Chamber Distributes Donations to 3 Darien Non-Profits!
The Darien Chamber of Commerce recently donated three checks from the proceeds of the 2016 Wine Tasting and Silent Auction Event held at BMW of Darien. This year the beneficiaries were the DEPOT, Darien Arts Center and the Darien Chamber Charitable Foundation for scholarships and Darien Holiday Lights.
Kathy Arrix and Kathryn Doran, Co-Presidents of the DEPOT Advisory Board said, “We are so honored to be a recipient of the funds from the 2016 Chamber of Commerce Wine Tasting Event. This event is always a great evening with the local business people and organizations of Darien. The funds donated by the Darien Chamber of Commerce are vital to supporting The Depot – Darien Youth Center. This year’s generous support will be used to make much needed improvements to The Depot. After 27 years of use by Darien youth, our building needs some basic maintenance and updating to ensure the safety and comfort of our community. In addition, a portion of these funds will be earmarked for our new Executive Development Director position. We are proud of the many programs The Depot provides to our youth and community. The hiring of an EDD is the next step in our growth and long-term goals. Thank you to the Darien Chamber of Commerce, fellow recipient Darien Arts Center and the attendees of this year’s event. The Youth of Darien, the Staff of The Depot and The Depot Board of Directors appreciate and thank you for your support.”
Amy Allen, Executive Director of the Darien Arts Center says, “We would like to express our sincere gratitude for, once again, being the recipient of the generous support of the Darien Chamber of Commerce. Funds received from the 2016 Wine Tasting and Charity Auction will help support all educational programs and events at the DAC in dance, visual arts, music and theatre including productions produced by our community theatre program, DAC Stage. The Darien Arts Center has been dedicated to providing visual and performing arts programs and events for the community for over 40 years. As a non-profit that is solely funded by private donations, grants, tuition fees and ticket sales, local community support like that of the Chamber is vital to our existence. Once again, please accept our gratitude, from all of us at the DAC. And please visit our facilities at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall to explore all that the DAC has to offer!”
Finally, Bill Jensen, Chairman of the Darien Chamber Charitable Foundations says “this money is solely devoted to the Scholarship Awards Program that the Chamber has been doing for years. This money allows the Chamber to award two scholarships to Darien High School students and two to a family member or employee of a Chamber member”. In 2016 and again in 2017, the Chamber will be awarding a total of four scholarships due to the success of this event. The Darien Chamber Charitable Foundation is also able to help support the decorating and lighting of Darien during the holidays with the “wreaths and holiday lights” that adorn Darien’s lamp posts.
The Darien Chamber is committed to taking a leadership role in promoting the business community and the quality of life in Darien. The Darien Chamber is supported by Elite Sponsor, Darien Rowayton Bank.
Left to Right: Susan Cator-President, Executive Director, Darien Chamber of Commerce, Amy Allen-Executive Director, Darien Arts Center, Kathryn Doran, Co-President, DEPOT Advisory Board, Kathy Arrix, Co-President, DEPOT Advisory Board and Bill Jensen, Chairman, Darien Chamber Charitable Foundation.
