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Community Corner

Artists, Community Flock to Birdhouse Auction

This well-received annual fundraiser supports Project Return's Therapeutic Home for Young Girls.

For more than a decade, local artists have supported Project Return's annual Birdhouse Auction. This year's event, scheduled for Friday, March 19, continues that tradition.

During the fundraiser, now in its 15th year, more than 150 handcrafted birdhouses will be placed on the auction block, with all proceeds benefitting Project Return, a Westport-based therapeutic group home residence that helps to meet the specialized needs of adolescent girls in crisis.

Despite the economic climate, Totney Benson, the birdhouse acquisitions coordinator, is very optimistic about this year's event.  "This fund-raiser has always been remarkably successful," she said. "We've gotten a tremendous amount of support this year. We are very excited by the number of sponsors we have this year. Sponsorship has doubled over last year."

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All of the handcrafted items to be auctioned during the annual fundraiser are either working or decorative birdhouses or artistic creations that have a bird-related theme. Works to be sold this year range from small size pieces, such as napkin rings and jewelry, to a Purple Martin birdhouse that stands about 30 inches high. Paintings, handbags and wall-hangings round out the offerings.

"As always, the entries are all very, very creative," Benson said. "The concepts and quality of materials used in the submissions is quite impressive."

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She noted that this year's entries include more outdoor birdhouses than in previous years. "I've also noticed that this year's entries are very colorful," Benson said. "At least eight items are aqua."

The fundraiser will be held at a new venue this year. Festivities will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. March 19 at the Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton. Light dinner fare will be accompanied by desserts, courtesy of The Pantry in Fairfield, and a martini bar, compliments of Tito's handmade vodka. 

In addition to the artwork, vacations will be up for auction, including a trip to Paris and Prague.

Admission to the Project Return Birdhouse Auction is $140 in advance or $150 at the door. For further information about Project Return or the Birdhouse Stroll and Auction, visit www.projectreturnct.org, or call 203-291-6402.

Birdhouse Stroll Set for March 11

For those who would like a "bird's-eye" view of what the auction will offer, the eighth annual Project Return Birdhouse Stroll will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. March 11.

About 60 stores in downtown Westport are participating in the event by showcasing this year's birdhouse submissions in their window displays. "We have some new stores on board year," Benson said. "J. Crew and Coach are involved, which is nice that the chains are willing to support us."

Festivities begin  with a wine and appetizer reception at Brooks Brothers on Main Street.  Artist-guided tours of birdhouses will follow with stops along the way for food and drink at Brooks Brothers Women and Tiffany & Co. The event concludes with a dessert gathering at TD Bank, where door prizes, including gift certificates from J. Crew, Eileen Fisher, Jacadi, and Fast Frame, along with luxury items including an ostrich clutch bag from Lucy's, will be awarded.  The event is free and open to the public.

About Project Return

Project Return has served adolescent girls and young women in crisis for 26 years through its therapeutic group home facility and a variety of other programs that develop self-esteem, resiliency and independence.

Many of the young women who have lived at Project Return have been victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse; some suffer from eating disorders, depression, homelessness, and substance abuse.
       
Project Return provides its residents with a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where the young women can rebuild their lives through programming that fosters self-esteem, communication skills, a sense of personal responsibility and the understanding that they can both love and be loved.

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