For the 21st year, Person-to-Person will be hosting the Holiday Toy Store. With the support of a dedicated volunteer organizing committee, scores of volunteers and countless generous donors, more than 2,100 children will have a holiday that is merry and bright. Toy Store is one of the most fulfilling, enjoyable and engaging programs at P2P. For low-income clients who struggle throughout the year to provide basic necessities such as food and clothing, the holidays can be particularly stressful. But with Toy Store, parents are able to select a free toy and book for each child plus a board game for the family to enjoy.
OPUS for Person-to-Person raised $85,000 at its annual fall fundraiser, The BigGER Rig Gig, which took place on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club. The proceeds from the event will fund several programs and initiatives at Person-to-Person, including its emergency assistance program, food pantries and clothing centers. Opus is grateful that Ring’s End and Stamford Hospital were the lead sponsors of its annual fall fundraiser, and that Evolution Air contributed generously to the fundraising event. While guests enjoyed delicious food, live music and lawn games during the outdoor event, the most meaningful part of the evening was a poignant speech delivered by Laila Bravo, a former client of Person-to-Person.
During the May 14 annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive to “Stamp Out Hunger” Person-to-Person’s food pantry received more food donations — valued at over $43,500 — than it did the previous year, according to the Darien-based organization. This current stock should last about two months, according to Darien Site Manager Sophie Neumann. Throughout the morning and into the late afternoon of Saturday, May 14, grocery bags (provided by Palmer’s Darien, which donated 6,500 of them) filled with donated food were delivered to Person-to-Person. The bags arrived in multiple waves of postal trucks and private vehicles assigned to specific neighborhoods for pick-up. Community volunteer Jane Yezzi and Neumann said the day was an enormous success.
Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Darien Toy Box at 1064 Boston Post Road, the P2P Youth Group will be collecting toys for the Person-to-Person’s annual holiday “Toy Store.”
If you’re planning a trip to the Darien Toy Box — or you’ll be in the area — we hope you’ll buy and donate a toy for the children of P2P clients. About P2P Holiday “Toy Store”
Every December, Person-to-Person hosts a pop-up Toy Store, where clients “shop” for their children’s holiday presents. Families select a toy and a book for each child, plus a board game for the entire family to enjoy. While the parents shop, children are entertained. Volunteer elves accompany each shopper and wrap each present in festive holiday paper.
The P2P Youth Group will be collecting toys onSaturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Darien Toy Box at 1064 Boston Post Road for the Person-to-Person’s annual holiday “Toy Store.”
If you’re planning a trip to the Darien Toy Box — or you’ll be in the area — we hope you’ll buy and donate a toy for the children of P2P clients. About P2P Holiday “Toy Store”
Every December, Person-to-Person hosts a pop-up Toy Store, where clients “shop” for their children’s holiday presents. Families select a toy and a book for each child, plus a board game for the entire family to enjoy. While the parents shop, children are entertained. Volunteer elves accompany each shopper and wrap each present in festive holiday paper.
“There’s a photo contest going on today and your vote can help a nonprofit win $! Just search the hashtag #FairfieldCountyGives to find these images. At 4 p.m., the two photos with the most “likes” will win a cash prize.” — an announcement from the Fairfield County Community Foundation on Facebook. Here’s some more information
These Darien two organizations are participating, with links to their Twitter feeds (when available) or go here on Facebook to search for their submitted photo to like — but do it by 4 p.m. Monday:
One of the most transformative initiatives at Person-to-Person is the Scholarship Program, established in 1968 to provide financial assistance to college students from low-income households, many of whom are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Over the last 10 years, more than 1,700 students have been awarded over $3.6 million in scholarships. Among P2P Scholars, the graduation rate is an impressive 79 percent, a figure well above the national average of 20 percent for students from low-income households. _________
— an announcement from Person-to-Person
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With the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship, each year P2P recognizes the considerable achievements of two college seniors who demonstrate a high degree of integrity and responsibility as well as a commitment to community service. In recognition of their accomplishments, each student is awarded $1,000 for use in attaining professional or academic post-graduate goals.
During the 2015 holiday season, Whole Foods Market Darien hosted a Giving Campaign for Person-to-Person, raising more than $2,600. During the campaign, customers were asked for donations in the amount of $2, $5 or $10 to fund the purchase of various items – including oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, soup and personal care products – for the P2P Darien Food Pantry. __________
— an announcement from the Darien-based area charity Person-to-Person
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“Whole Foods Market Darien chose to aid Person-to-Person because we wanted to further our partnership,” says Store Team Leader Megan Neisser. “We support them with bi-weekly pickups of perishable and non-perishable items that are used to help individuals and families in need. We felt this was another way we could increase our impact on our local community.”
P2P Executive Director Ceci Maher acknowledges the long-standing support of Whole Foods Market Darien.
