Norwalk's STAR Celebrates Employee Appreciation Day

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. STAR Lighting the Way, a nonprofit organization in Norwalk supporting people with developmental disabilities, celebrated its Staff Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Lorraine Santo, Solange Buissereth, Grace Colon, Mike George, Rick McVeigh, Mel Giuliani, Renetta Barr and Katie Banzhaf.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way*

Haly Coleman, Diane Caston, Bill Casale, Nancy Armstrong, Jon Chandler, Katie Banzhaf and LInda Charette in front.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way*

by Javier Simon

12/30/2014 5:00 a.m.

Doree Levy of Westport and Barry Bosworth of Wilton were recognized during the event, which featured hourly drawings for gift cards and a baby-photo contest as well as free food and baked treats.

More than 200 visitors received royal-blue fleece scarves embroidered with the STAR logo.

Parents, siblings and other supporters also sent letters of thanks to their favorite staff members, which were shared during the event.

One parent wrote: "To all of you who try so hard to make other lives complete when they cannot do it for themselves, I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming to STAR each day and being a part of my sisters life. You are her mentors, her friends, her mental and physical caretakers of her well being. She is who she is because of you. My mom always said to me, Those who work at STAR, and the group homes, they are a very special kind of people that do this. And I so agree. Thank you all for being you."

Established in 1952, STAR serves more than 600 individuals from birth through their senior years in Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton, Westport and Weston.

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