Kiwanis Club teeing it up against homelessness

By Bill Bittar
Published: April 15, 2010, in Fairfield-Sun.com
http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/fairfieldsun/news/localnews/55693-kiwanis-club-teeing-it-up-against-homelessness-.html

FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT - Homeless men and women eat three meals in the Bridgeport Rescue Mission's dining room, the private organization's mobile kitchen goes into the city every night, and groceries are donated to needy families through the Pantry Box program.

Linda Casey, director of development at the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, said it provides 50,000 a month, and the need is growing.

The Kiwanis Club of Fairfield's first annual golf tournament, to be held at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull on Monday, May 10, will benefit the Rescue Mission.

"We are ecstatic," Casey said Tuesday. "They could have chosen anybody to be the beneficiary of the proceeds for their first annual golf tournament, and they chose us. It's a particular blessing because we're entering the period that we call our ‘summer slump.'"

During holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, there is a strong emphasis on helping those in need. Casey said the generosity fades afterwards, though the need does not.

Fairfield Kiwanis has a tradition of raising funds for children and needy families in the community through fund-raisers such as its craft fair, poinsettia sale, a peanut sale during the Memorial Day Parade and a citrus sale in the winter.

"We give out five scholarships to local high school seniors and families who cannot afford to send their children to college," said John Hackett, vice president of Fairfield Kiwanis.

He said all scholarships are awarded based on merit and academics.

"The proceeds will go to a good cause this year," Hackett said of the Rescue Mission. "They do much for the community. We feel good that we can step up and help them."

Hackett said the Kiwanis Club has had a relationship with the Bridgeport Rescue Mission for the past two years, having donated food and clothing. He said about 20 club members also gave out food baskets to needy families with the Rescue Mission at Thanksgiving time.

Hitting the greens

Registration for the May 10 tournament is at 10 a.m. at the Tashua Knolls Golf Course, 40 Tashua Knolls Lane, Trumbull.

The tournament gets underway at noon, and a reception follows at 5:30 p.m. with dinner, an awards raffle and an auction at 6 o'clock.

The fee is a $175 donation per person, which covers greens fees, a golf cart, lunch, dinner and a gift bag. However, it's $700 for a party of four.

Prizes can be won throughout the day, including longest drive and closest to the pin. A car will be awarded for a hole in one.

Hackett said items will be needed for the raffle.

There also many opportunities for sponsorships. Those who wish to attend the outing, luncheon and reception as a non-golfer may do so for a $50 donation.

Anyone who cannot attend at all are encouraged to contribute.

Checks should be made payable to Kiwanis Club of Fairfield and mailed to P.O. Box 432, Fairfield, CT 06824.

For more information contact Al Paolozzi at 203-260-8993 or via e-mail at Albert.Paolozzi@peoples.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or Dirk Vanderblue at 203-545-8620 or Vanderblue@aol.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Homelessness on the rise

Casey said meals provided by the Bridgeport Rescue Mission nearly doubled from 2008 to 2009, from 280,000 to 500,000. Worse, she said about 30% of their meals go to children fighting hunger.

The Homelessness Pulse Project Report showed a 27% increase in homelessness in the Bridgeport-Stratford-Fairfield area between the second and third quarter of 2009; and a 16% increase in the newly homeless in the third quarter.

Many turn to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission for help and its services are provided free of charge.

"They do everything," Hackett said. "It's tremendous. The bottom line is they're great people."