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Fairfield Kids Honored For Beach Cleanup In The Community

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Students from Kids Leading Communities were honored by Fairfield's Board of Selectmen for their efforts to clean up the town's beaches.   

First Selectman Mike Tetreau on the left, Selectman Kevin Kiley in the middle and Selectman Cristin McCarthy Vahey on the right with the team. See story for names.

First Selectman Mike Tetreau on the left, Selectman Kevin Kiley in the middle and Selectman Cristin McCarthy Vahey on the right with the team. See story for names.

 Photo Credit: Contributed
Daily Voice

The students received Certificates of Congratulations last week for their work in June. The kids are members of the Kids Leading Communities, which empowers school-age kids to take an active role in social and civic projects that help others in Fairfield and surrounding areas.  

These are the kids who were honored for the work: Caitie Betza, Cole Betza, Yeraz Bozuklu, Lillian Klouman, Sofia Nikac, Tara Mirabile, Jonathan Kraus, Emma Davies, Ella Therriault, Livy DeSabella, Addie Rush, Arianna Meehan and Ava Carden.

KLC’s motto is: “Get involved. Make it fun. Amazing things will happen.”

The club began as a spontaneous “help your neighbor” action in Fairfield during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. A group of kids -- Caitlin and Cole Betza and Tara Mirabile -- and a father -- Ken Betza -- drove around a still-flooded beach area to pass out coffee, doughnuts and snacks to families cleaning up, out-of-town workers rebuilding downed power lines and National Guard soldiers patrolling the area. 

Soon after the storm had passed, Caitie, Cole and Tara realized that small gestures can go a long way toward helping people. They thought about a lot of things they could do to help others in and around their local community.  

As the number of volunteer events grew, so did the number of kids that wanted to be part of KLC. Today, KLC count on about 25 kids in Fairfield who are active volunteers.

Over the past two years since Sandy, KLC has been part of a number of events, ranging from food donations and clothing drives, handing out balloons at senior citizen centers, to spreading Christmas cheer at the Salvation Army Center in Bridgeport, and many other civic causes including the following:

  • Operation Hope Food Drive 
  • Bridgeport Rescue Mission Clothing Drive 
  • Salvation Army Mixer 
  • The Connecticut Citizen organization
  • Operation Hope Meal Preparation 
  • Health Rehab Balloon Delivery 

For the latest news and photos on KLC activities, visit its website at kidsleadingcommunities.shutterfly.com/.

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