Diageo North America Employees Revitalize STAR Center in Norwalk to Benefit Neighbors with Disabilities

More than 100 employees from Diageo North America’s finance team undertook a transformational service project at the STAR, Inc. Lighting the Way center in Norwalk this week.  STAR is a nonprofit organization that has provided services to individuals with developmental disabilities in mid-Fairfield County since 1952. 

Diageo North America’s Norwalk-based finance team has held an annual community service event for the last twelve years.  This year they chose to restore the outdoor environment of a local community resource that creates opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth.  A client of STAR is employed at the Diageo Norwalk office on Main Avenue as part of STAR’s competitive employment program in the community.

Over the course of the day, the enthusiastic team of volunteers undertook the following:

• Brought in nine tons of gravel and eight tons of stone dust which they used to build wheelchair accessible pathways and patios

• Installed and prepared two gardens for garden therapy and healthy eating classes

• Built a serenity garden with meditation benches in the facility’s atrium so that it can be enjoyed year-round

• Spread over six truckloads of mulch, and planted beautiful landscaping in the front of the facility to welcome guests

• Repaired and refinished old picnic tables and benches, and built new ones

• Donated patio equipment