SHARE

Fairfield Reaches Out to Help Neighbors

It all started with one teacher and one family. Diane Rossiter, a gifted resource teacher in Fairfield, decided to "adopt" a family at Bridgeport's Cesar Batalla School, buying Christmas presents for kids whose families cannot afford to. Now 20 years later, that act of charity has grown into a program that will help 300 kids have a happy holiday.

"Some friends of mine thought it was a great idea, and they said, 'Next year, get us a family,'" Diane says. "So it went from the one family, then the next year a dozen families, and the next year it just really took off."

With the help of fellow teachers Keith Olson and Dorothy Laurie, Dianne kept growing the program. This year, the district's central office staff and groups from Riverfield, Mill Hill, Burr and Tomlinson schools will collect donations for Bridgeport families.

Throughout the year at Cesar Batalla School, teachers and social workers look for signs that children come from families in need. They give names to fellow teacher Liz Strubbe, who reaches out to the families and asks whether they would like to participate.

Each classroom in the Fairfield schools then is assigned a family to "adopt." Local companies, teachers and other people adopt families as well, so no one is turned away.

"Sometimes it feels like I only have to mention the need, and someone will say, 'I will do that,'" Diane says. Each child—even those too old or too young to attend Cesar Batalla—receives a new winter coat and at least one toy. Many classes go the extra mile and donate books, hats, gloves and other gifts. This Friday, Diane and other volunteers will distribute the gifts at the Bridgeport school.

The program touches families in Fairfield as well, and not just through the thank-you cards that pour into Diane's mailbox in January. Through the connection made between the two schools, Mill Hill and Cesar Batalla work together through an inter-district grant. Mill Hill kids will visit Cesar Batalla to learn about Three Kings Day celebrations, and Cesar Batalla students will join them on trips to the Mill River in the spring.

"I think that, for the children that are involved, this is something that opens their eyes," Diane says. "I mean, Bridgeport's our neighbor."

Does your school have a collection drive like this one? Tell us about it in the comments, or e-mail tips to gcanuel@mainstreetconnect.us.

to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE