Westport BNI Hosts Chill Out, Grill Out & Give
To Help Support the Homeless Children in Westport
The Westport Business Network International (BNI®) is inviting local businesses, friends, family and colleagues to Chill Out, Grill Out & Give on Sunday, July 15th at 2 p.m. on the Green Farms Elementary School grounds, 17 Morningside Drive, South, Westport (the corner of Post Road East). Rain-date: Sunday July 22. The picnic benefits the homeless children in Westport.
“We’re providing the food, drinks and fun. Entry is $20 per person and free for children under 12 and additional donations are welcome. You may bring your own picnic lunch to the event. Last year, people brought food, drinks, guitars, frisbees and baseball equipment. It was great fun.” said Bill Hall, President, Westport BNI Chapter.
Chill Out, Grill Out & Give is designed to bring the business and residential community together “to raise awareness and funds so desperately needed for the homeless children in Westport. They are here, and few people know about this. They need our help.” explained Allyson Maida, LCSW, a local psychotherapist and Event Chair.
“The Westport BNI members are passionate about helping children and their parents who are homeless. It is an honor to serve our community and we are excited to bring people together for a day of fun that has an impact.” said Ernie Addario, chapter Secretary/Treasurer and Salon Owner/Style Director of Phillip Bruce Salon and Westport’s new Salon Paul Michael.
Last year, Chill Out, Grill Out & Give raised over $7,200 with every dollar allocated to the children’s needs. Homes with Hope, who administrates these funds, provides supportive programming and transitional housing for the children (ages newborn to 18) and their parents. “There are day-to-day expenses such as birthday cakes and rides to and from the science fair that are not covered by traditional funding sources. Their parents shouldn’t have to decide between buying a few days’ worth of food or hosting a small birthday party. Children and teens should not have to feel left out when their friends invite them to activities and they can’t go simply because they do not have the funds to go out for something like ice cream. These are children, who for now, live in our community. They are growing up with our children, in schools and a community that can support their developmental well-being. They deserve our best.” explained Maida.
To learn more about Chill Out, Grill Out & Give, contact Allyson@AllysonMaida.com. Entry and donations will be accepted at the entrance gate of the event. Additional tax-deductible donations can be made by sending a check made payable to: The Westport BNI (write “Homes with Hope” in the memo section) and mail to Allyson Maida, 840 Post Rd East, Westport, CT 06880.
About Homes with Hope
Homes with Hope is a Westport-based community resource for individuals and families experiencing, or at the risk of experiencing, homelessness by providing food, safe emergency shelter, supportive services, and housing as tools to achieve independent lives. With caring expertise, this organization provides specialized services such as those for traumatized children and their parents who experience homelessness. To learn more about Homes with Hope’s services visit their website at www.hwhct.org.
About BNI:
With over 220,000 members in 8,000-plus chapters worldwide, BNI is the world’s leading referral organization. In 2017, BNI referrals generated $13.6 billon USD in revenue for member businesses.
About The Westport BNI Chapter
Founded in 2012, The Westport BNI Chapter consists of 55 business professionals who help each other grow their businesses. Every Thursday between 7 – 9 am, members meet to build lasting relationships and qualified business referrals. Membership in BNI® offers access to business training, peer learning, network and the opportunity to do business with hundreds of thousands of BNI® members locally, nationally and globally. For further information, contact www.WestportBNI.com.