Thousands of Local Volunteers Celebrate 25th Annual HomeFront Day

On Thursday, May 10, Stamford-based, Synapse Group gave a generous gift to many persons with disabilities in Stamford both financially and through their own helping hands. 

More than 60 employees joined forces with the HomeFront program to revitalize a Newfield Avenue residential building for Always Reaching for Independence of Connecticut. 

By the end of a full work day, Synapse volunteers completed massive landscaping projects to beautify the property for the residents, installed railings for safety, applied wainscoting to extend the life span of interior walls and re-routed drainage pipes to prevent damage to the foundation. 

According to Gerard Gasparino, ARI’s manager of development and recreation,

“The projects completed by Synapse volunteers were high on our priority list for quite some time. It would have taken many days and many dollars for us to address these needs without them.” 

ARI’s mission is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and their families by enabling them to achieve their fullest potential at home, at work and in the community. 

Synapse was one of two Stamford corporations taking part in the 25th annual HomeFront season. Dozens of employees from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) revitalized the home of a low-income Stamford couple in their 70s and 80s. 

“It is nothing short of heroic for organizations to re-affirm their commitment to giving back to the community during less certain economic times.” 

These two hometown businesses were in solidarity with more than 3,000 volunteers who repaired 76 properties in Connecticut and Westchester County, New York for neighbors in need. 

The Stamford-based humanitarian aid organization, AmeriCares, also turned out scores of volunteers to make crucial repairs to the home of a financially challenged widow in town. 

Organizations fielding volunteer teams also provide sponsorship contributions that help to fund the HomeFront mission. Other Stamford supporters also gave back by providing additional funding, such as First County Bank, Bank of America, Webster Bank and the Sievert Family Foundation. 

Since 1988, HomeFront volunteers have repaired over 2,650 properties for low-income neighbors and community centers, injecting improvements valued at roughly $42 million into the community. 

HomeFront is an independent program that formerly operated under the auspices of the humanitarian aid organization, AmeriCares. More information in how to get involved or how to apply to HomeFront for help can be found by calling 800-887-HOPE or visiting the program’s website: www.homefrontprogram.org.