The Masonic Lodge of Westport Charitable Giving Committee, headed by George Underhill (3rd l), today recognized four local charities with donations of $1,000 each for their outstanding service to the community. Recipients included Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Westport Warm-Up Fund, First Night Westport/Weston, and Al’s Angels. Following the presentations, Santa appeared with gifts for the children attending the Christmas party with their parents and guests. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lorraine Feliciano for WestportNow.com

Members of the Westport Woman’s Club gathered today for the annual holiday food gift card mailings to those in need for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, as well as sending holiday cards to seniors in nursing homes. Chair Dorothy Abrams led the effprt along with fellow club members Linda Clair, Lorraine Feliciano, Pat Jensen, Sue Mahar, Audrey Rabinowitz, Barbara Raffel, Nancy Saipe, Nat Sylander, Marie Taylor, Arlene Thrope, Barbara Wagner and Mary Vickery.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Westport Woman’s Club has installed its new board with Mary Vickery leading the club for 2009-2010. Pictured standing (l-r) are: Amy Schneider, programs; Lorraine Feliciano, communications; Arlene Thrope, community services; Sarajane Lynch, grounds; Doris Smart, programs; Barbara Szefc, treasurer; Joyce Netherton, parliamentary advisor; Rose Jordan, rentals; Dorothy Packer, house; and Carol Goetz, Curio Cottage. Sitting (l-r) are: Linda Clair, first vice president, special interests; Mary Vickery, president; and Barbara Raffel, secretary. Absent from the picture are Susan McCarthy, second vice president, finance; and Clare Clark, membership. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Taking part in the May 3 “Got Mitzvah?” day were volunteer Mel Liebergall, Westport First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff, Steven M. Friedlander, executive director of UJA/Federation Westport Weston Wilton Norwalk, and volunteer Steve Samuels pictured at Interfaith Housing Association’s Bacharach Community. Volunteers gardened and painted at the Bacharach Community as part of the day of service sponsored by UJA/Federation Westport Weston Wilton Norwalk. More than 1,000 volunteers performed a variety of projects to benefit more than 30 charitable organizations throughout the region. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo by Alison Wachstein Photography

Westporter Andy Mondino, a Greens Farms Academy and Westport Soccer Association U-18 player, along with a friend, as a community service project recently organized a soccer tournament at GFA to raise money to help the refugees in Darfur. They raised $1,500 that they gave to Save the Children. Contributed photo

Four Westport couples celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary together Friday night at dinner at Bernard’s in Ridgefield. Together, they celebrated 220 years of wedded bliss. Pictured (l-r) are: Stan and Phyllis Groner; Fred and Cheri Schreiver; Bernie and Jane Perry, and Mort and Phyllis Silverberg. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo