Through two fundraisers this spring, OPUS raised $175,000 to fund Person-to-Person programs that have a direct benefit to children in need in our neighboring communities.
— Most of this article, about OPUS’ fundraising, is from an OPUS announcement. Darienite.com has added information from an announcement on the May 12 Person-to-Person “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive.
Masquerade Ball
The first was a Masquerade Ball held at the Country Club of Darien on Saturday, April 21. On this beautiful spring evening, guests wore black and white attire and, in keeping with the theme, donned festive eye masks.
During a gourmet surf and turf dinner, Ceci Maher, Executive Director of Person-to-Person, introduced Fabio Jaime, a former P2P beneficiary. Jaime spoke about his personal and professional achievements and attributed much of his success to the help he received from Person-to-Person.
After a live auction and paddle raise called by the always-entertaining CK Swett, guests danced to the music of the King of Hearts band and celebrated late into the night at the official after party.
Balloons for Campers Day
Photo from OPUS for Person-to-Person
No, these balloons apparently were not enough to float Elsa Ward above Darien and to points beyond, no doubt to the relief of her mother, OPUS board member Jennifer Ward.
The second fundraiser was Balloons for Campers Day. This annual effort raises funds for the P2P Campership Program, which sends hundreds of underprivileged children to day camp this summer, providing a safe, nurturing and academically stimulating environment while their parents must work.
On Saturday, May 19, fundraising efforts culminated as OPUS Members and their children traveled through town to tie those balloons to the mailboxes of all Darien residents and businesses who donated.
“We are so thankful for our committee members who worked tirelessly to make both these fundraisers such a success and are grateful for the continued generosity of all our sponsors, but most notably William Raveis, Baywater Properties & PG Properties and Houlihan Lawrence who were the platinum sponsors of these events,” said Lisa Bishai, Co-President of OPUS.
“The funds we raised will help support critical programs at P2P, including Baby Basics, scholarships, and of course, camperships.”
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.
- Our fundraisers help P2P provide goods and services to more than 25,000 individuals and families in our neighboring communities who lack basic necessities and resources.
- For more information about OPUS, or to understand how you can become more involved as a sponsor or a member, please contact Kristen Smith at kristen.wright.smith@gmail.com.
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10,000 lbs. Less in This Year’s Food Drive
The Good News
The rain was off and on during the National Association of Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive on Saturday, May 12, but hundreds of volunteers from Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton turned out to help sort the food donations that Person-to-Person received from Darien, Norwalk and Wilton.
We are grateful to all the volunteers — the Darien High School Freshman Baseball Team, the alumni of Boston College, Bucknell and Yale, the Wilton High School Class of 2021, the students from Norwalk High School and Lauralton Hall, the Pepperidge Farm employee service team and all the community volunteers who helped.
Thank you to members of Darien’s Ivanhoe Masonic Lodge #107 for donating and preparing the hamburgers, hot dogs and other refreshments to keep the volunteers going.
And a big shout out to the Letter Carriers who, over the day, got in and out of their trucks to pick up the donated food — many of them in plastic bags — left at mailboxes by generous donors.
The Bad News
Unfortunately, we did not receive as much donated food as we have in previous years. In fact, we received 10,000 pounds less, from what is the largest food drive P2P has each year which stocks our Food Pantries with three months of food for families.
The 10,000-pound shortfall is going to have a significant impact on P2P’s ability to provide groceries to families and children over the summer months – a time of year when demand is higher because parents are preparing meals for their children who receive free or reduced-price meals at school during the school year.
How You Can Help
Please help P2P stock the food pantries by going to Palmer’s Market in Darien or the Stop & Shop stores in Darien, Norwalk or Wilton to fill up a bag and leave it in the bins provided. Please consider hosting a food drive at your office, house of worship or school or making a donation at the P2P website.
P2P appreciates all you do as a caring community to help people in need.
A Person-to-Person donation box. There\’s a list of items frequently needed right at the front. You can find these boxes near the doors at most Darien supermarkets.