Town of Fairfield Community Impact Award

 

In collaboration with SASO and other organizations, the Town of Fairfield created the Community Impact Award in 2026 to recognize volunteers whose time and commitment strengthen our community.

The award acknowledges individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to service, with Gold recognition for 100+ hours completed in a year, Silver for 75-99 hours and Bronze recognition for 50-74 hours. Recipients are honored with a certificate that recognizes their generosity, engagement, and shared commitment to making a positive impact.

 

SASO Girls is a certifying organization for this award. To qualify, hours must be accumulated during the SASO year (June 1-May 31), with at least 30 percent of hours earned through SASO events. 

This is a student-led award. Girls should take responsibility for communicating with the Leadership and Awards coordinators and for recording hours. Interested candidates should possess initiative, drive, time management skills, and attention to detail. Daughters should plan out their hours at the beginning of the membership year, taking advantage of summer and breaks in their schedule.

 

How to Participate

  • Email your interest to our SASO Girls Leaders Coordinators (Sasogirlsleaders@gmail.com) no later than October 31.
  • Click the verification form: Hours Tracking Form. Click File in the top left corner and make a copy. Rename it using this format: Last Name, First Name, SASO year. Please share form with Sasogirlsleaders@gmail.com
  • SASO hours should be recorded on the SASO website AND on the Hours Tracking form. 
  • At least 30 percent of hours must be completed through SASO. Volunteer hours independently obtained at one of our established, long-standing philanthropy organizations may be considered part of the 30 percent SASO requirement. For example, making a meal for Operation Hope through a church signup can count for SASO hours.
  • Volunteer events outside of SASO must be pre-approved and certified. Use the Community Service Verification Form to do so. Please note- Verification forms must be turned in within 30 days of completing community service activity. (Summer activities must be turned in by September 30th, 2026) Not turning in verification forms could result in hours not counting toward the Impact award. 
  • All verification hours need to be turned in no later than May 18th, 2027. Please reach out to SASO leaders if volunteer activity falls after that date. 
  • Hours for events should be recorded based on the event length. For outside events or ones without set start and end times, refer to the Hours Guidelines tab.
  • The log will help you calculate your hours ratio. For example, a member hoping to earn the Bronze award must complete at least 15 hours through SASO. The remaining 35 hours may be earned outside of SASO, but must be verified.
  • Service that does NOT qualify includes: court-ordered community service; paid service; financial donations and service for family members or neighbors. While helping out the school communities is wonderful, things like helping out with spirit wear, giving school tours, or setting up a teachers classroom does not count toward hours. 

    Fundraisers (ex. Car washes, clinics, bake sales to support sports teams, etc) 

     

HOURS GUIDELINES


The guidelines below represent an average of how much time specified activities will likely take, and ensure that hours are recorded fairly across members. Travel time or time spent shopping should NOT be counted.  

 

AT-HOME EVENTS:

  • Drives (qty often 10-12)*: 1 hour
  • Creating cards/posters (qty 10-12): 1.5 hours
  • Homemade cookies: 1 hour per dozen
  • Members may not multiply the amount requested in an effort to earn more hours. For example, purchasing 20 items instead of 10 will not earn a member 2 hours. 

FOOD RESCUE:

  • Record amount of time between pickup and drop off. There is no limit on Food Rescues completed per month, but only one Food Rescue may count toward the events required for membership.

 OPERATION HOPE MEALS:

  • Community Cook and Freezer Meal Entrees: 2.5 hours
  • Sides: 2 hours
  • Salad, drinks, store-bought desserts: 1 hour 
  • Bagged lunches: 1.5 hours
  • Homemade cookies or desserts: 1 hour per dozen
  • Members may sign up for 2 Operation Hope events per month
  • What hours can my hours be counted towards the Town Award?:
    Examples of SASO hours on spreadsheet:
    - Events that you sign up through SASO directly with our event listing
    - Events from one of our philanthropic current partners (any new additions will be listed on the
    SASO web site):
    Operation Hope                      Bigelow Senior center
    Bridgeport Rescue Mission    Wolfgang
    Circle of Care                          nOURish
    Wakeman Boys and Girls       Fairfield Public Library
    Brady Smiles                          Al's Angels
    Thomas Merton (pantry)         Filing in the Blanks
    Kennedy Collective                Read to Grow 
    Sunrise Senior Living             Clothes To Kids
    Sport Buddies (Sept-June)    Fairfield Social Services (gift wrapping Holidays)
    Sasquanaug Conservancy    St. Johns
    Assumption Fair                    Hall House
    Fairfield Half Marathon         FFLD Moms Easter Egg Hunt
    Pequot Library                      Fairfield Parks and Rec
    Fairfield Museum                  Cambridge
    Fairfield Community             Dogwood Festival
    "SASO is a nonprofit organization that partners with local philanthropies to help the
    underprivileged and disadvantaged as well as provide community service in Fairfield County.

  • Events that you can count as non SASO hours: 

     

    *non SASO hours REQUIRE a verification form*

     

    ASP/Harbor Lights - MUST BE PRE-APPROVED and form must be submitted no later than September 30th, 2026

    Appalachia Service Project: 40 hours

    Harbor Lights Summer Adventures Camp CIT: max 5 hours/day, 25 hours/week