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Carver Foundation Of Norwalk Receives $100K From Weston Man's Estate

NORWALK, Conn. -- The Carver Foundation of Norwalk recently received a $100,000 grant from the Daniel E. Offutt, III Charitable Trust, which will go to support Carver's after school Youth Development Program.

The Daniel E. Offutt, III Charitable Trust awarded the Carver Foundation of Norwalk with a grant of $100,000 to support its after school Youth Development Program.

The Daniel E. Offutt, III Charitable Trust awarded the Carver Foundation of Norwalk with a grant of $100,000 to support its after school Youth Development Program.

Photo Credit: Carver Foundation of Norwalk

"This most generous gift is an early and great boost to Carver's efforts to 'Build Lifetime Achievers' as Carver celebrates its 80th anniversary year in 2018," said Carver Executive Director Novelette Peterkin.

Daniel Edward Offutt of Weston was described by his many friends as a gentleman farmer, a tennis player, a traveler, a sailor, a metal sculptor, a wood worker, a fixer of anything, a collector of everything, a lover of projects, a stock market investor, and a good friend. 

"I have learned that a favorite expression of Mr. Offutt was, 'I've never met a successful pessimist,' and that is certainly the operating philosophy at Carver," Peterkin said.

Offutt lived for more than 30 years in Weston in a house that he built. On the property were some of his sculptures, and one of his proudest possessions – a tobacco barn, which he and his friends disassembled in upstate Connecticut and transported and re-built at his home in Weston.

"I did not have the privilege of knowing Mr. Offutt," Peterkin said. "But we are deeply grateful for Michele Markelon encouraging the estate administrator to consider Carver as a worthy beneficiary of Mr. Offutt's philanthropy. This gift will transform the lives of our young people today whose countless contributions will live on for generations."

Carver is the largest provider of after school and summer programs in Norwalk. Since 2005, 100 percent of Carver seniors graduate on time, and almost 100 percent of these graduates become first generation college students. In addition, 85 percent of these Carver students graduate from four-year colleges within six years. 

Carver’s Youth Development Program is conducted in the Carver Community Center, in Norwalk’s four middle and two high schools, and in Side by Side Charter School. 

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