News & Views

New Canaan Country School Holds Kyle A. Markes Day of Service

New Canaan Country School and Horizons families came together to serve the wide-ranging needs of 15 local non-profit organizations on the school’s campus and throughout Fairfield County, April 23. They were participating in the eighth annual Kyle A. Markes Day of Service, named in honor of an NCCS student who passed away in 2013 and is remembered for his commitment to community service.


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“Kyle was one of the most selfless people I have ever met. His positivity and kindness were infectious. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to know him,” said Emma Hunter ’17, a classmate of Kyle’s. Poignantly, Emma’s mother contributed Emma’s childhood bicycle to the collection efforts of one of the non-profit partners, Northeast Community Cycles, a Stamford-based organization that provides bicycles to Fairfield County residents in need. “I’m so glad that someone else will now be able to enjoy it. This is a great way to honor Kyle,” added Claire Hunter of Darien. 

In addition to supporting Northeast Community Cycles, volunteers of all ages spruced up entrances with spring plantings at Waveny LifeCare Network’s senior living facilities The Inn and Waveny Care Center (New Canaan), Open Doors (Norwalk) and Inspirica (Stamford); restocked the food pantry at New Covenant Center (Stamford) and Person-to-Person (Norwalk); and fulfilled the wish lists of non-profit organizations including Building One Community (Stamford), Filling In the Blanks (Norwalk), Family & Children’s Agency (Norwalk) and The Elm Project’s Camp AmeriKids (Stamford). Volunteers also made fleece blankets for the babies in the NICU and cards for the mothers comforted by The Tiny Miracles Foundation (Darien) and put together bags of toys and cards of support for pediatric cancer patients served by One Tough Cookie (Stamford). 

“KAM Day of Service connects the students to the larger community in such an impactful way,” said Cassie Bevan, a member of the school’s Parents’ Association community service committee. “It is particularly moving to witness everyone in our community eager to roll up their sleeves and work together in the spirit of making a difference. With the variety of events, children are seeing that opportunities to connect and get involved are everywhere.”  
 
Event co-chairs Aimee Ableman of Rowayton and Lindsay O'Donnell of Darien, facilitated the activities, many of which will continue through the spring. They were assisted by Suzie Jellinek of Darien and Claire Londa of Rowayton.
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New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.