Please join us for Sunset Cocktails –FRIDAY, MAY 10 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

The 2019 Near & Far Aid House Tour culminates in a special evening celebration at a stunning, private, waterfront residence in Westport.  Guests are invited to mix and mingle with the designers showcased on the House Tour while enjoying spectacular panoramic views, signature craft cocktails and bites from local food trucks.  

Gather with friends for a lovely evening in celebration of inspired design.

NEAR & FAR AID presents our annual Designer House Tour, Friday, May 10, featuring four exquisitely designed homes in Westport and Fairfield.  An established tradition, the Friday of Mother’s Day weekend brings together friends and family to tour unique homes and their inspired interiors.  The 2019 House Tour offers new experiences for guests at each home including pop-up tastings and a home accessories shop.  The event culminates with sunset cocktails and conversation with the designers from each home on the tour at a special evening party, hosted at a private, waterfront residence.  

TICKETS ON SALE NOW  www.nearandfaraid.org/events

HOUSE TOUR  10AM – 3PM

Tickets: $65 in advance, $75 day of tour

SUNSET COCKTAILS  6:30PM – 9:30PM 

Limited Tickets: $75

Get glammed up for a great cause and join us on Friday, March 1st for this year’s Modern Ball. The fun-filled evening features spectacular live, silent and wine & spirits auctions, dinner, dancing and a ready-to-wear spring fashion runway show curated by our hosts, Mitchells in Westport. 

This can’t-miss event is a key component of our fundraising efforts, which grants $1Million to programs and agencies serving our local community in the fight against poverty. Learn more and buy tickets at https://nearandfaraid.org/event/modern-ball/ 

Our silent auction has never looked better! We’re grateful to the local merchants and generous friends of Near & Far Aid who have donated. 

 This year’s auction includes sought-after experiences including:

·      Sports tickets including premium seats and access at Patriots, Yankee, Red Sox, Mets and Knicks games

·      Private home in Nantucket

·      Food Truck Parties 

·      Art Basel VIP experience with access to exclusive parties 

·      Exclusive foodie experience with award-winning chef, Matt Storch

·      Fashion experience with brands including Veronica Beard 

·      Private lessons with former MLB pitcher, Carl Pavano 

Stay tuned for our LIVE auction preview, coming soon!

Bold, brilliant colors and patterns signal the coming of spring and Near & Far Aid’s annual Gala.  This year’s Modern Ball evokes a fashion-forward theme and promises to be a memorable event you won’t want to miss.  Tickets are available now!  Mark your calendar for Friday, March 1 at 7pm.  Title Sponsor, Mitchells of Westport, will once again host the Gala.  

Fundraising is the focus of the evening and patrons can support the effort through tickets sales, direct donation and bidding in the well-known live and silent auctions whose offerings always include luxury items and travel, as well as unique experiences that provide exclusive access otherwise not available.  The evening will include interactive food displays, a designer fashion show, dice games, a dance party and more. Chairwomen of Modern Ball are Brooks Dibble (Fairfield), Kelsey Johnston (Westport), and Katerina Powers (Fairfield). Powers encourages patrons to embrace the theme and “dress to impress. Showcase your creative and artistic sensibilities – be bold and bright!”

Near & Far Aid President, Kim Meier, echoes Powers’s call to action.  “Join us on March 1 to change a life and have a ball!” Meier goes on to underscore the importance of the evening while punctuating it with a sense of fun, “Gala is a remarkable evening when our patrons come together with a shared commitment to build pathways out of poverty. I applaud our chair women and their volunteer committee who apply creativity to their commitment and produce an engaging evening full of festive surprises.” This year’s “Modern Ball” is a key component of Near & Far Aid’s fundraising efforts that enable the organization to grant more than $1 million annually to programs and agencies that serve the local community’s day-to-day needs, as well as long-term solutions for breaking the cycle of poverty.  Kim Meier, President of Near & Far Aid,

The event will be held at Mitchell’s of Westport at 670 Post Road East on Friday, March 1^st at 7pm. Tickets are $400 Premium Seating for Live Program and $350 Standing Room Only (limited availability).  Visit WWW.NEARANDFARAID.ORG/EVENTS to purchase tickets.  

The 2019 Modern Ball Host Committee is comprised of local philanthropists Suzanne & James Jesse (Co-Chair), Danielle & David Perdue (Co-Chair), Georgia & Charlie Adams, Mindee & Paul Blanco, Cindy & Rob Citrone, Katie Scinto & Joe Emanuel, Karen & Bob Mitchell, and Courtney & John Petti.  Special thank you to current sponsors, Mitchells, The Citrone Thirty-Three Foundation, Jaguar Land Rover Fairfield, Bank of America, Coastal Bridge Advisors, Connecticut Distributors Inc., JP Morgan, Modern Dermatology, New Beauty & Wellness, Tiffany & Co., Westport Magazine/Moffly Media, Crystal & Co., ITG Inc., R.D. Scinto Inc., Securities Traders Association of CT.

Near & Far Aid Makes Million Dollar Impact on Poverty

At Monday’s Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors, Treasurer Paige Fairbaugh announced a final grant total of $1,151,500 for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2018.  Recipients include 106 of the county’s most effective agencies serving the impoverished and working poor.  “Our granting guidelines and mission are designed to fund the programs that can make the biggest impact on the lives of individuals and families who struggle to make ends meet in Fairfield County, home to one of the largest income gaps in the nation,” said Joan Panagos, Chairman of Grant Reviews.

Of the 106 agencies receiving funds from Near & Far Aid, 46% service Bridgeport where the largest population of under-served individuals reside in the county.  Stamford and Norwalk follow closely receiving 16% and 14% of grants, respectively. Funds are directed across the spectrum of poverty to assist families and individuals at risk or in crisis, educational opportunities for children and adults, job training and community health efforts.

With an eye toward the upcoming year, President Kim Meier encouraged board members to renew their commitment to the large volunteer base on which the organization depends.  “Embrace and empower this talented force of volunteers,” she urged. “Our volunteers are our greatest asset; they are intelligent, creative ambassadors of our mission.”  Near & Far Aid has retained its all-volunteer structure since inception.  “With very little overhead we are able to grant nearly 100% of every dollar donated. Today’s donors demand this kind of return on their charitable investments and trust Near & Far Aid for our diligence,” said Meier.  The creation of a President’s Council, new this year to the organization’s structure, introduces a senior level of experienced event volunteers to provide insight as well as steward the creative energy that is a result of a dynamic volunteer corps.

The organization added to Monday’s news with the announcement of three new board members.  Mindee Blanco, COO of Barnum Financial, Pamela Einarsen, award-winning photographer and Lauren Kelly-Weiss, Managing Director of Cowen.  All three women have extensive philanthropic experience in the region and will lend their professional skills to the Board of Directors.

N&FA President’s Council

L to R: Katerina Powers, Jen Agne, Lindsay Muldoon, Brooks Dibble, Kelsey Johnston, Venessa Dembowski

Near & Far Aid’s history of funding spans more than 60 years and since 2000, has granted over $18 million to community programs. Fundraising events include the upcoming Golf Classic, September 24, the annual Gala on March 1 and a spring Designer House Tour. For a current list of grant recipients and more information on our organization, including our events and volunteer opportunities, please visit nearandfaraid.org.

This year’s annual Near & Far Aid Golf Classic will take place on Monday, September 24^that The Country Club of Fairfield.  Presented by long-time Title sponsor, Fairfield County Bank, the event attracts golfers of all levels to enjoy a day of friendly competition.  Join us in our effort to “CRUSH POVERTY”!

New Leader sponsor, Canoos, will gift all participants with a new pair of golf shoes. The New England-based company produces high-performance golf shoes that offer practical style on and off the course.

Following a BBQ lunch, courtesy of the Citrone Thirty Three Foundation, golfers will enjoy 18-holes of gorgeous greens and spectacular views of the coast line, as well as having bragging rights for the various competitions such as the Putting Contest sponsored by Joan & Steve Panagos, “Beat the Pro” sponsored by Emily Gordon, Women’s Longest Drive sponsored by Modern Dermatology, Men’s Longest Drive sponsored by Northern Trust, Closest To The Pin sponsored by Bitsy & Mitch Higgins and Straightest Drive sponsored by Blow Dry Southport/Westport. Upon completion of play, golfers and guests will enjoy post-tournament cocktails, a buffet dinner in the Clubhouse sponsored by George Comfort & Sons and a chance to bid on two Live Auction packages that includes local and away Golf Courses.

Try your skills or luck at the Hole In One contest for a chance to win a 1-year car lease from Presenting sponsor Jaguar Land Rover of Fairfield.  We thank returning Presenting sponsor J.P.Morgan Private Bank – Tim Powers as well as Leader Sponsors Bank of America – U.S. Trust Private Wealth Management, Crystal & Company, The Frazier Foundation, Moffly Media and the 11^thtee Hospitality House sponsored by Connecticut Distributors Inc.  Huge thanks to Event Day sponsors Southern Tide, Golf Cart Sponsors Bluffpoint Associates and Koozie Sponsors Kelly & Rob Scinto.

Limited foursomes or single spots still available as well as event day sponsorships. Registration closes on 9/18/18.  Visit Near & Far Aid Golf Classic for details.

Near & Far Aid Designer Q&A Series:  t h e  m a r a i s

While you didn’t begin your career in design, you are clearly both incredibly talented! Tell us a bit about how/why you decided to make the switch from life in corporate America to collaborate together in the interior design world.

First of all, thank you so much for paying such a nice compliment. It means the world to us. To answer your question, in a nutshell, we both started families soon after leaving our former positions as a lawyer and as a c-suite executive. We had different journeys in the years proceeding and after our babies’ births, but our postpartum search was identical. As forever changed women, we wanted a leading role in the day to day responsibilities for our children, but we also wanted a career. The never ending debacle. No doubt, we were looking for more than a hobby, a friend or busy work. We both wanted to build something. Today, that is exactly what we are doing together. Our vision stretches far. Hopefully, our process gives like-minded women a forum for empathy, camaraderie and inspiration.

How would you describe your design esthetic?

The Marais is a casual, collected and seriously cool lifestyle brand. Curating a collection of home furnishings that blends clean lines of Scandinavian design with natural beauties reminiscent of Bali — a perfect balance.

It’s not easy to seamlessly mix so many different industrial materials and create such a soothing environment. What are some strategies you use for making it work? 

We believe in contrast – mixing soft with bold materials. The juxtaposition of linen against metal or woods, like teak with concrete, create a balance that we love and feel appeals to the likes of many tastes.

How have your travels influenced your design?

While our travels have taken us to different destinations, we are both fixated on the organic woods of places like Bali and Tulum, and the clean and uncluttered aesthetic of Denmark. Elissia has been particularly influenced by the play of bold blues found in the south of France, and Casey has more of a natural aesthetic reminiscent of California, her home state.

What’s behind the brand name The Marais? What is your vision for your line of home furnishings?

We love the idea of an eclectic collection, and when thought of our mixed bag our products, our first thought was Le Maraisin Paris. This neighborhood is known for its hip boutiques, designer hotels and art galleries – ranging from casual to swanky.

Our goal is to curate and create a unique collection from sources that are not readily available in the US – ultimately, creating an ideal living space – it’s a balance that keeps the home casual, but is also poised and collected.

Anything else you want to tell us before the House Tour? 

Yes — we are launching May 8! Hopefully, our shop on our Web site www.themarais.com will be live by the time you read this. Follow us on Instagram @maraisdesign for our crazy adventures in starting up a business. Thanks for your support!

Near & Far Aid Designer Q&A Series Part 4: Ariane Mermod

Tell us a little bit about your design style?

My husband says “I am very Swiss (I am in fact half Swiss) when I design our houses” because I need the rooms to be arranged in an orderly and logical way, and for the spaces to be balanced with lots of light and long sight lines. The Colonial vernacular really resonates with me. As far as decorating goes, we like to let our houses speak for themselves, so we try to keep the interiors pretty neutral. I am a big fan of the paint color “Snowfall White” by Benjamin Moore. The furnishings are a combination of family pieces that we move from house-to-house, mixed with upholstered pieces that we buy specifically for each house, which above all, need to be comfortable.

You and your husband “saved” the Gideon Wakeman Home from demolition. Tell us more!

We were in the process of renovating the Charles Bedford house on Greens Farms Road and I would drive by this house all the time and it intrigued me. It was on four acres, which would have been perfect for my horses, but by the time we had finished and sold the first project, this house had been bought by a developer and sub-divided. We made an offer literally weeks before the Historic District Commission stay (hold on demolition) was about to expire.

Is this your first restoration project?

This is our third historic home renovation. We renovated a Federal brick townhouse in Greenwich Village when we were first married, doing a lot of the work ourselves, and then the Charles Bedford House, c. 1909, and the Gideon Wakeman House, c.1782, both in Westport.

What builder did you partner with?

We used Buttendorf Construction for all of our structural work and to enclose the house. They are comfortable and experienced working with historic homes. I supervised the finishing of the interior and the landscaping myself.

In remodeling an 18th Century antique, what were some of the challenges you faced?

Craftsman who respect and understand the way a colonial house is built and can work around it are hard to come by. After the Buttendorfs addressed any structural concerns, I worked with a small, but patient and clever crew, who could tailor their work to the needs of this old house. My sheet-rockers thought I was crazy when I made them put up two layers of sheetrock to mimic the thickness of the old plaster walls.

Your style definitely reflects a global point of you. How are your travels represented in your design?

My family and my husband’s both come from Europe. I was also raised in the Virgin Islands. So our aesthetic is certainly formed by those memories, but also our work in fashion and finance took us all over the world and we picked up many small treasures along the way. One of my favorite souvenirs is a collection of sand from beaches we have been to all over the world. They are displayed in glass bottles; look for them on the mantle in the hallway that connects the living room to the great room.