Connecticut, Fairfield County
Volunteers from UConn’s Fairfield County Alumni Network assemble emergency kits at the Americares distribution center in Stamford, Conn. Photo by Christopher Williams/Americares.
Stamford, Conn. – April 11, 2019 – More than 50 volunteers from UConn’s Fairfield County Alumni Network assembled 1,000 emergency kits for disaster survivors at Americares headquarters on Wednesday, April 10, in celebration of National Volunteer Week and UConn Cares, a month-long initiative encouraging alumni to celebrate their Husky pride and volunteer within their local communities.
The kits contain essential hygiene items, including soap, shampoo and toothpaste. Americares pre-positions the kits in its Stamford warehouse for distribution to families worldwide displaced by tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding and other emergencies.
“National Volunteer Week is a great opportunity to involve the community in the hands-on work that we do,” said Americares Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer Christine Squires. “UConn’s support will ensure displaced families receive critical relief items in times of crisis.”
Carly Anderson and Allison Murphy of UConn’s Fairfield County Alumni Network assemble emergency kits in Americares distribution center in Stamford, Conn. Photo by Christopher Williams/Americares.
Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week celebrates the impact and power of volunteerism. The local events, volunteer projects and social media conversations that take place during this week demonstrate that every individual has the power to create change—taking action to tackle society’s greatest challenges, and build stronger, more resilient communities. This year thousands of projects and special events will take place April 7-13.
“It’s important to have a stake in your community and give back to those in need,” said UConn Alumni Fairfield County Advisory Committee Member Harold Darak. “As UConn alumni, we take that value of community spirit to the communities that we live and work in. Americares is important to alumni in Fairfield County because of the great work they do at home and abroad—it’s a cause that speaks to many people.”
Americares helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters; increase access to medicine and medical supplies; improve and expand clinical services; prevent disease; and promote good health. The health-focused relief and development organization responds to an average of 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, from earthquakes and cyclones to disease outbreaks and civil conflict.