The Outreach program of the First Presbyterian Church Nursery School is an important part of how we define ourselves as a community of children and families.

In the past several years we have been enhancing our outreach relationships, adding new ways to respond to the needs of young children and their families. The following is a representative sampling of the ongoing Mission and Outreach activities in which we have been involved:

Giving Thanks & Sharing Blessings

Food and baby needs collected during Thanksgiving week. Recipients have included:

• St. Lukes Life Works – Stamford, CT

• The Carver Center – Port Chester, NY

• The Greenwich Department of Social Services

• The Head Start Program at Armstrong Court – Greenwich, CT (Our newest outreach partner. This year 900+ food items were collected and volunteer delivered to the Armstrong Court Food Pantry)

Book Fair

75+ brand new books donated by families, personally inscribed and delivered to the children enrolled in the Head Start program at Armstrong Court.

Christmas Toy Sharing, Teen Gift Baskets, Holiday Food Vouchers and the Hat & Mitten Tree

100+ brand new toys as well as teen gift baskets distributed by the Greenwich Dept. of Social Services this year. 125 hats and mittens donated to Neighbor to Neighbor of Greenwich and the Stamford Dept. of Social Services.

B.Y.O.B.G — Bring Your Old Baby Gear (This year's dates and details)

An overwhelming number of new and gently used baby/toddler items and much-needed basic supplies (diapers, wipes etc.) donated by our families and distributed to those in need. Recipients have included:

This year (4/26/08) the project has been greatly expanded with some corporate sponsorship, a greater investment in time, energy and effort and a larger number of recipient families arranged though the Greenwich Dept. of Social Services. Child care as well as delivery of selected items to recipient families has been included in the planning. For questions regarding this event, please contact co-chairs Nicole Nardella at or Amy Albright at .

Hope in a Backpack

When Hurricane Katrina struck, 60+ backpacks filled with basic school supplies and a comforting stuffed animal were sent through a Presbyterian Church in Mississippi to support the many victims of this tragedy.

Pancakes & Playmates

Our first and original character pancake breakfast was held in November 2007 to subsidize our newest outreach partnership with Head Start at Armstrong Court. Numerous volunteers organized the event and served over 250 guests in the new Fellowship Hall. Blues Clues and Dora the Explorer were also on hand – what a day!