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Health & Fitness

Near & Far Aid Celebrates Another Year of Giving

Nearly 100 local professionals, philanthropists and volunteers descended on the Pequot Library in Southport on September 10th to laud the accomplishments of Near & Far Aid and the organization’s successful year of fundraising and fund granting. 

The organization’s fiscal year closed on August 31st and Vice President and Projects Review Chair, Bitsy Higgins of Westport, proudly announced $978,000 granted to 90 non-profit  agencies targeting poverty in Fairfield County. The granting process requires intensive review of applications, financial documents, project scopes and outcomes as well as personal site visits to ensure the funds granted make the maximum impact on the lives of those living in poverty in Fairfield County.

Near & Far Aid, known for hosting dynamic fundraising events, boasted a very successful year with net operating income over $1 million dollars, a milestone not surpassed since the 2008 economic downturn 

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Loyal event sponsors, Porsche of Fairfield and Harman were on hand to receive the Community Compassion Award for their generosity and commitment to the mission of Near & Far Aid.  Accepting on behalf of Porsche of Fairfield was General Manager John Resnick who graciously thanked Near & Far Aid on behalf of all the employees on the Penske auto campus in Fairfield.  Darrin Shewchuck, Director of Corporate Communications for Stamford-based Harman, accepted the award citing the synergy between Harman and Near & Far Aid, articulating how both touch people’s lives every day in meaningful ways. 

A highlight of the evening included the presentation of the Jeannie Fay Award, granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors to a volunteer who, without previous formal recognition, has volunteered selflessly for at least 10 years and demonstrated outstanding dedication to the work of the organization.  The recipient demonstrates the standard of caring that was first established by the organization’s founder, Jeannie Fay.  This year’s award went to Near & Far Aid’s “Super Hero,” Miggs Burroughs of Westport.   Burroughs, a local artist, author and innovator aids many local charities and for the all-volunteer Near & Far Aid, Burroughs has assisted with audio visual production on events for many years. 

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The evening was capped with a presentation by Joseph M. Carbone, President and CEO of The WorkPlace, Inc of Bridgeport.  Mr. Carbone shared with the audience data about the economic recovery and it’s reflection on the long-term unemployed in Connecticut and lower Fairfield County.  Carbone commended Near & Far Aid for their diligence in reviewing grant recipients and making a material difference in the programs they fund. 

 The President’s gavel was passed from Westport resident Jeanne Burris to Bitsy Higgins.  Next on Near & Far Aid’s busy agenda is the Golf Classic 2013, scheduled for September 23 in Southport, CT. For more information, please go to www.nearandfaraid.org

 

 

 

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