OPUS FOR PERSON-TO-PERSON AND DARIEN SPORT SHOP HOST CAMPERSHIP PICNIC FOR LOCAL KIDS

To celebrate summer, Opus for Person-to-Person hosted more than 30 children at its annual campership picnic, held Thursday, July 17, on the front lawn of St. Luke’s Parish in Darien. Sponsored by the Darien Sport Shop, the event featured lawn games, arts and crafts, and a magic show with Amazing Andy. Lunch and ice cream was provided for the campers by the Cow-abunga Food Truck. 

Guests were school-aged children who receive scholarships from Opus and Person-to-Person to attend summer camp. For the volunteers, it was a rewarding opportunity to meet those who benefit from this signature program.

“The Campership Program is one of our primary initiatives, and one of the most crucial,” said Tori Bolger,
co-president of Opus for Person-to-Person. “Thanks to community support, we’re able to help send almost
600 children from low-income families to summer camp each year. This not only helps campers build life skills,
but it also gives working parents a safe and dynamic environment for their children.”

All children considered for Camperships live in low-income households in Stamford and are referred through their schools. Typically, Opus and Person-to-Person Camperships serve approximately 15% of the total number of children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals in Stamford, a primary criterion for consideration.

Opus raises money throughout the year for Camperships, but the majority of the funds come from the annual Balloons for Campers Day event. Held on May 18 this year, it raised more than $60,000 to send close to 600 children to local day camps this summer. Kelly Associates was the lead sponsor for the balloon fundraiser.   

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 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.