Dressing Up for Nostalgic Fall Fundraising Event

GIFTS OF LOVE SEEKS ATTENDEES, SPONSORS & DONORS FOR “SPEAKEASY” FALL FUNDRAISER ON OCT 25th-

(AVON, CONN) – September 12, 2024 – Gifts of Love, a non-profit organization that provides food, clothing and household items to Connecticut individuals and families facing a financial crisis, invites all residents to take a trip back in time and pay homage to the roaring 1920’s and 30’s by supporting its 2nd Annual Fall Fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 from 6:30 to 10:30 pm in Farmington. Called “Club 35”, in honor of the charity’s 35th anniversary, Gifts of Love is encouraging all attendees to wear exciting, era-appropriate dress at the event venue, Farmington Gardens, located at 999 Farmington Avenue in Farmington, Conn.

“We’re looking forward to recreating American life a century ago with delicious food, colorful outfits and gorgeous décor to support the cause of assisting local residents with vital basic needs in our society today,” said Lisa Gray, Executive Director of Gifts of Love. “Although our event follows the speakeasy theme, an extensive variety of delicious drinks and spirits will be flowing!”

Gray notes that event partners currently include:

• Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming in Bloomfield
• Carmon Funeral Homes in Windsor
• Liberty Bank in Middletown

“In order to hit our fundraising goal of $57,000, we are really relying upon the entire Connecticut community to help us in any way possible whether that’s donating an auction item, buying a ticket or creating a customized business partnership,” adds Gray. “As we have witnessed a 155% increase in clients accessing our pantries over the past two years, we must keep up with the demand so that no one in our state lives without adequate food or clothing.”

Gifts of Love services over 40 towns across Connecticut by offering a fully-stocked grocery pantry consisting of non-perishable items, paper goods, personal hygiene items, meats, and fresh produce and dairy products, a housewares and small appliances pantry and a clothing boutique, where clients can come and shop once a month. The organization has two locations- in Avon and in Hartford- to make it easy for those in need to access necessary goods and services. It is also on the front lines of fighting childhood hunger with its Weekend Food Backpack Program, during which it distributes backpacks stuffed with easy-to-prepare meals and drinks to more than 300 students each week who are receiving free or reduced-cost lunches throughout the school year.

The “Club 35” fundraising event will feature dinner, cocktails, beer, wine, live entertainment, a live and silent auction, a wine pull and a variety of engaging activities.

Individual tickets are $125 and a table of 10 costs $1,250. Both can be purchased in advance at www.giftsoflovect.org. To become an event partner or to donate a live auction item, contact: info@giftsoflovect.org or call 860-676-2323.

About Gifts of Love

For 35 years, Gifts of Love has helped meet the basic needs of individuals and families in more than 40 Connecticut towns who are experiencing short-term financial crises so they can return to self-sufficiency and regain independence. The non-profit provides food, clothing and household

Necessities to individuals and families in need. Most importantly, Gifts of Love provides a sense of hope to those in search of a better future. For more information visit https://giftsoflovect.org/.