The Darien Youth Commission, which develops enrichment programs and activities for youth, invites all to help reach its exciting goal: to set a Guinness World Records® by hosting the world’s largest arm-linked toast at Darien Town Hall on Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m. Anyone interested, from any community or of any age, is encouraged to come out and help break the record. “This is truly intended to be a multi-generational event, including young and old,” said Alicia Sillars, Youth Director of the DYC. “We are hoping members of other communities will participate as well. The more the merrier.”
The DYC, comprised of both adults and high school students, challenged its student members to develop a new event for 2015. The students came up with the idea of the world’s largest arm-linked toast, and to gain excitement for the event, suggested teaming up with Guinness World Records®. The current record for an arm-linked-toast is 495 people.
Creating the world’s largest arm-linked toast is a chance for anyone from any city or town to participate in a county-wide, and possibly world record-breaking, event. The DYC is encouraging individuals, groups, families and businesses to participate. “This is such a fun opportunity for anyone to become part of setting a world record. And it couldn’t be easier, you just show up, and toast!” said DYC member, Alexander Berardino. The event is estimated to take less than 30 minutes, allowing participants to line up in the gymnasium of the town hall, and make a quick toast with distributed water bottles.
Those who would like to participate should arrive at the Darien Town Hall gymnasium at 2 Renshaw Road by 2:00 p.m. on January 31. Additionally, DYC students are hoping to benefit Person-to-Person by promoting a “Stuff a Truck” campaign the day of the event. Participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation to benefit the P2P food pantry. Suggested donations include spaghetti sauce, cereal, canned or dried soups, pancake mix, rice, beans, or macaroni and cheese.
The Youth Commission students were also responsible for meeting with local businesses to secure financial sponsorship. To date, local sponsors include Jeff Scalise Building Contractor, Baywater Properties, Darien Sport Shop, Ring’s End, Masonic Club of Darien, Nielsen’s Florist, Dr. David Osherow, DDS, Merrill Lynch, Palmer’s Market, First County Bank and Floor Covering Warehouse. Sponsors will additionally be at the event to offer community support.
“This is a fun and exciting challenge for all involved,” said Jayme Stevenson, First Selectman for the Town of Darien. “The Youth Commission is fulfilling their directive by creating this thrilling event.”
In addition, the students on the DYC are reaching out to organizations and agencies to partner with this event. “We are hopeful that these groups will be able to promote this event to their members and constituents, offer “personnel” the day of the event to help things run smoothly, and to provide lots of participants!” added Sillars. For additional information and to learn how you can be involved in this record-breaking event, go to www.darienct.gov/yc or call 203-656-7388.