Getting Crafty at Community Centers, Inc – Valentine Project Tops off a Week of School Vacation Activities

As temperatures dipped in Greenwich, Community Centers, Inc. of Greenwich – CCI for short – was a hotbed of holiday activity on Friday.

Inside CCI, which was toasty warm on Friday, children enjoyed a Valentine’s Day party and craft project that topped off a week of activities planned by staff and volunteers during Greenwich Schools’ winter vacation. “Every year we have the children do a craft project for Valentine’s Day,” said Carol Memishian, President of the Board of Directors of CCI, which is located inside a big white Victorian house at 61 East Putnam Ave, next door to Glory Days Diner.

The Valentine’s craft project topped off a week of activities, including an ice skating outing to Hamill Rink, and a trip to Round Hill Community Church for a black history month exhibit.

At CCI, Kevin admires the Valentine’s Day flowers he arranged, Feb. 12, 2016 Credit: Leslie yager

“Rich Ernye at the ice rink has been so generous to us,” said Executive Director, Lauren Franciamore. “The kids really enjoyed skating there on Thursday.”

Memishian said everyone at CCI is busy planning a spring fashion show fundraiser for the non-profit social services agency.

“The fashion show will be at Belle Haven Club and feature the designs of Katie Fong, and jewelry by Steven B. Fox,” Memishian said. “Also, the Art Historian/Author Caroline Rennolds Milbank who just published a big fat juicy book on the history of fashion from 1800 to today will speak at the fundraiser.”

Ayden showed off the Valentine’s Day flower arrangement he will bring home to his family. Feb. 12, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

Mrs. Rennolds Milbank’s husband is the great grandson of Greenwich’s Jeremiah Milbank (1818–1884).

“Women will be able to enjoy a nice luncheon at the club, followed by the fashion show,” Memishian said.

“Icy Frantz will be a model in the fashion show, and the honorary event chairs are Wendy Stapleton-Reyes and Colleen deVeer from Greenwich International Film Festival (GIFF).”

The fundraiser is set for Thursday, April 14 from 11:30am til 2:00pm. (Click for more details).

CCI runs popular homework clubs at Julian Curtiss, ISD, Hamilton Ave and New Lebanon School. Last year the homework clubs provided over 8,000 services hours and served 166 children. At Julian Curtiss they also operate a breakfast club that benefited 128 students.

Community Centers, Inc., with all it has provided for over 60 years, is made possible by extraordinary volunteer support. You can be part of their next 60 years. CCI offers a variety of ways to give back to your community. To learn how, call them at (203) 869-1276 or email [email protected]