High-School Musicians Raise More Than $3,300 for Habitat Project in Fairfield

Student musicians Ankit Anil, Kim Canzoneri, Bridget Halstead and Bryan Fichera (left to right) recently presented a symbolic check to Lisa Cannella (second from right), chief development officer of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, representing the $3,330 they raised by staging a benefit concert to support a Habitat home repair project in Fairfield.  The students were among 21 local teen musicians, many of them from Fairfield Warde High School, who helped organize and performed in the August 28 concert at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.  The funds, which were raised through ticket sales, a raffle and bake sale, will go to help pay for repairs to the Flynn home at 174 Fairfield Woods Road.

Habitat volunteers renovated the house this past May as part the organization’s Critical Home Repair program.  The house had fallen into serious disrepair as owner Holly Flynn struggled with the loss of her eyesight and, as a single mom, caring for her two disabled sons on a very small income.

The students decided to stage the benefit concert when they heard that $6,000 was still needed to pay for the repairs.  The performers included Nick Anagnost, Ankit Anil, Timmy Boardman, Cara Brundage, Kim Canzoneri, Ryan Cyr, Claire and Jack Feeney, Bryan Fichera, Carly Georgen, Colleen Granburg, Bridget Halstead, Sarah Hassleberger, Zoe Haley-Johnson, Evan Lauterborn, Isaiah Mansour, Kayla Muldoon, Ben Rudolph, Jared Smith, Jesse Spears, and Jack Ullman.  The musicians played a wide variety of music – from classical to reggae.

Other students who helped with the concert included Billy Brennan, Jessica Clark, Ryan Crudgington, Sarah Green, Maggie Halstead, Leighann Muldoon, Lindsey Reuter and Michaela Wenger.

Local merchants who supported the event with food and raffle-prize donations included A&S Fine Italian Foods, Billy’s Bakery, Cardsmart, Chili Bomb, Country Cow Deli, David Mac, European Wax Center, Fairfield University Bookstore, Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Gyro Grill, J. Albert Johnson Jewelers, Massage Envy, Miller Hallmark, Primo Pizza, Total Look Salon, Tracy Nails, Ralph ‘n’ Rich’s Restaurant, Shop Rite, Westport Music Center, Viale Italian Restaurant, and Waggie’s Dog Salon.