Old Lyme Church To Help Local Families Facing Sudden Deportation

OLD LYME, CT – The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme (FCCOL) will hold “An Evening in Celebration of Our Immigrant Roots,” an event featuring silent auctions, raffle contests, wine tastings, free hors d’oeuvres and live music. Officials hope to raise money through this evening to help local immigrant families facing sudden deportations.

The fund-raising event will take place Saturday, September 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, according to a release. Suggested donation for admission is $20, payable at the door the night of the event.

A number of local businesses and individuals have donated silent auction or raffle items or food. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

They include 30 Mile Brewing Co., Anna’s Cafe, Ann Lightfoot Jewelry, Essence Center for Beauty and Wellness, Essex Chocolatier & Coffee Bar, Florence Griswold Museum, Fromage Fine Foods & Coffees, Garde Arts Center, Judy Friday Gallery, Lark, Sennheiser, Squared Circle Studio, The Chocolate Shell, White Gate Farm and local artists such as Angie Falstrom, Diana Lord, Lina Tuck and Tina West. Matt McCauley and the Jazz Circle will also be on hand, playing sets of live music.

All proceeds from the event will go to support the charitable work of the FCCOL Immigration Assistance Committee, which helps immigrant families:

• connect with social service agencies that offer free or low-cost aid before and during a deportation proceeding
• understand the need to prepare for and respond to a potential deportation situation, particularly when their families include children who are U.S. residents
• learn their rights under federal and state law
• avoid common immigration-services scams

Full details on the event can be found on the church’s website at www.fccol.org/event/celebration.

Local residents who are unable to attend the event but would like to support the work of FCCOL’s Immigration Assistance Committee, can send a tax-deductible contribution via check or money order to the Immigration Assistance Fund at 2 Ferry Road in Old Lyme (06371).

Image via Shutterstock