Tokeneke Kids Club in Darien Raises Record Amount for Foundation

Tokeneke Kids Care Club children danced their way to a record-breaking $4,235 for the Obie Harrington-Howes Foundation at a Groove-a-thon fundraiser Monday.

The annual event challenges students to move and groove for an hour straight. The foundation helps state residents living with spinal cord injuries.

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Mr. Harrington-Howes was a local philanthropist for many years before a spinal cord injury as the result of a swimming accident inspired him to found his own charitable organization. He was thrilled with the spirit of compassion at this year’s Groove-a-thon and the number of children who wanted to participate. The Tokeneke Kids Care Club has partnered with the OHHF for several years, and Mr Harrington-Howes’ visit is always a club highlight. At their April meeting the children had the opportunity to tour his specially equipped van and learn about the modifications a paralyzed person must make to their daily life and surroundings. Mr Harrington-Howes has done so much to help others, and the Tokeneke children were excited to be able to get involved. Their fundraising efforts produced the largest donation in their Kids Care Club’s history.

The Groove-a-thon caps off another successful year for the Tokeneke Kids Care Club, which is comprised of 100 students in grades 1-5 and focuses on different aspects of volunteering at monthly meetings throughout the school year. In addition to their work with the Obie Harrington-Howes Foundation, some projects this year included a fundraising and awareness campaign for Paws Animal Shelter in Norwalk, making 400 hand-made holiday gifts for local organizations, collecting sneakers and cleats for the Boys an Girls Club of Stamford and donating hundreds of new toys to children in need. The Kids Care Club continues to live up to Tokeneke’s school motto: Together we can make a difference!