Unsung Hero #442

At 8 a.m. the Sunday before last, Kristin Mott Purcell was already hard at work.

The Soundview Summer Stroll was 2 hours away. In the months before, the Compo Beach resident had already arranged for permits and a police officer; served as a liaison with the Parks & Recreation Department; helped arrange bands and kids’ activities; posted signs, and taken care of dozens of other details that would bring smiles to the faces to a few thousand visitors to her neighborhood.

Now she was setting up tents, marking spots for 20 non-profit organizations, and troubleshooting music and food issues.

In between she found time to water the planters that brighten up (and slow traffic down on) the beach exit road a few yards from her home.

It was all in a morning’s work for the always-smiling, ever-volunteering longtime Compo resident. (Not coincidentally, she represents the area — and all of District 1 — on the Representative Town Meeting.)

Kristin Mott Purcell

The Compo Beach Improvement Association is one of the sponsors of the Soundview Stroll (along with “06880). But in reality, Kristin is the CBIA.

She’s been a stalwart of the 100-year-old organization, keeping it running at a time of diminishing volunteers. She serves as treasurer. She helps organize the end-of-summer party. And then there are those planters …

If a job needs doing, Kristin does it. And if she’s doing it, it’s done the right way. (But always with a smile.)

Kristin Mott Purcell (left), with Deborah Webb and Michelle Cardello, at the festive start of Soundview Drive. They help ensure it always looks good.

Kristin was an early and driving force behind the creation of the Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum, adjacent to Earthplace. She helped lead the drive to put holiday lights on the Cribari Bridge, when Al DiGuido stepped away after 25 years. She joined other RTM members planting tulips at the Minute Man monument.

Right now, she’s working to get Westport to join the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority.

Kristin Mott Purcell, at an RTM meeting.

All that is in addition to her full-time, “real” job. Kristin founded Amberlake Capital, an outsourced marketing and investor relations partner to emerging and established investment managers.

I’m sure I’m missing a few — probably more than a few — other activities that Kristin is part of.

That’s because she does not go around touting her work. She just does it — quietly, efficiently, effectively.

And always with a smile.

Those Soundview Stroll tents did not put themselves up. Or take themselves down.

It took Kristin Mott Purcell to do it. Which is why she is “06880”‘s Unsung Herof the Week.

And every other one too.

Last Friday, Kristin Mott Purcell’s (center) husband Terry, daughters and friends threw a surprise birthday party for her. The site was (of course) Compo Beach.

(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com. “06880” is proud to honor them — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to help us do that, by supporting this hyper-local blog.)