Community League builds connections and supports students

For more than a century, the Weston Community League has brought residents together to help their neighbors. Today, its members organize town events, host social gatherings and award scholarships to Weston High School seniors. The League is currently seeking to include new people and to diversify the age range of its membership.

Founded in 1919, the organization was originally called the Women’s Community League of Weston. Its early projects included bringing milk and hot lunches to Weston schools. The group later changed its name to the Weston Community League to welcome both women and men.

“We wanted to be inclusive,” said former League president Leslye Fligor.

The organization kept its initials, WCL, along with the tagline “building community since 1919.” The League now describes its work as philanthropic, social and educational. Its largest charitable effort is its scholarship program, which provides financial support to many graduating seniors.

“A lot of people think that Weston is so wealthy and people don’t have need, but that’s a myth,” said Lisa
Cukier, a WCL board member and chair of the scholarship committee.“There are people in Weston that have needs.”

The League awarded $35,000 in scholarships last year. The awards include both needs-based scholarships and awards recognizing achievements in many academic subjects.

For the committee, meeting the applicants is an important part of the process. Committee members interview students to learn about their goals and the challenges they have faced.

“You would never know unless you ask these questions,” Cukier said. “These students are so forthcoming, and they let you know what challenges they have mastered, and struggled through.”

Those conversations allow the committee to consider more than a student’s grades and activities.

“We get to really make a good selection, not only based on numbers, and grades, and achievements, and resume, but also based on who the person is,” Cukier said.

The League’s community eventsgive residents another way to connect. Its calendar includes a tree lighting, Christmas Eve caroling, Friendsgiving and smaller gatherings, such as book club meetings and social outings.

“We bring the Weston residents together for brunches and lunches,” Cukier said. Members also hold Social Sips, gatherings at restaurants for drinks and conversation. At Friendsgiving, guests gather at the Josiah Smith Tavern for conversation and a shared meal. The event gives residents an opportunity to meet people without needing to commit to a board position or a volunteer project first.

“You come and go as you want,” Cukier said. “It’s sort of like an open house.”

Other events are open to the wider town. The annual tree lighting brings families and local businesses together at the start of the holiday season. The League also sponsors Christmas Eve caroling at the Josiah Smith Tavern, providing candles and song sheets to anyone who wants to join in.

“I think living in a small town like Weston gives you the ability to really connect with others,” Fligor said. “Connecting in an organization like the Community League brings you so much closer to your fellow townspeople.”

Many of Weston’s homes are far apart, and opportunities to meet other residents through school events can become less frequent as children grow older. The League’s gatherings give people another reason to get together.

“This is just a great way to get to know people in the community, and to meet like-minded people, and to really develop enduring friendships,” Cukier said.

Keeping those events going requires volunteers. Board members meet monthly, dividing tasks such as arranging donations, sending invitations and promoting programs. With more volunteers, the work could be shared among more people.

“We would love to have more board members, and just more members generally, just to share the fun and the work,” Cukier said.

The League is seeking someone to manage its social media as Cukier prepares to leave that board position. She will remain on the scholarship committee. Residents can also help with individual events or join as members.

Attending a gathering, joining a book club or helping with one event can be a starting point for someone who wants to get involved.

“No matter what your age, whether you are brand new to town or have been living in Weston for years, the Community League offers a chance to experience the magic of small town living,” Fligor said.

The League hopes to award more scholarship money and continue serving Weston for years to come.

Residents interested in joining the board can contact Cukier or President Marianne Riordan.
“The most meaningful relationships I’ve had since moving to Weston have been working side by side with our Weston residents,” Fligor said. “And making a difference in our community.”