The weatherman predicted afternoon thunderstorms for Thursday, June 17^th, but that didn’t stop 40 enthusiastic GE Real Estate volunteers from hosting the second annual Carnival for Kids for over 100 Family Centers’ preschoolers who participate in its early childhood education and Head Start programs. As the cumulonimbus clouds clustered over Roger Sherman Baldwin Park and the first flash of lightening summoned Frank Tiriolo of the Greenwich Parks Department to assist the GE team, a call came in from Family Centers’ preschool headquarters: “Bring the carnival to the kids!” 

With the swiftness of a summer Nor’easter, the GE team created three portable carnival celebrations, complete with games, prizes, face painting, refreshments and a clown. Trailed by a cameraman from Connecticut News12, the GE “carnival express” surprised the preschoolers at Arch Street Preschool, Gateway Preschool and Kids Corner/Giant Steps Head Start, who were just waking from their afternoon naps. 

While Marissa Moretti, GE’s vice president of corporate communications and Susan Dorflinger, GE Real Estate’s senior communications manager handled the television reporter’s interview, the rest of the GE crew, together at Family Centers as part of the company’s “Global Community Days,” supervised the tossing of bean bags, basketballs, rings and bowling balls.  There were winners every time, so each child went home with a backpack full of prizes and treats. The only thing missing was external affairs manager Steve Crew’s “super soaker,” which wasn’t really missed, as the GE folks were already soaked, yet thankfully warmed by the cheerfulness of our children!
 

Through the past several decades, volunteers have contributed countless hours of dedicated time and given personal devotion to Family Centers’ 28 education and human service programs.  GE Real Estate’s support of Family Centers’ early childhood education and Head Start programs through this GE employee volunteer initiative is a valuable contribution for which we at Family Centers are very grateful.

Everywhere GE does business, one of its top priorities is being a good corporate citizen. That means taking an active role in the communities where its employees live and work. Investing millions of dollars in community-building efforts, GE focuses resources in the areas of education, critical community needs and cultural development.  Last year alone GE Real Estate Stamford-area employees contributed over 3,000 volunteer hours in support of community organizations, including Family Centers.

Family Centers extends a very special thanks to GE champion, Jennifer Phelps, GE sponsor Tony Kinnel and the Steve Crews’ crew for an afternoon of “imagination at play” with the children from our early childhood education and Head Start programs.  While it rained outside, the kids’ faces did shine.