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Community Corner

OPUS 'BigGER Rig Gig' Sells Out, Raises Almost $45K

Opus for Person-to-Person kicked off a new fall fundraiser with a sold-out crowd of nearly 300 guests, raising close to $45,000 for the agency. Proceeds from the first-ever BigGER Rig Gig, which took place on September 21, at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien, will go directly to support Person-to-Person’s efforts in serving more than 23,000 individuals in need from neighboring communities on an annual basis.

Guests enjoyed a casual evening under the stars, as they sampled gourmet fare from food trucks and listened to live music by award-winning Greenwich cover band The Short Bus. Lawn games such as corn hole and ping pong were a popular draw. The event also included a raffle and paddle raise to help support Person-to-Person. Purchasing raffle tickets was tied directly with raising “grocery bag” funds to help stock Person-to-Person’s two emergency food pantries’ shelves heading into the colder months.

“It was exciting to launch a fresh, new fall fundraising event to such a receptive crowd,” said Jen Forlizzi, Co-President of Opus for Person-to-Person. “The BigGER Rig Gig exceeded our expectations, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated committee and generous support of our sponsors and the community.”

The BigGER Rig Gig was made possible by Lead Sponsor Ring’s End as well as Key Sponsors Connecticut Green, Kelly Real Estate, and the Ox Ridge Hunt Club. Serendipity served as media sponsor, while several other local businesses lent their support and services. The gourmet food trucks featured at the event included: Christophe’s Crepes, Fjord Fisheries, Hot Off The Grille, Preppy Pig BBQ, Skinny Pines Organic Pizza and Taco Pacifico. Decadent desserts were provided by Bash.

Four days before the BigGER Rig Gig, Person-to-Person celebrated a Grand Reopening of its Norwalk facility at 76 Main Street. The month-long renovation included a complete re-organization of space to better accommodate both clients and caseworkers, and the creation of a new self-serve food pantry where clients shop alongside volunteers to choose the food they know their families will eat. The Norwalk food pantry is one of two pantries operated by Person-to-Person that supplies groceries for residents of Lower Fairfield County. Every week, both food pantries together provide more than 200 families with seven days of food. 

For more information on Opus for Person-to-Person, visit the website at www.opus4p2p.org. Please email info@opus4p2p.org regarding donations and upcoming volunteer opportunities.

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, nearly 23,000 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.

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