From the PTA to the Pediatric Wing: Andi Sklar’s Journey of Local Impact

 When you first meet Andi Sklar, you might mistake her for just another Westport, Connecticut mom juggling carpool schedules and family dinners. But speak to anyone in Fairfield County’s nonprofit community, and you’ll quickly learn that Sklar is something much more: a quiet powerhouse of grassroots philanthropy, event strategy, and hands-on service. Her journey—from preschool committee meetings to raising millions for healthcare initiatives—is a testament to the impact one determined woman can make when purpose meets persistence.

Andi Sklar’s story isn’t one of overnight transformation. It’s the accumulation of years spent rolling up her sleeves, forging connections, and showing up—not for attention, but because she believes deeply in the power of local engagement. Whether she’s organizing a small lemonade stand to raise money for children in crisis or coordinating EKG screenings at major hospitals, Sklar approaches philanthropy with the same authenticity she brings to everything else in her life: family first, community always, and impact at the core.

It Started at the Preschool Table

For many parents, volunteering begins at school. For Sklar, it was no different. Her earliest philanthropic involvement started with the Temple Israel Early Childhood Center in Westport, where she chaired the preschool committee. But even then, there was something different about her approach. She didn’t just show up—she built systems, elevated participation, and brought an energy that others naturally followed.

Those early years were formative. Sklar wasn’t simply learning how to run meetings or plan fundraisers—she was beginning to understand the architecture of community. She recognized that when people feel invited to participate with clarity and warmth, they say yes. And that lesson would go on to shape everything she touched.

Angel-ade: Lemonade With a Mission

If the preschool committee introduced Sklar to structured volunteering, it was her role co-founding Angel-ade that ignited her sense of purpose. Created in partnership with Al’s Angels, a nonprofit supporting children and families facing life-threatening illnesses, Angel-ade was more than just a cute summer activity—it was a model for what community fundraising could look like when families worked together for something bigger than themselves.

Children ran the lemonade stands, neighbors stopped by with donations, and Sklar was often in the background, quietly coordinating logistics. It was a pure and powerful demonstration of family-based philanthropy, something she would go on to advocate for in countless other initiatives.

“It wasn’t about perfection,” Sklar has said. “It was about showing our kids that giving back could be part of everyday life.”

Scaling Up: Raising Millions for Women’s Health

As her children grew, so did the scope of Andi Sklar’s efforts. She stepped into a leadership role at PinkAid, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting underserved breast cancer patients. Starting as Auction Chair and eventually becoming Event Chair, Sklar helped the organization raise over $1 million through her efforts.

But fundraising was never just about dollars for her. It was about dignity. She insisted on creating events that not only raised funds but educated attendees and honored survivors. She brought elegance, emotion, and empathy to each event—qualities that are often undervalued but profoundly necessary in the world of philanthropy.

These events also showcased Sklar’s signature style: meticulous planning paired with genuine storytelling. Whether it was designing a room layout or choosing a speaker lineup, she understood the power of emotional connection. Her goal was always the same—to inspire action rooted in compassion.

Hearts in Harmony and the Fight Against Long QT Syndrome

While many might stop after such achievements, Sklar pressed forward—this time with an even more personal mission. Partnering with her close friend Kira Greenfield, she helped launch Hearts in Harmony, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness and research funds for Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), a potentially fatal heart condition affecting children.

The connection wasn’t theoretical—Sklar had watched families in her own community wrestle with the fear and uncertainty that LQTS brings. And so she did what she always does: she acted.

From spearheading awareness campaigns to helping organize “Shake It for Shea,” a major fundraising event, Sklar brought the full force of her talents to bear. She didn’t just amplify the cause—she helped normalize conversation around pediatric heart health, bringing life-saving information into schools, doctors' offices, and family homes.

“Check Your Beat”: Prevention as a Priority

One of the most tangible demonstrations of Sklar’s commitment came through an event she helped organize called “Check Your Beat”—a community-based initiative providing free EKGs to children.

This event perfectly captured Sklar’s holistic approach to philanthropy. It wasn’t just about raising money or awareness; it was about intervention, about doing something that could literally save lives before a crisis occurs.

Held in partnership with local physicians and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, “Check Your Beat” is a shining example of how local advocates can drive public health forward—not with sweeping national mandates, but with grassroots coordination, education, and a few brave volunteers.

Connecticut Children’s: Building a Culture of Care

Sklar’s growing involvement with Connecticut Children’s Medical Center represents the full arc of her journey—from parent advocate to regional philanthropic leader. In her current role, she works with the hospital’s physicians, staff, and board members to bring in community support and host dynamic, accessible fundraising events.

She’s helped organize everything from intimate networking events to large-scale hospital tours that connect donors with pediatric specialists. Her ability to blend storytelling with logistics—to make the mission feel real and urgent—is part of what makes her so effective.

Through this work, Sklar helps shine a light on the challenges that children’s hospitals face: from funding advanced treatments and life-saving equipment to covering support services that families desperately need but insurance rarely covers. She uses her platform not just to raise money, but to raise understanding—a goal that is often harder to quantify, but just as critical.

A Philosophy of “Enough”

If there’s a through-line to all of Andi Sklar’s work, it’s this: you don’t need to do it all—you just need to do something.

She doesn’t preach hustle culture or burnout disguised as dedication. She talks openly about balancing motherhood, marriage, and the mental load that comes with being deeply involved in her community. And yet, she continues to show up. Not perfectly. Not always with grand gestures. But always with purpose.

“You can make a difference just by caring enough to try,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be huge. It just has to be honest.”

Westport Roots, Wide-Ranging Impact

Though Sklar’s impact now stretches across state lines—helping connect researchers, healthcare institutions, and nonprofits—her roots remain firmly planted in Westport. It’s here that she learned how to lead. It’s here she raised her family. And it’s here, every day, that she continues to model what community-driven service can look like when done with integrity, humility, and heart.

From the PTA meeting room to the pediatric wing of a hospital, Andi Sklar’s journey is a blueprint for meaningful local action. Her story reminds us that you don’t need a national stage to change lives. Sometimes, all it takes is one person who’s willing to care—and then keep caring, year after year.