This year’s honoree, Anita Donofrio, in front of the village mural in the lobby of the Ridgefield Playhouse.
It will be a time for reflection and celebration when the town of Ridgefield remembers Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 20, from 3 to 4:30 at the Ridgefield Playhouse.
The public is invited to this event, being held for the first time at the Playhouse under the auspices of the town of Ridgefield.
The Serendipity Chorale with music director Gigi Van Dyke, Deborah Katchko-Gray and the Temple Shearith Israel Singers, members of the Ridgefield Chorale, the teens from Ridgefield’s A Better Chance program, and Kimberly Wilson will perform during the ceremony, which will include remarks from First Selectman Rudy Marconi and celebration organizer Mark Robinson as well as from a member of the Ridgefield Clergy Association.
This year marks the 18th anniversary of Ridgefield’s Martin Luther King Day ceremonies and the 11th year that the celebration incorporates the presentation of the annual Spirit of Dr. King Ridgefield Community Service Award. The award goes to a member of the town who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to community service and selflessness reflecting the finest traditions of Dr. Martin Luther King.
This year’s ceremony will acknowledge the work and dedication of Anita Donofrio, “a generous and tireless supporter of many Ridgefield community programs and initiatives, including the library, the Ridgefield Playhouse and Founders Hall.”
She is a full-time volunteer for the Jane Goodall Institute and the principal benefactor of the ROAR Animal Shelter.
In the wake of last year’s Sandy Hook school shootings, she re-dedicated herself to become a passionate personal lobbyist for gun legislation reform on both the local and national levels.
“I am humbled and honored to be receiving this award,” said Ms. Donofrio.
Started in 1997 as one of several community activities and initiatives organized and sponsored by ROUND (Ridgefielders Organized for Understanding and Diversity), the Martin Luther King celebration has become an enduring and highly regarded new tradition in Ridgefield. The purpose is to ensure that the spirit with which Dr. King lived and the struggles for which he died are remembered and live on in the hearts and minds of our community.
In 1999, after he was elected first selectman, Mr. Marconi became the first elected official to formally participate and has joined Mr. Robinson as a co-organizer of the event ever since.
“The town looks forward to the celebration of the King holiday,” said Mr. Robinson. “The King holiday serves as a focal point for establishing and maintaining community service involving millions of Americans throughout the year to address critical social problems of this nation and to help improve the quality of life for humankind.”
The Serendipity Chorale with music director Gigi Van Dyke and Deborah Katchko-Gray and the Temple Shearith Israel singers will perform during the ceremony. Other groups invited are the Ridgefield Chorale, the teens from Ridgefield’s A Better Chance program, and Kimberly Wilson.
Admission is free. Visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org for more information or email Mark.Robinson@sralliance.com