Homes for the Brave (HFTB) held a festive kickoff event on Saturday morning for their signature fundraiser, the Step OUT for the Brave 40,000 Step Challenge. The nine-day fundraiser is officially underway, allowing participants to take steps to end Veteran homelessness, and new participants are still welcome to join.
Between Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 14 participants from across the country take steps wherever they are to help those who served our country return to a life of independence. To participate, visit http://homesforthebrave.org/stepout2022 to sign up or become a sponsor. Donations will also be accepted through August 31.
The kickoff event, held on the University of Bridgeport campus, featured live entertainment, refreshments and a chance to win prizes. Alyssa Rae Taglia of WTNH Channel 8 was the kickoff emcee, Miss CT 2022 Cynthia Dias sang the national anthem and musician John Fazio Jr. of Bethel, Connecticut performed as a one-man band.
The challenge is named for the almost 40,000 Veterans experiencing homelessness across America. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, since 2019, the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness has increased. Social isolation and lack of support are contributing factors to Veterans having a higher risk of experiencing homelessness than non-Veterans.
“At Homes for the Brave, we provide housing and services to help those experiencing homelessness so they may return to productive and meaningful lives. This fundraiser is vitally important to our ability to help prepare them to live independently,” said CEO and Executive Director, Vince Santilli. “Please consider participating or making a generous donation.”
Homes for the Brave would like to thank its current sponsors, including Platinum sponsors University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport Islanders, Total Mortgage Arena, Haynes Construction, Haynes Group, Friend of HFTB and Sterling Investment Partners; Gold sponsors Bob & Amy Stefanowski and Teamsters Local 1150; Red White & Blue sponsors Knights of Columbus Park City Council #16, Microboard Processing and Petit Family Foundation; Silver sponsors Liberty Print, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Advantage America Paperboard, Albertus Magnus College, People's United Bank, T. Arduini Co., Inc., CT Veterans Day Patriot Race, Vazzano's Four Seasons, Turner Construction Company, King Industries, and Connecticut Community Bank; Winner’s Circle sponsors Kiwanis Club of Bridgeport, AT&T, Mutual Security Credit Union, AVANGRID, County Electric Construction, Bernadette Baldino, Connecticare, Newtown Savings Bank, Prudential, and Cushman & Wakefield; Salute Our Veterans Sponsors Gerard Musto, Mary V. White, Randy Abrams, Sabino Rodriguez, Walt Benson, Yma Sherry, Debra Greenwood, A. John Walker, Paul Mayer, Jim Allison, and Michael Yannotti.
To learn more about Homes for the Brave, or to make a donation, please visit www.HomesForTheBrave.org or call 203.338.0669.