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Norwalk's Roodner Court Turns Out For Family Day Festivities, Giveaways

NORWALK, Conn. - The Resident Council at the Roodner Court housing complex in Norwalk held its Family Day on Saturday, handing out backpacks to needy kids while hosting a big block party.

Volunteers gather Saturday for a Family Day and to hand out backpacks.

Volunteers gather Saturday for a Family Day and to hand out backpacks.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kids wait in line to get a ticket for a free ice cream.

Kids wait in line to get a ticket for a free ice cream.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
From left: Lucia Rilling, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling and Roodner Court Resident Council President Thomasina McClenden.

From left: Lucia Rilling, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling and Roodner Court Resident Council President Thomasina McClenden.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Basketball and other games are popular at Saturday's event.

Basketball and other games are popular at Saturday's event.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kids enjoying ice cream on a scorching hot day.

Kids enjoying ice cream on a scorching hot day.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Kids enjoy face painting, basketball and other games at Saturday's event.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman

The event included games, face painting, basketball and other activities.

Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling and his wife, Lucia, also made an appearance and enjoyed the event.

"It's a great event," Rilling told the Daily Voice. "It gets the kids prepared to go back to school, gets them help playing in their own neighborhood, enjoying the neighborhood.

"It's been going for about 12 years now, and the residents come out and have a great day. They give out backpacks, they have dancing, basketball, face painting, games ... just like a big block party. It's a wonderful time, and a great chance to come out and meet your neighbors."

Thomasina McClenden, president of the Resident Council, was pleased with the event, held on a bright, hot summer day. 

"The turnout today is great, we always have a good turnout," said] McClenden. "The biggest part of this event is that we give out backpacks for the kids to go back to school. It's just one thing less that parents have to worry about. We get donations, and have volunteers who come out and help us.

"The response is always positive, people are always glad that we do this, and it's always fun to come out and see who your neighbors are."

The Norwalk Human Services Council is part of the driving force behind the Family Day festivities and the drives to put together the backpacks filled with school supplies. It will be holding a similar Family Day event with backpack giveaways at Washington Village in Norwalk from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21.

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