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03/22/2020 12:00 AMAssisted by therapy dogs Disney and Peace and loaded up with donations of cookies, flowers and more from local business, Branford's Carolyn Sires and some neighborhood volunteers set out to stop by the doors of their elderly Parkside Village neighbors to deliver some safe-distance cheer on Saturday, March 21.
Sires, who also represents Branford's District 5 as a member of the Representative Town Meeting, is a therapy specialist who works with the elderly and military veterans, as well as a certified Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD) dog handler. Concerned that seniors in her neighborhood may be feeling isolated and shut-in as the town and state continue to respond to COVID-19 precautions and restrictions, she put out a call for help with the project earlier in the week.
"We need to share something good to balance all this frightening news," said Sires.
The bags, which were packaged by neighbors while "keeping our social distance," said Sires, included treats like cookies and tangelos and even a scented air freshener, together with individual pansy plants. The effort was supported by the Indian Neck Civic Association and by donations from Branford businesses Caron's Corner, Shelley's Garden Center and Branford. Sires especially thanks Caron's Corner owner Linda Birbarie, Shelley's Garden Center owner Joseph Chambers and Branford Car Wash owner Jose Gosp for their support.
On Saturday, Disney, Peace, Sires and neighbors Jen Ryan and J. Canavan packed up a wheelbarrow of goodie bags and headed out to deliver the bags to doorsteps at homes Parkside Village. Sires said that, even from a distance, the K9 support did its magic, working to,"...just get a smile from the people who need it the most."
Located on South Montowese Street and Block Island Road, Parkside Village I and Parkside Village II provide affordable housing to elderly Branford residents as well as adults with disabilities. Following the day's deliveries, Parkside Village Residents Association president James Kavanaugh put out a thank you on the Indian Neck Facebook page, saying, "...on behalf of the residents of Parkside Village, I would like to thank Carolyn Sires, the neighborhood residents and Branford businesses who donated packages to our tenants. Special shout out to Shelly's Garden Center, Caron's Corner and Branford Car Wash."
Sires thanked all of the neighbors and businesses who stepped up to help with the idea.
"This town is just truly amazing," she said.