​FAIRFIELD FIRST RESPONDERS CREATE PROGRAM TO ASSIST RESIDENTS WITH AUTISM
Fairfield, Conn., May 6, 2021 -- In honor of Autism Awareness Month, Fairfield’s first responders have initiated a voluntary new program to assist them with providing the best service to these important citizens. The program will consist of offering custom decals including the words “FIRST RESPONDER ALERT” and “Occupant with Autism” (see below), which can be displayed on homes, businesses, and or/vehicles.
“In the emergency services business, we strive to obtain the most information we can so that each emergency gets the individual specialized attention it needs,” said Bill Tuttle, president of the Firefighters Union, IAFF Local 1426. “These decals will allow responding crews to use our training to deliver the care and respect people on the spectrum deserve. Having the knowledge at an emergency scene sooner lets us tailor our interactions in a way to mitigate the impact of what is already a stress-inducing situation,” he added.
These decals are provided free of charge by the Firefighters Union in connection with their partners—the Fairfield Police Union, the 911 telecommunicators and AMR, the Town's emergency medical services provider. They will be available at Team Woofgang & Co. at 1300 Post Road for pick-up during business hours starting May 7th, or through the Firefighters Union.
For more information, please contact Bill Tuttle at (203) 650-2746.
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Additionally, if anyone does not feel comfortable going to a store to obtain a sticker, simply message our page and we will deliver one to you.

Team Woofgang & Co. is thrilled to welcome new Executive Director, Amiee Turner. 

​Turner is an innovative, people-centered leader with a strong history of successful supervisory experience across diverse industries, including home lending, real estate, theater, dance, and professional sports. Prior to joining Team Woofgang & Co., Turner was the executive administrator at RealFi. She also served as the executive director of the not-for-profit Ocean State Theatre Company, Inc. of Rhode Island for over 10 years. 
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“I appreciate the board’s confidence in me, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to lead such a great organization into our next chapter. Team Woofgang & Co. is truly an innovative company, and I know we can move forward and continue to provide the excellent services and programs for our team members and great products for our customers,” Turner said. “I’m especially grateful to the board for their trust and guidance. Team Woofgang & Co. is stronger today because of their tireless work over the past four years.”

As executive director, Turner will work closely with staff and the board to ensure the organization can continue to adapt to serve young adults with disabilities as we emerge from the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and beyond. One of her first acts as executive director has been to oversee the completion and opening of Team Woofgang & Co.’s new production facility, located on Fairfield Avenue in the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport. She will also oversee ongoing fundraising, development efforts, and the continued evolution and expansion of Team Woofgang & Co.’s services, programs, and retail products. 
“Amiee is a positive and energetic leader. Her practical approach to problem solving, and passion for leveraging her skills in service of others made her our ideal candidate,” said Amy Stern, Team Woofgang & Co. board president. “The board is excited to work with Amiee as our new executive director and confident that Team Woofgang & Co. will be well positioned under her guidance to thrive in the years to come."

If you would like to set up a visit at our new vocational facility in Bridgeport and say "hi" to Amiee in person, please email amiee@woofgangco.org. She's looking forward to meeting everyone!

Team Members Harry, Caroline, Hillary, Isabel, Chris, and Jack showcase all the wonderful gifts available at our store at 1300 Post Road in Fairfield, CT. Shop local & support! Great cause, great gifts!

In her weekly newsletter, Fairfield's First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick highlighted Team Woofgang as the "non-profit of the week". The recognition gives us incredible exposure to the most thoughtful and engaged members of our hometown community. We are honored to receive this gesture of support and adoration from our local representative!

The weather was spectacular for Team Woofgang's first charity golf outing, Putts & Mutts 2020, hosted at The Patterson Club in Fairfield, CT.  Thank you to our honored guests, generous sponsors, esteemed board members, dedicated volunteers, and - of course - superstar team members for a wonderful day outdoors! Proceeds from the event will help outfit our new production space in Black Rock. We're opening up doorways, expanding the restroom, adding safety rails, and truly making this Team Woofgang's space; a place where we can safely and confidently work together to grow and achieve success.

Our sponsors included: PowerBridge, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Astoria Energy, CTP, Ardian, Whitehall, DCO Energy, Hubbell Water Heaters, Jingoli Power, Unity Jets, People's United Bank, Cantor Fitzgerald, ESS Group, and D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments. 

Emily Halderson, a senior leader on Fairfield University's field hockey team and long-time volunteer for Team Woofgang, was recently profiled on the university's website.

Halderson has volunteered for Team Woofgang for three years, primarily as a store manager. She also launched and ran an annual Bingo Night fundraiser on campus, which has raised nearly $2,000 over the past two years, all while providing our team members with the special opportunity to socialize with the university's broader student community.

As highlighted in the article, Halderson and Team Woofgang have "forged a relationship that is as strong as any bond felt between teammates on an athletic team. Because like teammates, they work together for a common goal."

We're super proud of you, Emily! Thanks for everything you've done.