OPUS for Person-to-Person’s Balloon Day is now Blooms for Campers; the same fundraiser (raising funds to send low-income kids to summer camp) with an earth-friendly spin.
— an announcement from OPUS for Person-to-Person
The Balloon Day event has gone green: This year, eco-friendly wildflower seed packets and burlap ribbons have replaced the non-biodegradable red balloons that littered the Sound and were harmful to sea animals. Blooms for Campers celebrates nurturing our neighbors, as well as the earth.
The Blooms for Campers fundraiser will run from Monday, April 12 through Saturday, May 1. On May 1, OPUS volunteers and their children will tie red burlap ribbons on donors’ mailboxes and storefronts throughout town.
Bigger Need
This year more than ever, there is a tremendous need in the community for Person-to-Person’s Campership Program. The demand is high with families eager to secure summer experiences for their children, as adults remain in the workforce. Maintaining employment and increasing opportunities for social and emotional learning are critical in this crucial time.
All children considered for the Person-to-Person Campership program live in low-income households in Stamford and are referred through their schools. A portion of these children qualify for free or reduced priced meals in school which they would also receive at camp.
One mother of a camper recipient last year said: “It gave my daughter a sense of normalcy again. She was able to make new friends and play like she used to.”
For these children, camp is not a luxury but a necessity. For children in the Campership Program, summer is filled with engaging activities, adventure, a safe and nurturing environment and academic enrichment.
These experiences foster friendship, encourage self confidence and allow children to see the world in a new light.
“My daughter was a shy girl but she just blossomed over the summer, made new friends and gained so much confidence,” said one mother of a campership recipient.
Our three corporate sponsors for Blooms for Campers are Anika Charron & Julie Bauer at William Pitt Sotheby’s Realty, The Corbin District and Ring’s End. With the generous support of our sponsors and donors, the Blooms for Campers fundraiser will enable children from financially fragile families to experience the joy of camp and a carefree summer.
All donors will also receive wildflower seed packets, as a symbol of gratitude for supporting the Person-to-Person Campership Program.
You can donate online here to the Person-to-Person Campership Program and help provide a better summer for these children.
What Your Donations Do
Every donation has an impact, see how your donation will give back.
—$25 helps pay for a week of healthy snacks for 10 campers.
—$50 helps pay for supplies for arts and crafts, experiments, learning and fun.
—$100 sends 1 child to camp for one week.
—$250 helps pay to send campers on field trips to museums, parks, the aquarium & zoo.
—$600 sends 1 child to camp for the ENTIRE summer!
Blooms for Campers Fun Run
The kick-off event for the Blooms for Campers fundraiser will be a family fun run at Darien’s Highland Farm. The event will be held on Sunday, April 25 from 1pm to 4:30 p.m. with staggered start times and a suggested donation of $25 per family.
The goal of the run is to raise awareness and funds for the Person-to-Person Campership Program and will be a fun and engaging event for the whole family. The kick-off event is sponsored by Nielsen’s, The Darien Running Company and Dr. Katie.
In an effort to remain safe and vigilant, all participants must register before the event. You can sign-up online, here, for the fun run.
To show your support, wear your favorite floral/bright colored attire to our first ever Blooms for Campers Fun Run.
About OPUS for Person-to-Person
OPUS for Person-to-Person is a charitable organization whose mission is to support Person-to-Person through fundraising efforts and public awareness.
These fundraisers help Person-to-Person provide goods and services to more than 25,000 individuals and families in our neighboring communities who lack basic necessities and resources. .
About Person-to-Person
Person-to-Person (P2P) is a non-profit agency dedicated to providing individuals and families with essential resources to help them overcome daily challenges and put them on a path toward economic stability.
P2P serves 28,000 residents in Fairfield County with three food pantries (Darien, Norwalk, Stamford), a clothing center, caseworker assistance, emergency financial assistance, and scholarships/camperships.
Established in 1968, P2P serves Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.