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Community Corner

Opus Announces New Board

Opus for Person-to-Person, a charitable organization of more than 200 women from Darien and its surrounding towns, has announced its 2014-2015 Board of Directors.

The new Board consists of 24 women who volunteer their time and energy toward fundraising efforts for the Darien and Norwalk-based agency Person-to-Person.

Since 1996, Opus has contributed approximately $3.04 Million to Person-to-Person as its only fundraising and awareness arm. Last year alone, Opus raised more than $220,000 that went directly to Person-to-Person’s critical programs and services.  

“On the heels of another successful Opus year, the momentum is building with our talented new Board of Directors,” said Caroline Gallagher, Co-President of Opus for Person-to-Person. “It’s a dynamic group with a lot of exciting ideas, and we’re happy to have 12 returning Board members lend their expertise.”

“The Board and our Committee Chairs are already putting new programs into place this summer,” added Elizabeth Hole, Co-President of Opus for Person-to-Person. 

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“Our primary goals are to increase alumnae participation and expand the membership base, create ongoing volunteer opportunities for members, and engage additional corporate participation in
the greater Norwalk area.”

           

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The new 2014-2015 Board of Directors includes:

 

Sarah Caras, Caroline Gallagher and Elizabeth Hole - Co-Presidents

Patty Deery - Vice President

Jennifer Barbagallo - Secretary

Carol Faherty and Jennifer Sherman - Co-Treasurers

Hope Barton, Kathryn Mann and Amie Willis - Baby Basics

Tasha Blair - Board Liaison, Balloon Day

Liz Ezbiansky - Board Liaison, BigGER Rig Gig

Jordan Castellani - Board Liaison, Spring Benefit

Katie Briggs, Nicole Harder and Erika Spraker - Corporate Development

Kristina Gregory - External Communications

Christa FitzPatrick - Internal Communications

Kate Cusack - Event Logistics

Pam Byrne, Lindsay Warnke and Catherine Webb - Membership Events

Gina Gromelski and Katherine Sakara - Membership and Recruitment

Opus supports Person-to-Person through fundraising and public awareness with four popular events: the BigGER Rig Gig in September, a family concert in January, an annual spring gala (taking place in March 2015) and Balloons for Campers Day in May. These events raise vital funds for Person-to-Person.

Last year, approximately 24,500 people received assistance from Person-to-Person, including food and clothing donations, funds for scholarship and camp programs, layettes for babies, living assistance loans, a holiday toy store and more. 

Person-to-Person’s 4,500-square foot headquarters is located at St. Luke’s Church in Darien. The organization houses robust self-serve food pantries in both their Darien and Norwalk locations, where clients shop alongside volunteers to choose the food they know their families will eat. In 2013 alone, nearly 550,000 meals were provided to families in need.

On Wednesday, July 16, Opus hosted a Campership Picnic at St. Luke’s Church in Darien, connecting Opus members with the children who receive scholarships to attend summer camp. 

At the Balloons for Campers Day in May, Opus and Person-to-Person jointly raised more than $140,000 to help send 500 children from low-income families in Stamford to area summer day camps. 

The Person-to-Person Campership Program provides safe and positive environments for these children during the summer months, while alleviating their parents’ childcare concerns.

Back by popular demand, Opus’ next big fundraiser is the “BigGER Rig Gig,” taking place on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien. 

Last year’s sold-out event raised close to $45,000. The 2nd annual BigGER Rig Gig is a casual evening of fun for grown ups, complete with gourmet food trucks, a local band and games. 

Tickets will go on sale in early August 2014 and will be inclusive of all food, drinks and games. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets early, as last year's event sold out quickly. 

Money raised at the BigGER Rig Gig will help fund Person-to-Person’s Emergency Food Pantry, which faces increased demand in support of Person-to-Person’s ongoing initiative in the Stamford Public Elementary Schools. 

Nearly 50 percent of Stamford school children qualify to receive free or reduced-price school meals during the school year, but because this program is not available during the summer months, many parents are forced to stretch overburdened budgets. Person-to-Person provides many of these qualified families with groceries from their Food Pantry. 

Following the success of family concert Snowflakes, Songs & Slices in January 2014, Opus plans to bring back the all-ages benefit on Saturday, January 24, 2015. Children will be treated to a lively, interactive band, pizza dinner and some creative arts & crafts.

Plans are also underway for the annual spring benefit, which is typically the largest fundraiser of the year. Last May, the Cinco de Mayo-themed “Fiesta on the Sound” – held at Wee Burn Beach Club in Rowayton – raised approximately $138,000 for Person-to-Person. This year’s spring gala will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at the Wee Burn Country Club in Darien.

New and prospective members can learn more about Opus’ mission and how to become involved at a New Member Coffee on Wednesday, October 1, at Browne & Company in Darien. Event details will be announced in August. Businesses interested in becoming corporate sponsors of Opus can contact info@opus4p2p.org.

For more information on Opus, please visit www.opus4p2p.org and become a fan on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/opus4p2p.

 

About Opus for Person-to-Person

For more than 15 years, Opus has supported the Norwalk and Darien-based Person-to-Person through fundraising efforts and public awareness.  

Last year, approximately 24,500 people received assistance from Person-to-Person including food and clothing donations, funds for scholarship and camp programs, layettes for babies, living assistance loans, holiday toy store and more.  For more information on this growing organization of more than 200 women and how to get involved, visit http://www.opus4p2p.org.


Photo captions for Board of Directors:

FRONT ROW, left to right:

Kathryn Mann, Nicole Harder, Christa FitzPatrick, Vice President Patty Deery, Co-Presidents Caroline Gallagher, Elizabeth Hole and Sarah Caras, Amie Willis, Jennifer Sherman and Liz Ezbiansky

 

SECOND ROW, left to right:

Lindsay Warnke, Tasha Blair, Erica Spraker, Katie Briggs, Hope Barton, Kate Cusack, Catherine Webb, Jordan Castellani, Katherine Sakara, Gina Gromelski, Carol Faherty, Pam Byrne and Kristina Gregory
Not Pictured: Jennifer Barbagallo

(Credit: Opus for Person-to-Person)

 

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