Oh, what a night! Operation Hope’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on May 8 at Brooklawn Country Club was an unforgettable evening of giving and gratitude as we honored the donors, volunteers, partners and staff who make our mission possible, now and over the past 40 years. Thank you all for being a part of our journey and for recognizing that you can make someone’s day a little brighter.
We gathered to recognize a beloved local grassroots organization, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Fairfield & Southport, as our 2025 Champion of Hope. Like Operation Hope’s founders 40 years ago, this organization’s founders, Helene Daly and Alexis Harrison, also saw a need during a time of great distress and quickly mobilized the community to create a solution to help our neighbors in need. We are forever grateful.
Many thanks to our generous sponsors:
- Platinum: Alan & Betty Feldman, Global Infrastructure Partners, Jersey Mike’s Fairfield, M&T Bank, Santa Energy
- Gold: Black Rock Church, Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, Ivan Maisel & Meg Murray
- Silver: Elicit Brewing Company, Father Coleman Foundation, First Church of Fairfield, Henry C. Reid & Son Jewelers, Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- Bronze: Angel Commercial, Andy & Liz Montelli, CAPRI, CLA, Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market, Laura Shattuck, Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, Town Fair Tire,  Yale New Haven Health Bridgeport Hospital
- Media: ConnectFairfield, Hello Neighbors Fairfield County
Our gratitude goes to special guest Reverend David Spollett of First Church of Fairfield for recounting the visionary response to the challenge of local hunger and homelessness he shares with Operation Hope co-founders Rabbi Leon Waldman of Congregation Beth El and Former First Selectwoman and State Representative Jacky Durrell. Â
We extend our deepest appreciation to Event Chair and Board Member Joan Ryan for taking the reins to lead the committee. Thanks to the Event Committee: Beth Andrews, Evie Angel, Suzanne Francis, Kelly O’Brien, Sonal Rajan, Sharon Risley (Board Member)  and Michelle Stearns. Serving as auctioneer, Board Member Dan Pascone encouraged guests, with humor and grace, to dig deep to help support our mission. Our Board of Directors is always at the ready with a helping hand, and for that, we are truly grateful.Â
Thank you to the individual donors and business donors who contributed the dozens and dozens of items for the silent and live auctions. Every winning bid and every program ad purchased for your product or service resulted in money raised to directly help our neighbors in need.
Thanks to Brooklawn Country Club for graciously hosting our 40th Anniversary Celebration. We couldn’t have asked for better weather or a more beautiful venue.
To view photos, please see the Facebook album here. The album is available for anyone to view, even if you do not have a Facebook account. Thanks to David Gray of GrayPeak Images for capturing the beauty of the evening!
Missed Operation Hope’s 40th Anniversary Celebration but still want to help? Please make a donation here.
Together, we can continue to offer people the opportunity to experience transformative change. Together, we can ensure that everyone has supportive relationships, hope for the future and a place to call home.