You may not know the name “James Bacharach.” But most Westporters are familiar with him nonetheless. A founder of the Westport Youth Commission, his enduring legacy is the Bacharach Community — 3 homes on Wassell Lane and 1 on the Post Road, providing emergency shelter to mothers and children.
Bacharach was a tireless volunteer in service to his community, and one of the town’s most prestigious awards is named in his honor.
You may not have heard of the James Bacharach Award either. Presented annually to 1 or more high school seniors, there’s no money attached to it. And it comes too late to count for college admissions.
That’s the idea, though: It’s presented for selfless, no-return-asked volunteer efforts, right here in Westport.
The Youth Commission is soliciting nominations for this year’s Bacharach Award. (Full disclosure: I am a member of the commission, and help select the honorees.)
Anyone — students, teachers, parents, organization members, volunteers — can nominate a high school senior living in Westport. He or she does not have to go to Staples.
Here’s the catch: The award is for impressive community service in Westport. Previous winners have included students who have given enormous time and effort to EMS, worked on local diversity issues, and set up mentoring programs.
Building toilets in Honduras — as worthy as that is — is not what the Bacharach Award is about. It’s for hometown, home-grown service.
To nominate a worthy high school senior, click here. The deadline is May 16. For more information contact Elaine Daignault: 203-341-1065; elained@westportct.gov.
(The Youth Commission also seeks new youth and adult members for the upcoming school year. If interested, contact Elaine Daignault as above.)
My dad would be very proud of this legacy. It means a lot to the rest of the Bacharach clan that 15 years later, he is still remembered and honored for his community devotion. And he’d be pleased that it is bestowed too late for college resumes, keeping it local as intended.