Stamford, Greenwich, Darien Businesses Support First Responder Mental Health Fundraiser

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford, Greenwich and Darien have donated restaurant gifts and auction prizes to Fairfield County Trauma Response Team (FCTRT) and its fundraiser supporting first responders' mental health.

The nonprofit organization was started after a fatal fire that occurred in Stamford on Christmas Day in 2011.

Today, FCTRT provides referrals to clinicians trained in trauma treatment, workshops, support groups and assistance for first responder families. Its services are available to police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, dispatchers and animal control officers.

The silent auction has 23 packages representing nearly $12,000 in donated items.

Bidding closes Sunday, Sept. 27, at 11:59 p.m. EST. A separate restaurant raffle has prizes worth more than $8,500 from 102 restaurants and food businesses. Raffle ticket sales close Wednesday, Sept. 30, and the drawing is planned for Friday, Oct. 2.

The fundraising began at a Sept. 13 event at Stonebridge Restaurant in Milford featuring Shilelagh Law. Torrential morning rain reduced turnout, and organizers continued the auction and restaurant raffle online.

"We need your support. We can’t do this without you," volunteer fundraiser organizer Meghan Rice said in a news release.

Auction bidding, raffle tickets and T-shirt purchases are available at https://fctrt.org/silent-auction/.

In Greenwich, seven businesses contributed to a $1,000 restaurant raffle package. It includes $100 from Bistro V, dinner for two valued at $150 from Elm Street Oyster House, $150 from Le Penguin, $100 from Raphaël’s Bakery, $150 from Eastend, $100 from The Ginger Man and $100 from Fjord Fish Market. Two Westport Country Playhouse tickets valued at $150 complete the package. Greenwich resident Susan Marcus is the team’s president and media chair.

The Stamford raffle package is valued at $750. It includes $100 from Bedford Hall, $75 from Columbus Park Trattoria, $50 from Tigín Irish Pub, $50 from Towne Parlor Pizza & Pints, $100 from Mecha Noodle Bar, $100 from Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar, $100 from Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse and a $25 Lorca Coffee Bar gift card. Two Westport Country Playhouse tickets valued at $150 are also included.

Stamford businesses contributed to the silent auction as well. Noëlle Spa & Salon donated a $200 gift card paired with a $150 Capital Grille gift card in a $350 package. RPM Raceway contributed to a family adventure package.

In Darien, Rory’s Restaurant, Ten Twenty Post, Bodega Taco Bar and Roots Ocean Prime contributed $375 in gift cards to a combined $675 Brookfield and Darien raffle package. Their contributions are $75, $150, $50 and $100, respectively. The package also includes $50 each from Twins BBQ Co., Maggie McFly’s and Black Bull Steakhouse in Brookfield, along with two Westport Country Playhouse tickets valued at $150.

Each of the 13 restaurant raffle packages will have one winner who receives all the gifts listed for that package. Tickets cost $10 each, $100 for 11 tickets or $500 for 60 tickets. Buyers can put their entries toward one package or divide them among packages.

Auction offerings include a two-night stay in the Hamptons, a $1,500 golf package and a children’s birthday party package. The team also has event T-shirts available for purchase.