First Selectman Tetreau announced today that from June 10, 2016 to June 27, 2016, the Town of Fairfield’s Parks and Recreation Department, which is located at 75 Mill Plain Road, will have a box inside its hallway labeled “Parade Food Drive for Vets” for the public to drop off non-perishable food items that the Fairfield Rotary Club is collecting. The Department’s hours are 6:30 am to 9:30 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
In addition, on Tuesday, June 14th, The Fairfield Rotary Club and Chip’s Family Restaurant will hold a fundraiser and a food collection for our veterans. Normally, the Fairfield Rotary Club collects food and money at the Fairfield Memorial Day Parade, but with the weather cancellation, the Club was unable to do that this year.
Chip’s, which is located at 525 Tunxis Hill Cut Off in Fairfield, has graciously offered to provide three seatings on June 14th at 5 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm at $15 per person with all proceeds benefitting our veterans. Additionally, the Rotary Club will be collecting non-perishable food items at Chips that will be donated to the “Homes For The Brave” in Bridgeport. The public is encouraged to rsvp with their preferred seating time and number of people attending by emailing fairfieldrotaryevent@gmail.com.
Items for donation can include canned goods, coffee, and powder creamers. Should people wish to give items other than food, the Rotary Club is looking for new items such as twin size sheets, pillows, towels and any toiletries. For a full list of requested items, go to www.homesforthebrave.org. Cash donations will also be accepted the evening of the event at Chip’s or checks can also be mailed to: Rotary Club of Fairfield, CT – P.O. Box 411 - Fairfield, CT 06824.
First Selectman Tetreau said, “I want to thank the Fairfield Rotary Club for holding the ‘Pancakes for Vets’ fundraiser at Chip’s and for also collecting food and other items for our hero Veterans at both Chip’s and our Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, I truly appreciate the generosity that George Chatzopoulos and Adam Bajko of Chip’s continuously provide to our community by helping so many important causes.”
About (ABRI)/Homes for the Brave:
Since opening its doors in 2002, Applied Behavioral Rehabilitation Institute, Inc. (ABRI)/Homes for the Brave has provided safe housing, vocational training and job placement, case management services, and life skills coaching to help individuals, especially Veterans, leave homelessness behind. To date, the organization has worked with more than 1000 individuals.
About 12% of the adult homeless population has worn a uniform and served our nation honorably. In Connecticut, it is estimated that there are about 300 homeless Veterans. Nationwide, there are over one million Veterans who are considered at risk for becoming homeless.
ABRI/Homes for the Brave's mission is: “With an emphasis on Veterans, we provide housing and services necessary to help homeless individuals return to productive and meaningful life.”
For information or questions, please contact Fairfield Rotary member Oscar Recalde at 203.254.7900 or oscar@orecalde.com.