Laurie Newkirk
Channel 12 News captured the action!
Channel 12 News came back for the Ribbon Cutting with Mayor Simmons!
Capturing the faces and fun!
Walking across the entrance bridge at Cove Island Park in Stamford, Connecticut, I was struck by how dirty and depressing it was compared to the beauty of the park. I felt compelled to make a difference.
I joined forces with Chris Crain the Executive Director of the Stamford Senior Center, received a Neighborhood Community grant and together with donations from local business and nearly 40 seniors we painted the bridge with Rene Soto's inspiring design!
92-Year-Old Hilda painting!
Thank you to the City of Stamford:
o Office of the Mayor and Mayor Simmons
o Stamford Senior Center
o Parks & Rec Commission
o Kevin Murray, Park’s Dept.
o And to the City for the Neighborhood Community Grant
Thank you to the local businesses that donated:
· McDermott Paint & Wallpaper
· Raphael’s Services, LLC
· New Wave Seafood
Thank you to our volunteers:
· All the amazing Senior painters
· Community members who joined in
· Special shout out to Pasquale Cardone, Vincent Legg and Barb Wilkov
Thanks to my fellow visionary team members James Gerelli and Stamford Senior Center Executive Director Chris Crain .
Thanks to award-winning artist Rene Soto for his incredible mural design!
Thanks to the hundreds of you walking by during the painting who expressed praise and gratitude for the beautiful transformation of the bridge!
Thank you to News Channel 12 in Connecticut, Stamford Advocate and Stamford Patch for your initial coverage and thanks to News Channel 12 Bronx and News Channel 12 Long Island for picking up the story and sharing it!