First Selectman Mike Tetreau and Human Services Director Terry Giegengack held a press conference yesterday at the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities to announce a new Discount Programs & Services for Seniors Brochure — the first to be published by a Senior Center in Southwest CT.
Also in attendance were the Bigelow Center volunteers and staff who worked on this project, Human Services Commission Chair Bruce Carter, Community and Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart and Chamber of Commerce President Beverly Balaz.
When Fairfield seniors Bob Frigo and Nora Cooper separately approached Human Services Director Terry Giegengack with the idea to see how many local businesses offer discounts to seniors, the Bigelow Center eagerly took on this project. Volunteer Coordinator Cathy Rotanz and her assistant Millie Klein recruited other Bigelow Center volunteers who worked with project leader Nora Cooper and the Center’s staff. The Bigelow Center collaborated with the Fairfield Community and Economic Development Department and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and also received assistance from various town departments on this initiative.
Ms. Cooper and Ms. Klein created 12 Walking Routes encompassing the Post Road, Kings Highway, Tunxis Hill, Black Rock Turnpike, Greenfield Hill and Southport areas of town. The walking routes were then given to volunteers who went door to door to as many businesses as possible to gather information for the brochure.
As a result of these volunteer efforts, over 100 local businesses and the Town’s two universities, Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University, are featured in the brochure. Discounts and free services provided by the Town of Fairfield are also listed.
First Selectman Tetreau said, “This is another great example of how The Bigelow Center continues to provide wonderful opportunities for Fairfield’s seniors. Not only does this initiative benefit seniors, it also helps our local businesses continue to thrive. I wish to thank the Bigelow Center’s volunteer committee and staff, the various town departments that assisted, and Fairfield’s local business community on this successful collaboration.”
Human Services Director Terry Giegengack stated, “The Bigelow Center and the Fairfield community are very fortunate to have these volunteer senior ambassadors! We thank the volunteers for enriching the lives of others with their generous goodwill.”
Click here to see the Senior Discounts Brochure online.
The brochure is also featured on the Human Services webpage, www.fairfieldct.org/humanservices and the Bigelow Center’s webpage, www.fairfieldct.org/bigelowcenter.
Hard copies can be obtained at:
- All of the locations listed in the brochure
- The Bigelow Center for Senior Activities—100 Mona Terrace
- Old Town Hall-611 Old Post Road
- Community and Economic Development Department-611 Old Post Road
- Independence Hall-725 Old Post Road
- Fairfield Chamber of Commerce-1597 Post Road
- Parks and Recreation Department-75 Mill Plain Road
- Police Department-100 Reef Road
- Fire Department-140 Reef Road
- Fairfield Public Library-1080 Post Road
- Fairfield Woods Branch Library-1147 Fairfield Woods Road
- Pequot Library-720 Pequot Library
Businesses wishing to participate can be added anytime to the online brochure by contacting
the Bigelow Center at 203-256-3166.
Chamber of Commerce President Beverly Balaz stated, “The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is so happy to be part of this new senior discount initiative. Every little bit of savings helps, plus this keeps spending dollars local and within the Fairfield business community.”
The photo shows from left to right: Volunteer Bob Frigo, Volunteer Coordinator Cathy Rotanz, Project Leader Nora Cooper, First Selectman Mike Tetreau, Human Services Director Terry Giegengack, Program Coordinator Margaret Andrews, Commerce President Beverly Balaz, and Community and Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart.