Each year we dedicate part of our November/December issue to celebrating everyday people whose generosity of spirit makes our community (and the world) a better place. They are our “Light a Fire” honorees (page 56). And while they are not looking for any recognition, we are excited to shine a light on all the ways we benefit from their quiet compassion.
Two of the individuals honored this year will be familiar to many readers of this magazine. New Canaanites will recognize Dede Bartlett—if not by face, then certainly by name. Her contributions to our community are obvious to residents listening to a speaker in The Jim and Dede Barlett Auditorium at the New Canaan Library or while touring the similarly titled new museum at the New Canaan Historical Society. But it’s the work that Dede does behind the scenes that often makes the most direct impact on our neighbors in need—particularly her work helping victims of domestic violence (page 64).
Nate Checketts, co-founder of the performance lifestyle brand Rhone, has a similarly unassuming way of showing his compassion for others. If you passed Nate on the Post Road, he might look like any other Darien dad headed off to work or to pick up his kids from after-school activities. But empathy runs deep with Nate and, while he may be juggling all those same things, he is also trying to find ways to combat the mental health crisis we are facing in this country. Whether promoting mental fitness through the Rhone brand or by sponsoring local events and organizations working toward the same goal, Nate is focused on eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health (pages 65 and 92).
There are others, of course. Take New Canaan’s John Gagliardi, founder of Kane Footwear (page 18). If you don’t know what Kanes are, just look down while walking through town or past any sports field after practice and you will see the popular recovery shoe. But you’ll also find them on the feet of every kid at Horizons Kids Camp in Bridgeport, a tuition-free enrichment program that John supports. There’s also jewlery maven Monica Rich Kosann’s (page 68) giving initiative, which supports a variety of causes, including Blessings in a Backpack and Women in Need. Plus, there’s Tanjina and Sharf Quaz of Bang Foods (page 36), who take time out of their busy schedules to deliver food from their café to the local Food Bank.
How fortunate we are to be surrounded by people who are out there spending their time and energy helping others—not looking for recognition, but very much deserving of it.