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Although the rain put a damper on the turnout, the true spirit of the event was more evident than ever. Many people braved the weather and dedicated their time, including a total of 35-plus truckers and 40 student volunteers from Brien McMahon and Norwalk High Schools. The New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, Weston and Wilton Police Departments were on the scene as well with special response vehicles, cruisers, quads and HumVees.
The Norwalk Fire Department, City Carting, Conte Co., FGB Construction, Tumble Jungle, Devine Bros., Norwalk Ambulance, CL&P and the Norwalk Transit District came with city buses, excavators, cement mixers, monster trucks, ambulances, and shredding and bucket trucks. New this year was the zodiac boat from Aquarion Water Co. and the disaster relief vehicle brought by the Red Cross.
Others taking part included The Roaming Railroad, Hot off the Grille Food Truck, and Bounce U. Special guests included John Voket and the 95.9 The Fox Street team who kept an upbeat outlook even though the weather did not cooperate.
Kari Pesavento, program director, expressed her gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of support and dedication. “Everyone was amazing. It was a true testament to their commitment of the work Children’s Connection does,'' she said. "They were all disappointed with the weather, but still wanted to give it a go. They all kept saying – it’s for the kids!”
KIDZFEST represents the largest fundraising event of the year for Children’s Connection. With only 60 people attending, down from the previous year's total of 1,500, the program was far from achieving its goal of $10,000.
The funds raised for this event help children and families in New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, Wilton and Weston who suffer from sexual and physical abuse.
Children’s Connection is a nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center that works to identify, substantiate and treat these types of cases.
KIDZFEST event co-chair, Norwalk Police Detective Tim Marquis said: “Children’s Connection’s services are vital to the work that we do and help law enforcement get the information we need to hold offenders accountable without traumatizing the children and families involved. I love being so involved in the planning of this great event and while it was disappointing that the weather didn’t cooperate, we look forward to a bigger and better event next year.”
Children’s Connection accepts donations year-round to support its child abuse services. Donations can be made by going to www.hscct.org or checks can be made payable to Children’s Connection and sent to Human Services Council at 1 Park St., Norwalk, CT 06851.
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