First Responders Serve Scoops at 18th Annual Rebecca S. Breed Ice Cream Social

By James Bonney

Children lined up eagerly at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich as familiar community leaders stepped behind the serving table, trading their daily responsibilities for ice cream scoops.

Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey, Fire Chief Joseph McHugh, and GEMS Executive Director of GEMS Tracy Schietinger, joined the annual Rebecca S. Breed Ice Cream Social, serving ice cream to club members and reinforcing the strong connection between local first responders and the youth they serve.

 

The event marked the 18th annual ice cream social, a tradition established in honor of Rebecca S. Breed, a longtime Boys & Girls Club board member, volunteer, and former Greenwich First Selectman. Breed dedicated years of service to the club and was recognized as the organization’s Champion of Youth in 2019, its highest volunteer honor. “This was where she loved to volunteer and give her time,” said Laura Dianis, Director of External Relations for the Club. “The club itself has a strong tradition in the community…and it’s important just to remember the traditions.”

The recently renovated Rebecca S. Breed Clubhouse now bears her name, ensuring her legacy remains a permanent part of the organization she helped shape.

Beyond honoring Breed’s legacy, the ice cream social serves as a meaningful moment for the children who attend the club each day. CEO Cristina Vittoria said the event has become something members anticipate each year, offering both a celebration and an opportunity to bring the broader community together. “It’s a day the kids look forward to every year,” Vittoria said. “It’s also a great way to bring in other community members, including her family, and our police chief, our fire chief, to come in and serve to all the kids who are here.”

The presence of first responders in such an informal and welcoming setting allows children to interact with community leaders in ways that feel approachable and memorable.

That connection reflects the Boys & Girls Club’s broader role as a cornerstone of youth development in Greenwich. Many of the leaders who returned to serve ice cream once stood on the other side of the table as club members themselves.

“Many of them grew up at the club… so they come back to give back to the kids who they once were part of,” Vittoria said.

Each year, the club serves nearly 2,000 children between the ages of six and 18, with approximately 350 children passing through its doors on a typical day.

Events like the ice cream social reinforce that relationship, reminding members that the community they are part of today will continue to support them long into the future.

The Boys & Girls Club continues to expand its outreach to ensure children from all parts of Greenwich have access to its programs. While many members traditionally come from the central and western portions of town due to proximity, Vittoria said recent partnerships with Greenwich Public Schools have helped expand transportation options, allowing more children from the eastern side of town to attend after-school programs. With increased busing availability, the club hopes to continue growing its reach and welcoming new members.

Events like the ice cream social play an important role in strengthening that outreach by bringing together families, community leaders, and supporters in one shared space. By inviting first responders, local officials, and alumni to participate directly, the club reinforces its mission to serve the entire Greenwich community. The sight of children laughing alongside the very people who help protect and lead their town reflects the deeper purpose of the event: not just to celebrate a tradition, but to ensure every child feels connected, supported and part of something larger than themselves.

As the last scoops were served and the afternoon came to a close, the ice cream social stood as both a tribute to Rebecca S. Breed’s legacy and a reflection of the Boys & Girls Club’s enduring mission. Through continued outreach, strong community partnerships, and traditions that bring people together year after year, the organization remains committed to providing a welcoming space where every child in Greenwich has the opportunity to grow, belong, and thrive.