Palmer's Market sells stars for seventh annual STAR walk

Palmer's Market of Darien is participating in the seventh annual "Stars for STAR" fundraising campaign in support of the STAR Walk, Roll and Stroll. The campaign runs through April 22.

"We encourage everyone in the community to purchase `Stars for STAR.' We accept any size donations," Cindy Palmer, co-owner of Palmer's Market, said.

Through April 22, Palmer's employees will sell the "Stars for STAR" at their location at 264 Heights Road in Darien. The money raised from "Stars for STAR" will benefit STAR programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Mid-Fairfield County, including programs for early intervention and children birth to age 3, physical, occupational, developmental and speech therapies, advocacy, job training and placement, residential living, day programs and transportation throughout Fairfield County, senior programs, recreational activities, school-to-work transition programs at Norwalk Community College and more. STAR maintains 10 group homes and 12 independent living facilities, including a group home for six adults with developmental disabilities in Darien. The Darien residents are able to live and work independently yet also remain close to their families who are also in town.

The "Stars for STAR" will be collected and strung along the paths of the seventh annual STAR Walk Roll & Stroll at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport on Sunday, May 6. The event will be chaired this year by the Piorkowski family of Darien: Edward, Catherine and daughter Hope Piorkowski.

Check-in begins at 10:15 a.m. and the walk begins at 11:30 a.m., with two walking routes to choose from: 5K (3.1 miles) and 1.6K (one mile). Approximately 800 walkers and volunteers are expected to attend. The event benefits STAR's services and programs for infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities throughout mid-Fairfield County.

The STAR Walk, Roll & Stroll features two walking paths for people of all ages at Sherwood Island State Park, a seaside location. The walk begins at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 6. Attendees enjoy an assortment of family-oriented demonstrations and activities such as face painting, arts and crafts, music, drumming, clowns, cultural demonstrations, games, lunch and snacks.

For more about the walk, visit www.starinc-lightingtheway.org.

or call Megan Johnson at STAR at 203-846-9581, ext. 339.

STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a nonprofit organization serving individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families.