To your health (and well-being)
This fall, nine local Robeks stores raised $2,000 by donating a dollar for every drink sold to Paul Newman”™s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
Pictured from left, Robeks employees Joanna Kreja, Connor Madden and Amanda Otero with Randy Shedd, director of corporate and financial relations for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the nonprofit founded by former Fairfield County resident Paul Newman and named for his “Butch Cassidy” movie outfit.
DeRosa earns industry kudos
Greenwich-based DeRosa Builders L.L.C. received three HOBI (Home Building Industry) Awards recognizing both its new homes and its remodels. The November event hosted more than 700 developers, architects, builders and vendors from around the state.
DeRosa Builders bills itself as “one of southern Connecticut”™s leading new home and renovation companies.” The company is involved with several local charitable organizations, as well as participating on the boards of industry organizations.
Freestyle help
Swim Across America ”” a national nonprofit dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research ”” this month donated $460,000 to Stamford-based Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), the nation”™s only nonprofit dedicated exclusively to cell and gene therapies for cancer. With the leadership of president, co-founder and Greenwich resident Barbara Netter and the foundation”™s board of directors and scientific advisory council, ACGT has provided more than $24 million in grants since 2001. From left, Swim Across America”™s Jacqué Lang and Kerry Anderson, ACGT co-founder and President Barbara Netter, and ACGT Executive Director Margaret Cianci.
NCC helps vets find work
Norwalk Community College (NCC) is making it easier for returning veterans to succeed in college and get back into the workforce. NCC is the only college in Connecticut to have signed on with the U.S. Veterans Health Administration to offer the “veterans integration to academic leadership” (VITAL) program on campus for students who are veterans.
VITAL is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help veterans succeed in college and inform them of VA resources.
NCC has opened a lounge where veteran students can study or relax or meet with a VITAL counselor like Amy Kaplan, a certified social worker who spends up to two days a week at NCC helping veterans navigate benefits and expediting paperwork. She also offers career guidance and connects veterans with employers interested in hiring vets.
Two into one for bank
Wells Fargo has consolidated two Stamford stores into one at Stamford”™s Ridgeway Shopping Center at 60 Sixth St. The new location consolidates two Wells Fargo retail banks previously at 2284 Summer St. (5,000 square feet) and 300 Main St. (9,800 square feet). An ATM will remain at the Main Street location.
The Stamford stores at 364 Hope St., 597 Elm St. and 1211 High Ridge Road are not impacted. There are no displacements as a result of the consolidation of the two stores into one. The team members are either being moved to the new store or being reassigned to another one.
Kitchen appeal
Deane Inc.”™s Stamford showroom has a newly renovated culinary center called “state of the art,” with the latest in kitchen design trends. “Our design team has created a new culinary center atmosphere that will inspire our clients and allied professionals to create designs throughout their homes,” said owner Peter Deane. Among the selling points is a walnut island countertop that”™s safe for food preparation and allows work directly on the surface. The company has a second showroom in New Canaan. It has served hundreds of clients in southwest Connecticut and the New York metro region.
Reynolds honored
Reynolds & Rowella L.L.P., a regional consulting, audit and accounting firm with offices in Ridgefield and New Canaan announced the Connecticut Society of CPAs paid tribute to Tom Reynolds at its Fall Awards Dinner last month. Reynolds had served as board chairman of the state Board of Accountancy for the past 10 years and is now stepping down.
Get fit; give generously
This holiday season, Equinox Darien is partnering with Person-to-Person, a rapid-response, early-assistance nonprofit, to help the community. Equinox is asking both members and nonmembers to donate shelf-stable food at Equinox Darien. Nonmembers who donate will receive a two-week trial membership and a three-day pass to give to friends. All Equinox members who donate will receive a small gift. The initiative runs through Dec. 29.
“We are pleased to partner with Person-to-Person and give back to those in need this holiday season,” said Jason Fox, Equinox Darien general manager.
Economic arc meets 3-point arc
Despite inclement weather, more than 150 business people attended an economic outlook breakfast sponsored by Waterbury-based Webster Bank, which operates branches Boston to New York City. The Mattatuck Museum event in Waterbury featured UConn”™s men”™s basketball coach and Webster spokesperson Kevin Ollie; Webster Chairman/CEO Jim Smith and Webster”™s economic adviser Nicholas Perna. Regional President Rick O”™Brien emceed the event that focused on winning traditions. From left, Ollie; Perna; Smith; O”™Brien; and Waterbury Mayor Neil O”™Leary.
