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Health & Fitness

Warming Up for Winter

After our early taste of winter, one Norwalk agency is helping keep those in need in our region warm and toasty, one coat at a time.

If you take a walk through the shoreline communities here in Fairfield County, you can still see scattered piles of sand and debris, like rusting metal shelves and water-stained storage boxes of Christmas decorations in front of homes - remnants of the mess left by Tropical Storm Irene just a short time ago. And thanks to our “Snowtober Surprise” this past weekend, the region was hammered once again by Mother Nature with heavy, wet snow, gusty winds and chilly temps.

As I write, utility companies estimate there are nearly half a million people in the state who are still in the dark. Schools are closed, offices are closed, meetings are cancelled, Halloween was even postponed for goodness sake! And just about everyone is inconvenienced. In the uncomfortable quiet of a powerless house, it is very easy to become frustrated. It’s dark, it’s cold, the cable is out and you can't even watch Monday Night Football or Dancing with the Stars for entertainment because you can't charge your iPad. Your normal life is turned upside down. 

As maddening, and even dangerous, as this situation is for so many, the reality is that for most, the lights will eventually come back on, the furnace will fire back up and the fridge will be restocked with fresh food. This is in no way to minimize the gravity of this situation for the thousands affected – every day on the road back to normal can feel like an eternity. However, there are many in this area who struggle, 365 days a year, to meet the basic needs of life, storm or not.

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This weekend, a Norwalk-based agency is doing its part to help address some of those needs. Christian Community Action (CCA) is hosting its annual Winter Coat and Warm Clothing Drive. CCA is looking for items like coats, hats, mittens, scarves and blankets to distribute to those in need throughout the area. They also need plenty of volunteers to help them sort and hand out those items.

CCA is a nonprofit, nonsectarian agency that works to provide food, furniture, financial assistance and other necessities to people in need who are living in the greater Norwalk area. The drive is this Saturday November 5th from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the South Norwalk Police Department. If you’re free and can help out, give them a call or swing by and drop off some of your gently used items. No doubt they’ll do a lot of good!

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You can learn more about CCA from our website, www.volunteersquare.com and you can also check out some of their other volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

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