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Community Service
Chairman: Ann Pennington
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2025-2026
Fall is here—the leaves are changing and it is the perfect season to come together and give back. Community service doesn’t have to be big or complicated; it’s about doing what we can, where we are, to make life a little brighter for others.
Here are some fun and meaningful ways to serve this season:
• Food for the Holidays-Organize or join a food drive to help families stock up before Thanksgiving.
• Spread Warmth- Collect coats, hats, gloves, and socks for shelters—it makes a big difference as the weather cools.
• Show Veterans Some Love- Drop off care packages or handwritten notes to local veterans.
• School Spirit- Donate supplies to classrooms—teachers and students always appreciate a little extra support.
• Rake and Reach Out- Help a neighbor with yardwork, especially our seniors who may need a hand with leaves.
Big or small, every effort matters. When we work together, we not only strengthen our communities—we also strengthen the bonds we share with each other. Let’s “fall” into service this season and keep the spirit of giving alive!
Here are some fun and meaningful ways to serve this season:
• Food for the Holidays-Organize or join a food drive to help families stock up before Thanksgiving.
• Spread Warmth- Collect coats, hats, gloves, and socks for shelters—it makes a big difference as the weather cools.
• Show Veterans Some Love- Drop off care packages or handwritten notes to local veterans.
• School Spirit- Donate supplies to classrooms—teachers and students always appreciate a little extra support.
• Rake and Reach Out- Help a neighbor with yardwork, especially our seniors who may need a hand with leaves.
Big or small, every effort matters. When we work together, we not only strengthen our communities—we also strengthen the bonds we share with each other. Let’s “fall” into service this season and keep the spirit of giving alive!
2024-2025
And just like that it’s June! This year flew by and all that Community Service we did all year helped to make our communities a nicer place to live. But we aren’t finished yet! Summer is right on our heels and time for us to be outdoors – there are so many things we can do outdoors to help our communities and our neighbors. Here are just a few ideas to keep us busy over the summer: Host a lemonade stand and donate the proceeds to a charity – kids love doing this one – make them a part of it! Build a neighborhood library shelf and share the joy of reading with others – summer at the beach or the pool is better with a book!
Organize a neighborhood yard sale and donate the proceeds to charity - summer is a great time to have the kids clean out all those toys they no longer use and make room for the new ones coming at Christmas or to clean out that garage that you have been trying to get to all winter! Clean up a park – the kids and the adults will enjoy that park even more without all the trash in it! These are just a few ways to help our communities during the summer months and get us outside!
Have a wonderful safe, fun summer!
Gladys DiDia
Community Service Chairman: [email protected]
April cried and stepped aside and along came pretty little May! The weather is finally getting warm and there are so many opportunities to participate in Community Service in May - this article will just cover some of the untraditional days. May 1 st is May Day - May Day ushers in a
traditional celebration of flowers and spring. Here are a few ideas to share some old traditions of May Day, make someone smile and beautify the landscapes too: Plant flowers – make a point of planting wildflowers and you will attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, fill a
basket with flowers, deliver it to your neighbor, ring the bell and run! Deliver flower bulbs to your friends and neighbors to plant in their yard.
May 1st is also Silver Star Banner Day – this day is for Americans to remember service members who have been wounded in combat, are sick and those who are dying. To honor these men and women we can attend a local veteran organization or military base event honoring Silver Star personnel and families or volunteer to help at these events.
May 9, 2025 is School Lunch Hero Day (usually the first Friday in May) dedicated to those men and women who make cafeterias and schools a better place to be! What was your favorite school lunch? We can help our community to honor the School Lunch Hero by making a card or bringing them a flower, decorate a banner telling these heroes all the way they are super! Tell these heroes, Thank you!
And just for fun May 3rd is National Raspberry Popover Day - purchase them or better yet, bake them at home and share with neighbors, friends and co-workers. A yummy treat and a fun way to brighten someone’s day. Happy May!
And just like that daffodils and tulips have sprung up reminding us that Spring is finally here! April is National Volunteer Month and Earth Day is on April 22nd. Both remind us that there are so many opportunities to be outside in the warm sunshine and participate in some Community Service projects! What are some ideas? Park Clean up ….Grab some bags and invite your friends to spend a few hours on trash duty at your favorite green space. Lemonade Stand …. Perfect for kids of all ages, set up a stand and kids choose a favorite cause or organization to donate their earnings. CPR Training…The opportunity to save a life is the ultimate act of community service. Take a class with family or with a group of friends and recertify every year. Start those gardens... If you have a green thumb, plant extra fruits and veggies during the growing season and give produce away for free to people or organizations in need of fresh food. Snack Baskets … fill a basket with bottles of water and snacks to keep by your front door for mail and delivery persons. Water Health… after a big storm walk the neighborhood and clear drains of debris. This small act helps to keep roads clear for neighbors and clean streams flowing.
And lastly – Plant a tree… the simple and beautiful act of planting a tree curbs erosion, creates habitats for furry and winged creatures and makes Mother Nature happy! These are just a few ideas of Spring community service projects – find some that you enjoy and have some fun outdoors – enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty and helping her out a bit! Happy Spring!
In the blink of an eye, March has arrived! So, what Community Service projects can we think of this month? Community Service ideas are abundant and only limited by your own creativity. The absolute best community service ideas for you are the ones where your passions meet your talents. No matter what your age, you and those you love will benefit when you volunteer for community service.
Parents set a good example when they think of the needs of others. Students learn responsibility and gain a sense of accomplishment when they help their communities. Community service creates fun and brings fulfillment – helping others can make us happy. Community service helps us meet and connect with others – it’s an opportunity to make new friends and feel a part of the community in which we live. Community service helps your body and mind –many community service opportunities involve physical exercise that helps our bodies stay active and healthy. So, while we are waiting for those violets and crocuses to finally arrive let’s get our families together and volunteer to do some community service projects!
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Acts of Love this month can also be some great Community Service ideas…. Here are just a couple ideas: Bring treats to your local Fire or Police Station – they will feel the love! Donate used books to a local school or library – make someone’s day by sharing the joy of reading! Pack small non- perishable snacks to hand out to those in need – A snack will make someone’s day! Leave a card and a bit of chocolate for your mail carrier – That’s a great “pick me up” towards the end of the day! Collect outgrown clothing items and bring to a local shelter – they may be old to you, but to someone in need they are new! Love your mother Earth, build a recycling bin for your local park – A great project to do with your Junior Members! Lastly – don’t forget those Pampers and other supplies for the CT Diaper Bank at Mid-Winter- Help to keep those bottoms dry and clean!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Gladys DiDia
Community Service Chairman
[email protected]
Brrr….It’s cold outside!
Winter can be the most wonderful time of the year, but for those who cannot afford the cold, it can be the most challenging. We can all make a difference in helping to keep folks warm. Here’s a few ways we can help make an impact and help those less fortunate stay warm during the cold days of winter. Host a coat drive: Help someone who doesn’t have a warm coat keep warm this year. Donate new or gently used coats to those in need. Knit scarves, hats and mittens: Those that can knit can help keep those heads and hands warm by knitting and donating these items to a shelter or those less fortunate. Collect money to fuel heat: Host a penny drive campaign to assist families in paying for their heating. Even a little spare change can make a world of difference to someone in your community this winter. Bring food for a shelter: Winter can put a strain on community shelters. Check a list online to see what local shelters need most.
Gladys DiDia
[email protected]
Tis the season for hot chocolate, sweaters and cookies galore! But for some families the Holidays are not so happy or festive. There is so much we can do in our communities to help make a difference, to help make some folks smile and to lift someone’s spirits. Here are just a few Ideas:
Adopt a family– Churches and businesses frequently provide giving trees. Select a family from the tree and help make a brighter holiday season for a family. Find a local toy drive to donate toys and books to. These events help families that are struggling and puts a smile on a child’s face. --Make Holiday Cards to donate to seniors living in assisted living facilities, veterans or military families. Involve kids to help with the cards– they will love it! Make a Holiday meal
- Make some cookies or a holiday meal to share with an elderly neighbor who doesn’t have a family nearby. Did you know December 6th is National Mitten tree day? Units can collect mittens and hang them on a Christmas tree and celebrate the gift of warmth by donating them to a shelter to help keep little hands warm and big hands too!
Happy Holidays!
Gladys DiDia
[email protected]
Who smells Turkey roasting in the oven? November is a special time when we gather with our families on Thanksgiving Day. But November is more than just eating Turkey – there are many ways we can help our communities. We can: Participate in a charity turkey trot or walk; Volunteer with food programs to help serve hot meals at a soup kitchen – Help fill grocery or food bins at a food bank or assemble food boxes to collect donations in; Attend Veteran Day services in your community; Write letters to service members; Take a veteran to lunch or coffee; and lastly Vote and fly the flag! And just for fun…..November 9th is National Scrabble Day – invite a friend to play a game, November 21st is world Hello Day – say hello to everyone you see – you may make them smile, and November is national Banana Pudding Lovers month – share some with a friend or neighbor.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Gladys DiDia Community Service Chairman [email protected]
Hello Members!
Fall is in the air! October is the month for many ways to help our Communities. It’s…… Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Raise awareness in your communities and support breast cancer initiatives by walking in a Breast Cancer Charity walk (Units can form a team and walk together), Create Pink-Themed events, Hand out Pink bracelets. National Bullying prevention Month: Promote kindness and anti-bullying efforts in your communities.
Tackling Hunger Month: Organize food drives and or volunteer at local food pantries. National Be Nice Day (October 5th): Spread Kindness and positivity within your communities. International Day of older Persons (October 1st): Connect with seniors in your community through senior centers, senior housing centers. Plan an activity at one of these locations and help make someone smile.
Emergency Nurses Week (October 6-12th) Show appreciation to emergency healthcare workers; help your hospital organize an event; Share a message of thanks on Social Media, send a thank you note to local emergency departments; drop off a platter of cookies or another treat. World Animal Day (October 4th ): Volunteer at an animal shelter or organize pet-related events.
Have a happy and safe Halloween!
Gladys DiDia Community Service Chairman
Dear Members;
I am Gladys DiDia of Norwalk Unit 12. It is my pleasure to serve as the Community Service Chair this year. Together we can do great things in our communities and our state! Units, Districts and individuals can find many ways to help our communities- the possibilities are endless! Let’s plan to make a difference in our communities throughout the year, not just during the holidays. Just a few ideas for this month: sponsor a blood drive, participate in a food or clothing drive, or organize a park clean-up day to pick up trash.
Gladys M. DiDia
Community Service Chair
Organize a neighborhood yard sale and donate the proceeds to charity - summer is a great time to have the kids clean out all those toys they no longer use and make room for the new ones coming at Christmas or to clean out that garage that you have been trying to get to all winter! Clean up a park – the kids and the adults will enjoy that park even more without all the trash in it! These are just a few ways to help our communities during the summer months and get us outside!
Have a wonderful safe, fun summer!
Gladys DiDia
Community Service Chairman: [email protected]
April cried and stepped aside and along came pretty little May! The weather is finally getting warm and there are so many opportunities to participate in Community Service in May - this article will just cover some of the untraditional days. May 1 st is May Day - May Day ushers in a
traditional celebration of flowers and spring. Here are a few ideas to share some old traditions of May Day, make someone smile and beautify the landscapes too: Plant flowers – make a point of planting wildflowers and you will attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, fill a
basket with flowers, deliver it to your neighbor, ring the bell and run! Deliver flower bulbs to your friends and neighbors to plant in their yard.
May 1st is also Silver Star Banner Day – this day is for Americans to remember service members who have been wounded in combat, are sick and those who are dying. To honor these men and women we can attend a local veteran organization or military base event honoring Silver Star personnel and families or volunteer to help at these events.
May 9, 2025 is School Lunch Hero Day (usually the first Friday in May) dedicated to those men and women who make cafeterias and schools a better place to be! What was your favorite school lunch? We can help our community to honor the School Lunch Hero by making a card or bringing them a flower, decorate a banner telling these heroes all the way they are super! Tell these heroes, Thank you!
And just for fun May 3rd is National Raspberry Popover Day - purchase them or better yet, bake them at home and share with neighbors, friends and co-workers. A yummy treat and a fun way to brighten someone’s day. Happy May!
And just like that daffodils and tulips have sprung up reminding us that Spring is finally here! April is National Volunteer Month and Earth Day is on April 22nd. Both remind us that there are so many opportunities to be outside in the warm sunshine and participate in some Community Service projects! What are some ideas? Park Clean up ….Grab some bags and invite your friends to spend a few hours on trash duty at your favorite green space. Lemonade Stand …. Perfect for kids of all ages, set up a stand and kids choose a favorite cause or organization to donate their earnings. CPR Training…The opportunity to save a life is the ultimate act of community service. Take a class with family or with a group of friends and recertify every year. Start those gardens... If you have a green thumb, plant extra fruits and veggies during the growing season and give produce away for free to people or organizations in need of fresh food. Snack Baskets … fill a basket with bottles of water and snacks to keep by your front door for mail and delivery persons. Water Health… after a big storm walk the neighborhood and clear drains of debris. This small act helps to keep roads clear for neighbors and clean streams flowing.
And lastly – Plant a tree… the simple and beautiful act of planting a tree curbs erosion, creates habitats for furry and winged creatures and makes Mother Nature happy! These are just a few ideas of Spring community service projects – find some that you enjoy and have some fun outdoors – enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty and helping her out a bit! Happy Spring!
In the blink of an eye, March has arrived! So, what Community Service projects can we think of this month? Community Service ideas are abundant and only limited by your own creativity. The absolute best community service ideas for you are the ones where your passions meet your talents. No matter what your age, you and those you love will benefit when you volunteer for community service.
Parents set a good example when they think of the needs of others. Students learn responsibility and gain a sense of accomplishment when they help their communities. Community service creates fun and brings fulfillment – helping others can make us happy. Community service helps us meet and connect with others – it’s an opportunity to make new friends and feel a part of the community in which we live. Community service helps your body and mind –many community service opportunities involve physical exercise that helps our bodies stay active and healthy. So, while we are waiting for those violets and crocuses to finally arrive let’s get our families together and volunteer to do some community service projects!
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Acts of Love this month can also be some great Community Service ideas…. Here are just a couple ideas: Bring treats to your local Fire or Police Station – they will feel the love! Donate used books to a local school or library – make someone’s day by sharing the joy of reading! Pack small non- perishable snacks to hand out to those in need – A snack will make someone’s day! Leave a card and a bit of chocolate for your mail carrier – That’s a great “pick me up” towards the end of the day! Collect outgrown clothing items and bring to a local shelter – they may be old to you, but to someone in need they are new! Love your mother Earth, build a recycling bin for your local park – A great project to do with your Junior Members! Lastly – don’t forget those Pampers and other supplies for the CT Diaper Bank at Mid-Winter- Help to keep those bottoms dry and clean!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Gladys DiDia
Community Service Chairman
[email protected]
Brrr….It’s cold outside!
Winter can be the most wonderful time of the year, but for those who cannot afford the cold, it can be the most challenging. We can all make a difference in helping to keep folks warm. Here’s a few ways we can help make an impact and help those less fortunate stay warm during the cold days of winter. Host a coat drive: Help someone who doesn’t have a warm coat keep warm this year. Donate new or gently used coats to those in need. Knit scarves, hats and mittens: Those that can knit can help keep those heads and hands warm by knitting and donating these items to a shelter or those less fortunate. Collect money to fuel heat: Host a penny drive campaign to assist families in paying for their heating. Even a little spare change can make a world of difference to someone in your community this winter. Bring food for a shelter: Winter can put a strain on community shelters. Check a list online to see what local shelters need most.
Gladys DiDia
[email protected]
Tis the season for hot chocolate, sweaters and cookies galore! But for some families the Holidays are not so happy or festive. There is so much we can do in our communities to help make a difference, to help make some folks smile and to lift someone’s spirits. Here are just a few Ideas:
Adopt a family– Churches and businesses frequently provide giving trees. Select a family from the tree and help make a brighter holiday season for a family. Find a local toy drive to donate toys and books to. These events help families that are struggling and puts a smile on a child’s face. --Make Holiday Cards to donate to seniors living in assisted living facilities, veterans or military families. Involve kids to help with the cards– they will love it! Make a Holiday meal
- Make some cookies or a holiday meal to share with an elderly neighbor who doesn’t have a family nearby. Did you know December 6th is National Mitten tree day? Units can collect mittens and hang them on a Christmas tree and celebrate the gift of warmth by donating them to a shelter to help keep little hands warm and big hands too!
Happy Holidays!
Gladys DiDia
[email protected]
Who smells Turkey roasting in the oven? November is a special time when we gather with our families on Thanksgiving Day. But November is more than just eating Turkey – there are many ways we can help our communities. We can: Participate in a charity turkey trot or walk; Volunteer with food programs to help serve hot meals at a soup kitchen – Help fill grocery or food bins at a food bank or assemble food boxes to collect donations in; Attend Veteran Day services in your community; Write letters to service members; Take a veteran to lunch or coffee; and lastly Vote and fly the flag! And just for fun…..November 9th is National Scrabble Day – invite a friend to play a game, November 21st is world Hello Day – say hello to everyone you see – you may make them smile, and November is national Banana Pudding Lovers month – share some with a friend or neighbor.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Gladys DiDia Community Service Chairman [email protected]
Hello Members!
Fall is in the air! October is the month for many ways to help our Communities. It’s…… Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Raise awareness in your communities and support breast cancer initiatives by walking in a Breast Cancer Charity walk (Units can form a team and walk together), Create Pink-Themed events, Hand out Pink bracelets. National Bullying prevention Month: Promote kindness and anti-bullying efforts in your communities.
Tackling Hunger Month: Organize food drives and or volunteer at local food pantries. National Be Nice Day (October 5th): Spread Kindness and positivity within your communities. International Day of older Persons (October 1st): Connect with seniors in your community through senior centers, senior housing centers. Plan an activity at one of these locations and help make someone smile.
Emergency Nurses Week (October 6-12th) Show appreciation to emergency healthcare workers; help your hospital organize an event; Share a message of thanks on Social Media, send a thank you note to local emergency departments; drop off a platter of cookies or another treat. World Animal Day (October 4th ): Volunteer at an animal shelter or organize pet-related events.
Have a happy and safe Halloween!
Gladys DiDia Community Service Chairman
Dear Members;
I am Gladys DiDia of Norwalk Unit 12. It is my pleasure to serve as the Community Service Chair this year. Together we can do great things in our communities and our state! Units, Districts and individuals can find many ways to help our communities- the possibilities are endless! Let’s plan to make a difference in our communities throughout the year, not just during the holidays. Just a few ideas for this month: sponsor a blood drive, participate in a food or clothing drive, or organize a park clean-up day to pick up trash.
Gladys M. DiDia
Community Service Chair