It was one of those golden New Canaan evenings — warm enough to feel summer’s arrival, breezy enough to invite ease — when community and care came together under the high ceilings of Waveny House. The occasion: the 2025 Summer Soirée hosted by Staying Put in New Canaan, a celebration not just of a season, but of the enduring strength of connection and commitment to those who call this town home.
The evening was filled with laughter and purpose, set against the stately backdrop of Waveny’s historic estate. Guests mingled over plates from Chef Jeff, sipped summer drinks, and gathered near the giving tree — a quiet symbol of generosity. In every corner of the house, old friends reconnected and new friendships quietly formed, rooted in a shared devotion to a cause that is both simple and profound: helping older adults stay safely, confidently, and joyfully in the community they love.
Executive Director Gina Blum offered words of thanks that were heartfelt and plainspoken. “We are overwhelmed by the support we received this year,” she said. “From our sponsors to our volunteers and attendees, everyone played a part in making this evening such a success. Together, we’re making New Canaan a place where people of all ages can thrive.”
It is no small thing to live with dignity in the place you know best. Staying Put’s work — providing transportation, practical services, and social programs — makes that possible for so many. But it takes a village of its own to keep it going. From benefactors like the Anderson Fund, Peg and Sherman Bull, and Jo and Peter Ziesing, to dozens of sponsors, local businesses, and volunteers, the list of gratitude is long — a reflection of a town where generosity is less a performance and more a habit.
In a world that often prizes speed and change, the Summer Soirée quietly affirmed something different: that continuity, neighborliness, and care still matter. And that when people gather with purpose, even on a warm June night, they do more than celebrate — they build the future they wish to grow old in.
