Pacific House Raises $345,000 At 20th Annual Pacific House Celebration

Pacific House, a leader in ending homelessness in Fairfield County, hosted its 20th Annual Pacific House Celebration at the Residence Inn by Marriott Stamford Downtown on Thursday, October 21. The event, which was also streamed live for at-home supporters, raised more than $345,000 to support the life-changing services the organization provides.

Pacific House operates an emergency shelter for men and young adults as well as fourteen permanent supportive houses which provide housing for 140 formerly homeless individuals and families. During the pandemic, the organization took precautions to relocate emergency shelter clients to two area hotels to maintain social distancing protocols. Pacific House serves all of Fairfield County, with locations in Stamford, Norwalk, and Danbury, Connecticut.

The organization has a strong network of support, including some of the community’s most philanthropic residents and business leaders. These supporters have allowed Pacific House to respond to the needs of those struggling with homelessness in Fairfield County for over 36 years. At the event, community partners were honored for their assistance during the past year.

Robert Morris, Founder and Managing Partner, Olympus Partners was honored with the Leadership Award for his longtime support and work last year in helping Pacific House during the pandemic. Morris and his firm acted swiftly at the start of the pandemic to help the organization move clients from the emergency shelter to two area hotels to keep them safe.

Sam Cingari, and the Cingari Family of Grade A – ShopRite, were honored with the Constant Contributor Award for over 25 years of support to Pacific House. Over the years, Grade A – ShopRite has hired shelter clients, and during the pandemic, the firm provided nutritious meals for Pacific House clients.

The Community Health Center of Stamford was honored with the Safety Award. The organization administered COVID-19 vaccinations to Pacific House shelter clients, staff and residents of Pacific House deeply affordable supportive housing. In addition, Community Health Center checked up on clients throughout the pandemic and provided health education.

Pacific House honored New Covenant Center / Catholic Charities of Fairfield County with the President’s Circle Award for donating more than 30,000 meals to Pacific House to ensure that clients had food throughout the pandemic. This allowed Pacific House to serve three nutritious meals per day to each client.

The First Congregational Church of Greenwich, which has supported Pacific House for over 26 years, was honored with a Making A Difference Award for its work in supporting the “Baskets of Hope’ initiative. This program provides essentials to outfit a home, including kitchen items, and items for the bathroom and bedrooms to welcome formerly homeless individuals to their new home.

The crowd enjoyed a festive cocktail hour, and participated in naming opportunities for beds at the emergency shelter as well as the individual supportive houses and their individual units.

"We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported Pacific House tonight,” said Rafael Pagan, Jr., Executive Director of Pacific House. “The funds raised will help to provide food and shelter, as well as case management services, recovery programming, employment training and housing. Together, these services help homeless individuals on their journey towards independence.”

Pacific House would like to thank the event’s sponsors, including Title Sponsor: The Vranos Family Foundation, Platinum Sponsors: Alice Melly, Chris and Lauren Tate, and the Rogers Family Foundation, Gold Sponsors: Bob Phillips, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury, First County Bank, Justin and Marie Maccarone, Bob and Jinny Rimmer, Rob and Holly Lockhart, Stamford Health, Jim Duffy, Joan Weisman and Webster Bank, N.A., Silver Sponsors: Community Health Center, Inc., Eileen and Tom Hynes, Finn Family Foundation, Sarita and Gregory Hanley, Boni Construction, Frank Corvino, and Nielsen Florist & Garden Center.

Pacific House, formerly Shelter for the Homeless, is the only regional shelter for homeless men and young adults serving all of Fairfield County, with locations in Stamford, Norwalk, and Danbury, Connecticut. For over 36 years, Pacific House has been serving our community by providing food, temporary shelter, an array of support services and housing to homeless men and young adults. www.PacificHouse.org

Photo Credit: Jenna Bascom / Big Picture Photography

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Submitted by Danbury, CT

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