Annual “A View of the Harbor” Event Benefits Mercy Learning Center

Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport celebrated its 25^th Anniversary with friends and supporters on Sunday, September 30^th at the beautiful Country Club of Fairfield.  The picturesque views of Southport’s harbor and Long Island Sound were the backdrop to the Center’s signature fundraiser, “A View of the Harbor.”  Held annually, the evening featured an elegant cocktail party with live and silent auctions, a presentation about the Center, tutor and student testimonials, and an opportunity to socialize and celebrate the Center’s mission to “Educate a Woman… Educate a Family.” 

“We are sincerely grateful for all those who participated in the View of the Harbor and, through their generosity, supported the need for literacy education among women in greater Bridgeport,” remarked Jane E. Ferreira, President and CEO of Mercy Learning Center.

Harbor sponsors included the Mabel B. Fischer Grant Foundation, Mountain Hill Investment Partners, Mr. & Mrs. James Orazio, and Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Wilson; Lighthouse sponsors were Mr. & Mrs. Bradford Evans, Hampford Research, Pitney Bows, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Shea, and W.B. Mason.  

This year’s event was co-chaired by Lorraine Wilson of Monroe and Mary-Pat O’Neil of Easton. Committee members included Lee Toth of Bridgeport; Polly Edwards of Easton; Wendy Anderson-Brachfeld, Susan Burstein, Ann Calcutt, Suzanne Castle, Mary Cunningham, Beth Davis, Ellen Donnelly, Nealy Madsen, Diane Melish, Sue Pinzon and Joan Van de Berghe of Fairfield; Karen Collett of Hamden; Kathy Gschwind of Redding; Mary Butula of Trumbull; Barbara Kleban, Debbie Krieg and Karen Krupnik of Weston; Clare Clark, Beth Enriquez, Peter Flatow, Maureen Fontana, Karen Harman, Mary McKenna, Sarah Menchaca, Diane Parrish, Maggie Rotanz, and Barbara Szefc of Westport.

Proceeds from “A View of the Harbor” benefit Mercy Learning Center’s newly expanded literacy and life skills programs, which serve more than 700 women and 150 children each year. The Center focuses on educating and empowering low-income, undereducated women from the greater Bridgeport area. Its goal is to raise each woman’s educational functioning level, and prepare women to earn a GED or high school diploma, enter college, secure sustainable employment, and provide a better future for her family.

To learn more about Mercy Learning Center, visit www.mercylearningcenter.org.