Boys & Girls Village Fundraiser Raises Nearly $200,000

Boys & Girls Village hosted its inaugural “Compass To Success” Fundraiser on Thursday, June 7th. The spectacular event raised nearly $200,000 to support at-risk children and families throughout the state who often have histories of abuse neglect, and are in need of behavioral health, educational, or family reunification services.

Over 150 of the community’s most philanthropic residents and business leaders enjoyed a lively evening of mingling, listening to inspiring student speakers and competing for exciting auction prizes while taking in the breathtaking views of Black Rock Yacht Club. Steven di Costanzo, general manager for independent radio station WPKN, was emcee for the evening and Bridgeport’s Source Coffeehouse provided delicious coffee drinks to end the evening.

Special guest Chaz, from WPLR’s Chaz and AJ in the Morning Show, expressed to the crowd, “I don’t want to think what the kids’ lives would be like across the state of Connecticut without this organization.” WPLR runs an annual holiday toy drive, with children served by Boys & Girls Village among the recipients. “If we don’t get toys to those kids from the toy drive, they might not get any presents,” he said.

“These are kids that grew up in circumstances that made their lives much more challenging,” said Steven M. Kant, M.D., President and CEO of Boys & Girls Village. “We rely 100% on the goodwill of the community, and a little help at just the right time makes all the difference for these children.”

Funds raised included matching funds provided by The Village Foundation, Inc. Proceeds from this event will support the essential services provided by Boys & Girls Village, including behavioral health, educational and permanency planning services for at-risk youth and their families. Since its founding 76 years ago, Boys & Girls Village has touched the lives of approximately 30,000 children and families from 50 Connecticut communities. Learn more at www.bgvillage.org.

Boys & Girls Village would like to thank its dedicated event committee and the generous sponsors who made the evening a success, including presenting sponsor Bismark Construction; and BIC; Aflac; L.H. Brenner Insurance; Thompson & Peck, Inc.; Beirne Wealth Consulting; NSI; Eastern Glass and Shower Door; CBP; Lincoln Financial Group; G. Pic and Sons Construction Company; Xpozur Art Gallery; United Healthcare; Beers, Hamerman, Cohen & Burger, PC; The Human Resource Consulting Group; Newtown Savings Bank; Ferraro Custom Woodworking; Lamberti’s Italian Sausage; Spectrum Floors Inc.; Power and Network Solutions; Stratford Pipe and Engineering Co., Inc.; VAS Quality Works; Berchem Moses PC; A-1 Toyota and the LoRicco Family, as well as media sponsor, Fairfield Living Magazine/Moffly Media.