Sen. Duff: Vandalized Senior Center Buses to Be Repaired with Help of Aetna

Last week a bus driver for the Norwalk Senior Center discovered that two of the organization’s buses had been defaced by an unknown vandal. Estimates to repair the damaged buses ranged from hundreds of dollars to as much as a thousand—a significant unexpected expense for a community non-profit.

After learning about the vandalism, State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) reached out to officials at Aetna’s Norwalk offices to see if they might be able to help. On Thursday, Aetna presented a $1,000 donation to the Senior Center, which, according to a release from Duff's office is sufficient to help with the cost of repairs.  

“The folks who drive the Senior Center buses haven’t had a raise in five years, so you can imagine what a burden $1,000 in unexpected vandalism costs can be,” said Senator Duff in the release.

“Supporting the communities where our employees live and work is important to Aetna, and we know the vital role the Norwalk Senior Center plays here,” said Debra J. Williams of Aetna in the release.

Two buses were struck by the vandals, who defaced lettering and destroyed a latch to the rear door of one bus, also breaking antennae on both buses. The incident was the latest in a series of vandalism incidents to befall the Senior Center in recent years.

“This is the third time our Senior Center has been vandalized. We don’t yet know who is behind any of these incidents, but I suspect it may be the same person,” said Paul Palermo, Executive Director of the Norwalk Senior Center in the release..

Palermo continued, “Senator Duff has always been a good friend to the Norwalk Senior Center...I am also very grateful to Aetna for making this donation to cover the deductible on our property insurance policy for the buses—we don’t even have a policy with them! It is very generous, and as disappointed as I am that our center has been vandalized yet again, this shows that good people are out there, and that kindness will always prevail.”