In a dedication ceremony on Saturday, May 16th at Mead Park, The Young Women’s League ("YWL") of New Canaan presented their donation of new player’s benches at Mellick Field in memory of Mikey Czech. Mikey Czech, a 6th grader from New Canaan , was an avid baseball player and a devoted Yankees fan. Mikey passed away last September due to complications from a brainstem tumor.

According to his father, Steve Czech, Mikey confided to him that what he really loved was hanging out on the benches during the games with his friends . For this reason, the benches were selected in his honor. A plaque on each bench sums it up perfectly, “Dedicated in Loving Memory of James “Mikey” Czech, January 6, 1997 – September 7, 2008, for his Exemplary Sportsmanship and Love of the Game.”

Kelly Daniel, YWL President, welcomed the crowd followed by Steve Benko, Recreation Director of New Canaan Recreation Dept. Steve Czech, Mikey’s father, thanked everyone and shared a few heartwarming anecdotes about Mikey and his life. Also in attendance were Mikey’s mother-Jennifer Czech, Jim Mase-President of New Canaan Baseball/Softball Inc.; Tom Stadler- Chairman of New Canaan Recreation Dept.; Tina Feldman, President-YWL 2007-09; and many friends of the Czechs and youth baseball players. The YWL of New Canaan provided refreshments and balloons for the attendees.

The YWL of New Canaan supports The Mikey Czech Foundation established by Mikey's family to finance medical research for pediatric brain tumors, including DIPGs which are extremely rare (approximately 150-200 children are diagnosed each year nationwide). The Foundation is currently working to establish a new, world-leading pediatric neuro-oncology translational research laboratory in an effort to manage and ultimately eliminate pediatric brain tumors. The Foundation will also approve grants to support pediatric brain tumor research at healthcare, education and medical research facilities throughout the United States. For more information about The Mikey Czech Foundation, please visit their website at www.mikeyczech.org.

Photo: Baskin-Robbins’ mascot visited New Canaan Monday, April 20th, 2009, to promote “31-Cent Scoop Night”. He is pictured with Steve Czech, New Canaan firefighters, and members of Baskin-Robbins and the Bank of New Canaan.

Where else but New Canaan can a family of four go out for ice cream and pizza for less than a crisp five dollar bill?

From 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, Baskin-Robbins is teaming up with Joe’s Pizza, the Bank of New Canaan, and New Canaan Fire Department for “31-Cent Scoop Night”.

Last year’s "Scoop Night" sold close to 1,700 scoops of ice cream and 1,800 slices of Joe’s pizza, for the benefit of National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The Bank of New Canaan last year also distributed 400 piggy banks, each containing 31 cents.

Darien Sport Shop Raises funds for The Mikey Czech Foundation
To finance medical research for pediatric brain tumors

DARIEN, CT/Dec. 22, 2008
On Sept. 7, 2008 a young man from our community, Mikey Czech of New Canaan, was taken from us by a rare form of pediatric brain tumor.  To honor his valiant fight and to raise funds to finance medical research, the Darien Sport Shop turned a holiday shopping weekend into a three-day celebration of a young boy’s spirit with the hope of creating awareness and an ongoing funding base for this cause. Shown here, Gina Zangrillo, president of the Darien Sport Shop and Mikey’s dad, Stephen Czech with a check for $7,000 to benefit The Mikey Czech Foundation, Inc. -- a 501(c) (3) non-profit foundation established by Mikey's family to finance medical research for pediatric brain tumors, including DIPGs which are extremely rare (approximately 150-200 children are diagnosed each year nationwide). Online contributions can be made by visiting the website: www.mikeyczech.org.

The Darien Sport Shop has been a landmark in the Darien downtown business district since Steve Zangrillo founded it in 1946.  After more than six decades of service to the community, this family business that started as a single room sporting goods store has grown to include specialty departments offering men’s, women’s and children’s fashions, several designer boutiques and a premier collection of swim, sports and ski apparel and equipment. The Darien Sport Shop is dedicated to being a good neighbor in the communities it serves and helps others through numerous outreach initiatives. For more information, please contact the Darien Sport Shop at (203) 655-2575 or log on to www.dariensport.com.

Those of you who knew Mikey knew that Mikey’s “signature” haircut was the # 1 clipper “buzz” cut.

On June 14th, 2009, In an effort to raise awareness and funds for The Mikey Czech Foundation, Mikey’s barber shop (Colonial Barber Shop in New Canaan, CT) sold "Buzzcuts" for $20.00 each and contributed ALL of the proceeds from the event to The Mikey Czech Foundation for pediatric brain tumor research.

Colonial Barber Shop is located at 15 South Avenue, New Canaan, CT 06840. Phone: 203-966-0912.

We would like to thank Leta Sirviatis, Maria Bernson and the entire staff of Colonial Barber Shop – New Canaan for their efforts on our behalf.