Don't ever say no to this guy

Jeff Westcott couldn't stop smiling. It was a hot and humid day, but that didn't keep people from coming out to enjoy a Sunday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Lake Park for the second annual community cookout hosted by Restore Norwalk. The group is hoping to raise funds and awareness for its next big project, a free public splash pad at Suhr Family Park on West Main St. in uptown Norwalk. It is a monumental project, but don't ever say no to this guy. There were people spread out everywhere Sunday, from more than 30 vendors to a band entertaining the crowd. There were food and games for adults and children alike. Westcott stood back and took it all in. "This is fabulous," he said. "Our community has really stepped up. Showed up. And they have re-instilled in my heart the value of the community of Norwalk. They came out to be together." When you throw a party like this, you are really never sure of who will show up. "Especially after COVID, we weren't sure what would happen today," Westcott said. What is the status of the proposed splash pad? "Roughly we are looking at $117,000 to $120,000," he said. "Last I checked we were right at about $18,000. We are hoping to raise $6,000-to-7,000 today." There is a splash pad located at the Ernsthausen Aquatic Center near the outdoor pool area. But Westcott said there is a need for another one. "There are different folks in different areas that want different things," he said. "I think that is a great asset to the area." "Quite honestly, I would love to get Berry's (Restaurant) open again and we have new retail shops going in downtown Norwalk. I would love to see that area of our community restored." Westcott knows he can't do it alone. "It takes a lot of people. It's just a great community and we want to bring people here." Westcott is a man who wears many hats. By day, he is an insurance man with Westcott & Copley Insurance Agency. On the side he works with Invest in Youth Inc., which helps with foster care benefits not provided by the government, Restore Norwalk and he is pastor of The Gathering. His family also owns and operates Westcott's Shaved Ice, also located in Suhr Park. "Ivy is going fabulous," he said. "It is starting to get some traction down there (on Hester Street). The historical society is getting ready to do some big things down there, and Sheri's (Coffee House) is right there. "I'm hoping to buy that falling-down building next to Ivy and maybe we can put some additional parking down there." Westcott said he is a "hard worker" with Ivy. "My wife, Julie, really runs the show with Jessica (Jurczuk). They really run that and I provide the business background." Ivy is open noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment. "We are trying to get funds and resources to at-risk youth and their care givers, specifically foster, adoptive and kinship families," Westcott said. "We are just starting the grandparents' project." Westcott is treasurer of Restore Norwalk. "I just joined the board to provide some infrastructure," he said. What does he do in the spare time? "I am all about the community," he said. "There are just so many people who need just a little bit of hope. Just a little." "I think about a story of a guy who lived in Norwalk and, unfortunately, his life ended short. "How he felt hopeless. It just breaks my heart ... there are people who want to love other people. Sometimes they don't know how and they need a push in the right direction." The Westcotts have nine children, ranging from Nick, who is 24, to Abel, who is 6. "We have three biological, three adopted out of foster care, soon to be four, then there are two we have temporary custody of." So much for your spare time. Joe Centers is Reflector managing editor. He can be reached at jcenters@norwalkreflector.com.