Bringing a Gift To Terry Darden 12 2 15
Uploaded by Michael Dinan on 2015-12-02.
The New Canaan woman who kickstarted a fundraising campaign to help out a beloved crossing guard who needed $3,000 to get his car fixed on Wednesday afternoon delivered news of a grassroots community-wide effort to help him.
Terry Darden teared up when he learned (see video above) what had come so far from the Go Fund Me campaign launched by Carolyn Vermeer Ditlevsen, a South School mom who has gotten to know the crossing guard over the past few years and holds him in high esteem, as so many do.
Carolyn Vermeer Ditlevsen and Terry Darden, on Dec. 2, 2015. Credit: Michael Dinan
By the time he learned about it, the campaign was approaching $8,000, with more than 160 people contributing.
“I just thank the Lord I have people that pass me every day, reach out and touch me like I touch other people,” Darden told NewCanaanite.com moments after receiving the gift, standing at his post by the blinking light at South Avenue and Gower Road. “This is absolutely great and I appreciate it. I don’t know how to thank no more than say thank you, thank you. Keep thanking you.”
Darden, a Norwalk resident, would have had to forego a planned trip to see his mom in Florida in order to get his car fixed, and now can do both—and then some. (The car should be ready by Friday, he said.)
Ditlevsen and Nancy Roeder, joined by Ditlevsen’s son Owen, surprised Darden by presenting him with an oversized card that included this message, as well as an image from the fundraising page itself showing how much had been given:
Terry, you are such a ray of sunshine in our community. You keep our kids safe and our spirits bright. You always have a smile for everyone, and a treat for every dog. When the New Canaan Community heard about your broken down car, they wanted to help! We hope this gift will help make your holiday joyful. We hope you have a wonderful visit with our mother. We appreciate you Terry!!! Happy Holidays, The New Canaan Community
Told that he would need to log into the GoFundMe website in order to retrieve the funds, Darden said: “I don’t have a website.” Ditlevsen said she would sit down with him later in the day to create an email address and get him set up.
Known to scores of locals not only as the smiling crossing guard with the dog treats at South and Gower, but also as an employee of Walgreens on Pine Street, Darden said he is grateful to the town and to Police Chief Leon Krolikowski specifically “for giving me the opportunity to be a crossing guard for the town of New Canaan, and also for the two people that told me about the job, Jim George and Bill Ferri.”
“I want those guys to know how much I appreciate what they got me into by doing this,” he said.
Darden said his ultimate goal would be to pick up full-time work with the town in maintenance while continuing his part-time job as a crossing guard.
To the Board of Selectman: your next full time hire to any position that Terry has credentials to learn and perform must be given to him. He has earned all our respect and shown us his enormous work ethic and people skills. A kind heart and breath of fresh air.
Terry is a hard worker, always positive and a blessing to so many in New Canaan. He would be an asset to any organization. God bless those that helped him in his time of need and God bless Terry as he drives to visit his beloved mom.
So touching!!
I know Terry from Walgreens and is always working hard and makes sure when he sees me he says hello and asks how I am. I then saw him as a crossing guard on South Ave as he had mentioned he was trying to get a job as a janitor at one of the schools but was turned down so I was happy to see him on South Ave. He always waves to me if he can when I drive by and is so devoted to his job. He stands out there even when it is pouring rain, unlike the other man on the corner of South Ave and Farm Road. I often see him sitting in his truck while kids are trying to cross the busy intersection and get very upset about that. So well deserved for Terry to get help from such thoughtful people. It is rare and hats off to all that have hearts and help someone in need that deserves a break!