe by reporting any problems we see to the city. If a part seems broken, loose or in need of other maintenance we immediately report the problem.

Backyard Humanitarians were a part of the project during the building of this playground in the spring of 2014 with a beach cleanup, a flagpole planting with plants donated by Bartlett Tree Co and a $1,000 donation from Backyard Humanitarians & friends 

 for the build donated directly to The Sandy Ground Where Angels Play. 

During the build weekend, more than 50 Backyard Humanitarians volunteered  to remember and honor Jesse Lewis. Our help was requested to clean the playground for the opening ceremony. We were honored to do it and we pledged to take care of the cleaning of the playground going forward. Our 1st official cleanup was in Sept of 2014 right after we received official approval from the City of Stamford.

Volunteers who'd like to join the BH team, please sign up or contact us to learn more. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to help.  You must have a completed BH volunteer application.


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
    • BEACH & PARK CLEANUPS
    • EMERGENCY RESPONSE
    • FOOD DRIVE
    • Food Pantry
    • KINDEST KIDS
    • SOUP KITCHEN
    • STARFISH SQUAD
    • HYGENE ITEMS DRIVE
    • VETERANS
    • Summer Food Drive for Zion Church Pantry
  • Community Partners 2018
    • Community Partners 2010-2107
  • BH Blog & News
  • Appreciation
  • Kind Words
  • Backyard Humanitarians
  • About
  • Press & MEDIA
  • REACH OUT TO US