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STAMFORD, Conn. Several mayors and first selectmen in Fairfield County are hoping to wrap up a good deed on Monday.
Armed with scissors, tape and bows, some of the area's top elected officials will square off in a gift-wrapping competition at 10 a.m. to launch the 22nd Annual St. Luke's LifeWorks Holiday Gift Collection at its Stamford location, 141 Franklin St.
Among those competing will be Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia, Weston First Selectwoman Gayle Weinstein, Acting Fairfield First Selectwoman Sherri Steeneck, Newtown First Selectwoman Patricia Llodra and Shelton Mayor Mark A. Lauretti. Mayors and first selectmen from Darien, Greenwich and Danbury may also participate.
"The object is to rouse and increase community participation for LifeWorks' 2011 Holiday Gift Collection," said Takeia McAlister, manager of the Holiday Gift Collection and a member of the Stamford Advisory Board.
"The event will make it possible for more than 2,700 children throughout Fairfield County who are homeless, living in poverty or infected by HIV/AIDS to receive two personalized gift wrapped toys in time for the holidays," said McAlister. "It's a fun and easy way for leaders to mobilize their cities and towns to remind us all that giving from the heart ties us all together."
A panel of preschoolers and kindergartners will be the judges and determine which leaders are the best at wrapping gifts. They will be judged in the following categories: fastest wrapper, best wrapper, most creative wrapping without using traditional wrapping paper, and oddest-shaped gifts.
"Every year the HGC has a tremendous need for appropriate new toys," McAlister said. "With the help of these community leaders, we hope enough toys will be supplied before the gift deadline date of Dec. 9."
Gift-wrapping parties are also scheduled for Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 in the toy workshop in Stamford. As a result, children from more than 35 nonprofit agencies in Fairfield County will receive personalized gift-wrapped toys.
St. Luke's LifeWorks is a Fairfield County non-profit organization that provides housing solutions and life-skills training for people overcoming homelessness, recovering from mental illness or living with HIV/AIDS. It has been assisting the homeless of lower Fairfield County since the late 1800s and provides the only shelter for women, children and families in Stamford. It has 10 locations throughout the county.
For more information, visit www.stlukeslifeworks.org.
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