By Amber Boissonneault
Being thankful for what we have, and giving back to those in need is important all-year round, and particularly during the holidays. We love our community and want to support our people and organizations in as many ways as we can, so join us in paying it forward with these local opportunities.
​Our Picks to Pay it Forward
LUCKY DOG REFUGE: Spend time with a pup in need! Give back by volunteering or find your new best friend by fostering or adopting a rescue dog. 36 Pulaski Street, Stamford, CT
KIDS IN CRISIS: Send supportive cards to staff and purchase items for the shelter program that ship direct to KIC by visiting their Amazon wishlist. 1 Salem Street, Cos Cob, CT
NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR: Open for donations to support local families in need. Most requested items are sponges, cleaners, canned fruit, canned protein, pasta sauce & size 5/6 diapers. 248 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT
GREENWICH UNITED WAY: Donate to Greenwich United Way's Early Education Scholarship program, providing access to childcare and preschool to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it. 500 West Putnam Avenue #415, Greenwich, CT
THE BRUCE: Become a member of The Bruce and donate to their annual fund to continue the mission of connecting science, art, history, and community. 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT

MEET THIS MONTH'S CURATOR
Amber Boissonneault

Amber Boissonneault benefits from a complex history of sales, fine art, and gardening, making her skilled in cultivation and persuasion. Before stepping aside from her career to raise her son, Amber worked for over a decade at a major pharmaceutical company. She then received her degree in Art Business and moved into sales for a boutique modern art gallery in New York City. Amber now lives in Greenwich with her husband and her son, Charlie. When she's not keeping them in line, she dedicates her time to several local charities...and, of course, her garden!

STAMFORD —  Lucky Dog Refuge and Mill River Park hosted their second annual “Luckypawlooza” fundraising festival, presented by Magna Construction on Saturday.

Proceeds from the event benefited Lucky Dog Refuge and improvements to Mill River Park’s dog park. The festival featured adoptable animals, live music, food trucks, beer garden, comedians, a kids zone, charities, local businesses, artisans, a lure course and competitions for dogs, and more.

BY PJ KENNEDY  AUGUST 29, 2023
Lucky Dog Refuge and Mill River Park will host their second annual “Luckypawlooza” fundraising festival, presented by Magna Construction on Oct. 14 in Stamford.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Lucky Dog Refuge and improvements to Mill River Park’s dog park.

Lucky Dog Refuge CT (36 Pulaski Street) is a Stamford-based rescue that has saved and adopted out over 800 dogs in the past 3 years. Most of these dogs were medical, neglect, and euthanasia cases; dogs who were once failed by humanity but are now living the dream in their forever homes. 
“Luckypawlooza” runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mill River Park (1050 Washington Boulevard) and will include a fun-filled festival for people of all ages. There will be adoptable animals, live music, food trucks, beer garden, comedians, a kids zone, charities, local businesses, artisans, a lure course and competitions for dogs, and more. 

Lucky Dog is also hosting a raffle to raise funds for more medical cases. For every $100 ticket, donors have a chance to win up to $20k (second prize $10k and third prize $5k) Supporters could win the prize and save dogs all at the same time. The drawing will be live at 4pm at Luckypawlooza on October 14. (Winners do not necessarily need to attend to be eligible) 
For more information, tickets, and volunteer opportunities visit, www.luckydogrefuge.com.

DARIEN — The Darien Pride Committee sponsored its second LGBTQ+ Pride Month celebration in Tilley Pond Park on Sunday.

Darien residents spent the afternoon enjoying food trucks, arts and crafts, puppy adoption and a drag performance by Darien High School graduate Boxa Crayonz.

First Selectman Monica McNally delivered a proclamation officially declaring June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Darien.
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Written By
Mollie Hersh

By Rosemary Black

​The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Monday and what better way to celebrate than with some Stanley pups?

More than a dozen puppies who are up for adoption were on hand at the NHL offices in New York on Wednesday and some even got screen time on "NHL Mash-Up," one of the League's newest shows.

"Very early on when we first started the show, we were told we are going to have an episode with puppies," said Kathryn Tappen, who hosts "NHL Mash-Up" with former NHL player Dominic Moore. "We've been teasing it all season. It will certainly bring light to the shelters in the area and really throughout the country. I mean, these dogs today were from Mississippi, they're at Lucky Dog Refuge in Connecticut. They're local pups and they're available for adoption. And I think that's huge, especially this time of year in spring and summer when people want to get outside, what better way than with a new puppy?"

"NHL Mash-Up," is a bi-weekly magazine show created by NHL Original Productions which airs on the League's YouTube Channel. Hosted by Tappen and Moore, the series showcases the week's best content across the League, including player features, mic'd up moments, uplifting stories and more.

"Dogs and adorable animals are very popular on social media," Moore said. "And I think it's a good mix. Our show is all about social content and personality and dogs also have a way of bringing out the personality of the players and there's been other stuff done throughout the season as team's have been doing with dogs and other animals and it's really fun so we just thought we'd enjoy playing it up today with our dogs joining us in the studio."

So how did the idea come about? Kirstin Mende, who founded Lucky Dog Refuge with her mother in 2020, had some NHL connections and put two of her passions together.

"I worked in communications at the National Hockey League from 2010 to late 2013," Mende said. "I've stayed in touch with the National Hockey League family. A lot of my friends still work here. When I was working at the NHL, you know back in between 2010 and 2013, I kept saying we should have a dog do puck drop. How great would it be if we had a dog do the puck drop. And 10 years later, here we are with our dogs and the NHL is just doing such wonderful things embracing dogs and the need for rescue and finding them forever homes. And I'm just so happy that my two worlds have collided."

Looking for a steadfast companion who provides unconditional love and loyalty, isn’t judgmental, 

and knows how to snuggle? Perhaps you could use a friend to exercise with and accompany you on long walks. Who can you turn to for this perfect friendship? Many people would tell you to adopt a pet.

Those of us who may be feeling isolated or alone can experience wonderful companionship from a pet, says Lisa Bonanno-Spence, director of development at the SPCA in Briarcliff Manor. “A pet gives you a reason to be a little more active,” she says, and can help get you out and about, and socializing.

Westchester County is a great place to live when it comes to owning a pet. “There are so many resources in Westchester for pet owners,” Bonanno-Spence notes. “There are canine boarding facilities, pet sitters, and even vets will occasionally board your pet when you travel.”

Pets offer abounding love and they don’t hold grudges! “They say you live longer when you have a pet,” offers Paula Krenkel of PetRescue in Harrison, where cats and dogs are available for adoption.

Kirstin Mende and her mother Maria Mende (pictured here with her puppy) are the co-founders of Lucky Dog Refuge in Stamford, Connecticut. She believes there aren’t any negatives when it comes to adopting a rescue. “For a senior, an animal can be the center of your world and the reason you get up every day,” she says. “Some rescue organizations will not adopt out to anyone over 60 or 65. We know that age is just a number and we know how comforting a rescue can be.”
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