11th Annual STAR Walk, 5K Run and Roll A Success Despite Rain

Over $90,000 was raised at the 11th Annual STAR Walk, 5K Run and Roll at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, CT on Sunday, May 1, 2016. The event benefited individuals who have intellectual disabilities and programs offered by STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way.

Katie Banzhaf, Executive Director of STAR said, “We are so grateful for the families, sponsors and supporters who supported us and came out in the rain. This event has grown to become one of the favorite events all year for our clients and their families—and it was a wonderful day this year, as well. We are so humbled and tremendously grateful for all the support this year from our families and community supporters.”

Although the day was rainy, nearly 400 attendees enjoyed the fundraiser and family fun day in the covered pavilion at Sherwood Island State Park, and completed the 1-mile walk or 3-mile run. Attendees enjoyed breakfast and lunch donated by area businesses, children’s activities and demonstrations by area organizations. The Walk included appearances by Miss Connecticut USA Tiffani Teixeira, notable runners Chaz Davis, Amy Dixon and James Randon, children’s activities and demonstrations by Earthplace of Westport, FUNBUS, Painted You face painting, balloon art and air brush tattooes,.a traditional Maypole demonstration led by Bill Fischer, Norwalk High School ROTC Color Guard and NHS singer James Hobayan, Miss Connecticut USA Tiffani Teixeira and Chaz Davis, Amy Dixon and James Randon, notable area Connecticut runners. Also in attendance were Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, State Representative Gail Lavielle and Westport Selectman Avi Kaner.

Top Overall Winners of the 5K Run were (Men) Pedro Yupa of Port Chester, Greg Grambling of Darien, Lee Gardella of Darien, Michael Carney of Norwalk, Glen Colello of Fairfield, Robert Scoville of Southport, Steve Sylvestro of Fairfield. Top Overall Winners (Women) included Amy Dixon of Greenwich, Emilia Veroude of New Canaan, Sienna Veroude of New Canaan, Kristina Ebert of Trumbull, Marta Korytkowski of Norwalk, Katherine Grambling of Darien, Deborah Moran of Norwalk, Marie Cotter of Stamford and Deb Sylvestro of Fairfield.

Sponsors and Top Teams were: Bankwell, the Bagnati family, Katie Banzhaf, Bartlett Tree Experts, Laura Blair, Callari Auto Group, Charles Berg, the Bosworth family, Connecticut Community Bank, the Danaher family, Eastern Land Management, Fairfield County Bank, the Flynn family, Garavel Subaru, Lee Gardella, Gen Re, the Herbst family, Honda of Westport, KBI-a division of People’s United Insurance, King Industries, the Komansky family, the Levy family, MBI, the Marchesi family, O’Brien House, People’s United Bank, the Piorkowski family, Prospect Hill Foundation, Sandy Hill Foundation, STAR Kids- Families of Rubino Family Center, the Timperman family, W.B. Mason and Wusthof.

In-Kind Sponsors for the event were: Achieve Fitness, Agape Yoga, Black Duck Café, Black Hawk Fishing, Laura Blair, Blue Mercury, Born of Earth Spa, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Mrs. Victoria Butler, Cain Management, The Cake Box, ChalkTalk.com, Coco Spa, Connecticut Business Systems, Country Convenience, Maggie Coyne Jewelry, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Duchess Restaurants, Dunkin Donuts, Fresh Market, Harbor Yard Sports & Entertainment, HiTek Racing, Icecalator, J&J Oil Service, The Lime Café, Massage Envy, Miggs B Design, Miguel Cruz Photography, Milly Rae’s, Nash’s Nails, New York Bakery, Norwalk Seaport Association, Orem’s Diner, Outback Steakhouse, Panera Breads, Paper Source, PEPSI, Roly Poly, Salon DeMatteo, Saugatuck Sweets, The Silver Ribbon, SOSO Chic, Ltd., Stop & Shop, Sweet Frog’s Yogurt, Sweet Sabrina’s Shop, Trader Joe’s, Tutti’s Ristorante, Village Bagels, Village Market, Whole Foods Markets of Darien.

In addition, hundreds of volunteers made this event possible. Volunteers from Norwalk High School, People’s United Bank, Weston High School, Norwalk Community College, Darien High School, Westport Fire Department, Westport EMS, Fairfield Preparatory School, Rubberband, Bankwell, STAR staff and family and special volunteers Laura Blair, Judy Bosworth and Jenn Komansky were integral to this event taking place.

STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization serving individuals of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families. STAR creates opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy while informing and encouraging the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals.

For more information about STAR or to learn more about individual and corporate volunteer opportunities, visit www.STARct.org or contact Megan Johnson at 203-846-9581 x339.

Photo 1: Winners of each age category of 5K Run pose for photo.
Photo 2: Members of Team Ariel pose for a photo. Many are family members or friends of the Levy family of Westport.
Photo 3: James Hobayan of Norwalk High School sings the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Photo 4- Chaz Davis, notable paralympic runner with Miss Connecticut USA Tiffani Teixeira
Photo 5- Amy Dixon, paralympic runner and member of Team USA, speaks at the Walk and 5K Run
Photo 6- Miss Connecticut USA Tiffani Teixeira with the Veroude family of New Canaan
Photo 7- Attendees participate in a Maypole demonstration led by Bill Fischer