Staying Put maintains an active presence in New Canaan.
Keep up with our latest news!
Conversations with the Community: Staying Put. March 6, 2025
Over the past decade, I’ve observed my friends struggling with how to support their aging parents. Some have relocated them closer for easier care, while others have assisted them in staying in their homes and aging in place. The concept of aging in place, a term used to describe people living in their chosen residence as they grow older, began gaining traction in the 1970s and became more prominent in the 1980s and 1990s.
My husband and I did a bit of both. We moved to Florida to be close to my mother. He was retired, and I traveled for work so we could live anywhere while she remained in her home.
Letter to Editor – Staying Put’s Summer Soiree at Waveny House. June 22, 2024
Dear Editor,
On Thursday June 6th, Staying Put in New Canaan held their annual Summer Soirée. The fundraiser allows our member-based, volunteer-supported, nonprofit organization to help older New Canaan residents live confidently at home and stay engaged in the community by providing practical services and social connections.
A cross-section of New Canaanites – from Board members and donors, to volunteers, members and friends – gathered at Waveny House to enjoy the celebration with food from Chef Jeff’s BBQ & Catering and music courtesy of volunteer, Kevin Stagg.
Staying Put is Looking for Drivers. April 26, 2024
Staying Put in New Canaan, the non-profit that helps New Canaan seniors stay confidently in their homes and connected to the community, is looking for volunteer drivers. It’s a flexible and gratifying experience for volunteers that significantly impacts the quality of life for local residents.
Staying Put drivers help members get to medical appointments, classes, do grocery shopping, or other odds and ends in and around New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Darien and Wilton. Our drivers log in to a ride requests platform to sign up for rides that fit into their schedules.
Staying Put in New Canaan: More than Just Rides. March 22, 2024
We know that New Canaan is a great place to raise a family, but how lucky are we that it’s also a great place to “age well,” with an organization like Staying Put in New Canaan that offers a multitude of services to seniors on a daily basis to help them stay in their home, enjoy an active social life and benefit from the multi-faceted and highly personal support of our tight-knit community.
Did You Hear: Staying Put and Lapham Host Appraisal Day. March 21, 2024
Staying Put in New Canaan and Lapham Community Center on Wednesday co-hosted an appraisal day with specialists from the New York City-based auction house Bonham’s. Specialists met with New Canaan residents to review pieces from their collections, from fine art to jewelry. Afterwards, Stefany Morris, head of Impressionist & Modern Art for Bonham’s, led a discussion about the art market, selling at auction and the types of appraisals that New Canaan residents might find most helpful.
Did You Hear: Staying Put Welcomed New Board Members. January 12, 2024
Staying Put in New Canaan this week welcomed new Board members Ken Gammill Jr., Carrie Deane Corcoran, Lyn Chivvis, Diane Knetzger, Tom Ferguson and Christine Dombrowski Ayoub. They join President Peter Ziesing, Vice President Mimi Pitt, Secretary Susie Catlin, Treasurer Paul Bamatter, Ray Boller, Dr. Sherman Bull, Doug Gillespie, Jim Hilboldt, Ralph Hills, Tracey Karl, John Kerchoff, Donna Simone and Tom Stadler.
Did You Hear: New Canaan Cares Craft Club. December 21, 2023
Staying Put in New Canaan had local youth create holiday gifts for its members. The organization distributed dozens of heartfelt holiday arts and crafts created by New Canaan CARES/New Canaan Library CARES Crafts Club as well as gingerbread houses made by Girl Scout Troop 50175. “Staying Put’s senior citizens were delighted to receive cheerful holiday greetings from the children,” the organization said.
Holiday Goodies Made By Local Girls Scouts Troops. December 20, 2023
Staying Put in New Canaan was so pleased to have local youth create wonderful holiday gifts for its members. Staying Put distributed dozens of heartfelt holiday arts and crafts created by New Canaan CARES/New Canaan Library CARES Crafts Club as well as gingerbread houses made by Girl Scout Troop 50175. Staying Put’s senior citizens were delighted to receive cheerful holiday greetings from the children.
Did You Hear: Poinsettia Delivery. December 14, 2023
More than 25 community volunteers made special holiday deliveries of poinsettia plants to the homes of over 200 members of Staying Put in New Canaan. “This effort helped make a real difference in the lives of many New Canaan seniors who appreciated the outreach and the festive holiday wishes,” the organziation said in a press release. “Staying Put thanks the many kind volunteers who provide such important services to the community and to the generous donor who wished to remain anonymous for the benevolent underwriting of the poinsettias.”
Letter to the Editor: Volunteer Holiday Party. December 7, 2023.
A Volunteer Holiday Party with caroling and dinner was held in appreciation of the more than 80 dedicated volunteers who serve Staying Put in New Canaan.
Staying Put extends our sincere thanks to all our volunteers for their commitment. These ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ provide essential services to seniors including transportation, errands, grocery shopping, visits, help at home, technology support, and more. This assistance helps older New Canaan residents live confidently at home and stay engaged in the community.
To date this year volunteers have provided: 1,691 rides traveling over 18,000 miles; almost 350 visits for shopping, errands, help around the home, and tech support; over 500 hours of service in the office; and 450 hours of Board service. Without our volunteers we would not be able to offer the level of service that New Canaan seniors have come to cherish.
Many thanks to the First Presbyterian Church and their staff for generously providing the lovely setting.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or joining Staying Put, please contact us at [email protected] or 203-966-7762.
Did You Hear: Service League of Boys (SLOBs) Assist Staying Put Members with Patio Furniture. November 9, 2023.
Staying Put in New Canaan members were delighted to have The Service League of Boys (SLOBs) help bring in patio furniture last weekend. This has become a yearly tradition and members say they look forward to seeing the SLOBs this Spring bring out their patio furniture for the season.
On Wednesday June 7th, Staying Put in New Canaan hosted our annual fundraiser, the Summer Soirée. Poor air quality due to the Canadian wildfires caused us to pivot to an indoor celebration but it did not deter our loyal supporters. We were delighted to have over 100 guests come out to enjoy good food, good music, and good company at Waveny House.
Thank you to the generous businesses that supported the Summer Soirée: Benefactor Sponsors: Betsy and Fred Afragola and the Anderson Fund. Champion Sponsors: American Industrial Partners; Brickley Law; Francos Wine Merchants; Halo Fitness – Anthony Domino; Karl Chevrolet Co.; Karp Associates – The Karp Family; Walter Stewart’s Market; and Waveny LifeCare Network. Supporter Sponsors: DEANE, Inc.; Hobbs, Inc.; Hutchinson Tree Care Specialists Inc.; New Canaan Board of Realtors; New Canaan Foreign Car Service; Reynolds + Rowella Accounting and Consulting. Friend Sponsors: AC Auto Body & Mechanical Service; The Country Club of New Canaan; Amy and Fabio Freyre; Denise Gannalo Realtor; Paul Harbottle DDS – New Canaan Dentistry; Dorcas and Ralph Hills; HTG Investment Advisors Inc.; Lampert, Toohey & Rucci, LLC; Lions Club of New Canaan; and Rand Insurance.
Staying Put in New Canaan announced this week that it had hired Kate Brambilla as Manager of Member Services. Kate has been a town resident since December 2020. After seeing a SPNC bumper sticker on a car while driving through town, Kate decided to become a volunteer.
Staying Put in New Canaan in the days before Valentine’s Day mailed hundreds of heartfelt valentines to members, thanks to a friend of the organization who graciously donated envelopes and postage. The valentines were created by New Canaan children in Girl Scout Troop 50175 and 50292, East Elementary School, West Elementary School, and First Presbyterian Nursery School.
Staying Put in New Canaan is welcoming new Board members Paul Bamatter, Doug Gillespie, Jim Hilboldt and John Kerchoff. They join: Tom Stadler, President; Peter Ziesing, Vice-President; Susie Catlin, Secretary; Tracy Karl, Treasurer; Betsy Afragola; Ray Boller; Dr. Sherman Bull; Ralph Hills; Judy Johnson; Joel Pelzner; Mimi Pitt; and Donna Simone in contributing their knowledge and expertise to Staying Put.
Staying Put’s fundraising goal this year is to raise enough funds to cover operating expenses. Membership dues are at affordable levels and do not cover all expenses. Staying Put receives no town, state or federal funding and depends on support from the community.
Thank you for supporting Staying Put in New Canaan and allowing us to provide important services to New Canaan seniors, their loved ones, and the entire community!
We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to our gracious hostess, Lila Coleman, our generous sponsors, and our dedicated volunteers.
See Staying Put in New Canaan in the Parade – starting at about 19:30 in the video!
The New Canaan Advertiser interviews Gina Blum on her joining Staying Put in New Canaan as executive director, inviting her to share her plans for the future.
This week 0684-Radi0 talks to Gina Blum, the new executive director at Staying Put in New Canaan.
Staying Put in New Canaan
58 Pine Street
PO Box 484
New Canaan, CT 06840
203-966-7762
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