WWE announced Friday that, in honor of Veterans Day, the company will raise one of the largest American flags in the country over WWE’s new headquarters in Stamford.
The flag, which is 3,040 square feet wide and 40 feet tall, will fly as a beacon of patriotism – inspired and honored by all our veterans, especially those soldiers killed in action, the company said.
WWE has a ten-year commitment to the US Military, including visiting nearly 400 military bases around the world, cheering on the US military through Tribute to the Troops annual holiday specials, offering all US military personnel free tickets to live events -WWE and its affiliates. military organizations, such as Hire Heroes USA and the National Medal of Freedom Museum, to make an impact in the community.
Stamford’s nonprofits are receiving financial support
Fifty-seven non-profit projects in Bridgeport and Stamford that uplift the community and strengthen families disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs have been awarded funding from the United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut and the Connecticut Social Equity Council.
UWCWC served as the third partner grant maker for the Community Reinvestment Grant Pilot by the Social Equity Council, which aims to reinvest federal marijuana funds back into affected communities. $900,000 is allocated to each community to support projects in two focus areas: youth education and recreation, and re-entry and reintegration of ex-prisoners and their families.
“Funding these programs will help DIA empower and serve the communities most affected by the war on drugs,” said Ginne-Rae Clay, executive director of the SEC, in a news release. “We look forward to seeing the impact this first round of funding will have on the Bridgeport and Stamford communities and their residents.”
Eighty-four organizations submitted requests for more than $7.5 million, four times the amount of funding available.
Stamford programs receiving assistance included the Project Music Scholars Program, which uses music to address the academic, social and emotional needs of BIPOC students in grades 2 through 12, and the “Invictus Re-Entry Program” for Domus Kids, which provides young people aged 17 to 26 returning from prison with the skills and support to reintegrate into society and remain free.
Funds will be awarded to grantees at events in Stamford on November 17.
The crisis center needs gift cards
The Domestic Violence Crisis Center has announced its Holiday Gift Card and Toy Drive to benefit its community clients and their children.
“The holiday season can be especially challenging for families affected by domestic violence. Many of our clients are new single parents, often without the financial support of an abusive spouse,” said Suzanne Adam, CEO of DVCC, in a news release.
DVCC is seeking community support through donations of gift cards and new, unused toys. Gift cards are a respectful way to empower survivors to buy what they most need or want for their families. Meanwhile, the gift of toys brings joy this holiday season to children who have faced hardships, easing the burden on families during the holidays, the organization said in a release.
The organization asks that all gift cards and beach toys arrive by Dec. 8. Donations can be posted or dropped off weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm at the DVCC office in Stamford.
Anchor Health has been honored for supporting the LGBTQ+ community
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest queer, queer, transgender and civil rights organization, and cable network Showtime announced Anchor Health in Stamford as the recipient of “Queer to Stay: An LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative.” Supporting and promoting small businesses focused on LGBTQ+ people of color, women and the transgender community, “Queer to Stay” ensures that LGBTQ+ businesses can keep their doors open and help their communities, the group announced in a press release.
According to the release, Anchor Health is “the leading health center for the LGBTQ+ community in Connecticut, providing gender-affirming, highly inclusive, gender-sensitive care to more than 3,000 local patients.” The center employs LGBTQ+ physicians, who ensure patients feel welcome, safe and heard while offering a wide range of programs including sexual health care, HIV prevention treatment, behavioral care and case management assistance, the release said.
“We understand how intersecting systems of stress can affect the health and well-being of our patients,” said Patricia Chadwick, Co-Founder and CEO of Anchor Health, in the release. “Approximately one third of our patients have problems with housing, food, transportation or lack of money. These factors can prevent anyone from seeing their doctor regularly or opting out of their continued care. Ensuring access to treatment is important and we are able to continue this important work thanks to the Queer to Stay grant.”
HRC and Showtime are supporting 25 businesses this year, spanning 19 states.
Staff writer Ignacio Laguarda contributed to this report.
