Planet New Canaan, a local charity focused on environmental and sustainability projects, held its Green Gala fundraiser on Thursday, September 26 at the Carriage Barn. Leo Karl III of Karl Chevrolet www.karlchevy.com and Jennifer and Peter Cipriano of Copia Home & Garden www.copiahomeandgarden.com just over the border in South Salem, received the charity’s Sustainability Awards. Leo Karl has been taking sustainability initiatives for many years, from using waste oil from oil changes to help fuel the Chevy dealership’s boiler, to putting solar panels on the roof, to being an early advocate for electric vehicles. The Cipriano’s at Copia are passionate advocates and suppliers of native plants, will take back and reuse planting pots, strive to use fiber-based pots to reduce plastic use, and have been very supportive or New Canaan’s Pollinator Pathway. The 150+ attendees enjoyed drinks poured by guest bartenders First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll, food by Rosie Restaurant on Elm Street and music by Kwame Henry Jones. There was also a silent auction offering everything from handmade Amish-style quilts to symphony tickets. Planet New Canaan board president Robin Bates-Mason said, “We’re thrilled with this broad community support, which helps provide us the funds and especially the energy to continue to make our town and our planet clean, green and sustainable for all.” More information is at: www.planetnewcanaan.org
