IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! 

Near & Far Aid Gala is this Friday! Join us for an inspirational evening of targeting poverty and changing lives. Tickets are selling fast!  Get yours now for the event of the season and the dance party of the year!| LIVE | SILENT | FINE WINE AUCTIONS | COCKTAILS | HOR’S D’OEUVRES | STANDING DINNER | Spring Fashion Show | 80’s TRIBUTE BAND | Purchase Tickets Now!  Preview our silent auction catalog and start pre-bidding. Click here to Bid!

Let the bidding begin!

Online bidding for Near & Far Aid’s Spring Gala silent auction begins today! Preview the catalog and enter bids on our hot and exciting travel packages, unique experiences, food, fashion and ticket offerings from our coveted auction block.

HOW TO PREVIEW & BID

• VISIT https://www.501auctions.com/nfagala
• REGISTER (or SIGN IN if you already purchased your ticket)
• • Note: you do not need a ticket to bid on the silent auction!
• VIEW ITEMS BY CATEGORY
• BID
• SET MAXIMUM BIDS
  • The system will automatically raise your bid by a pre-determined increment until your maximum bid has been met or the silent auction ends at 11pm on March 4th.
  • Setting maximum bids allows you more time to mingle, eat, drink and dance and ensures you don’t risk getting outbid at the last minute!
• WATCH ITEM
  • Adds items to your “My Items” list for quick reference later. Just like making a shopping list!

The spectacular night of giving is Near & Far Aid’s biggest fundraising event of the year and promises to be a memorable evening with dancing and an electric atmosphere. Tickets are still available for the event, and can be purchased at http://www.501auctions.com/nfagala In addition to the live and silent auctions, the Spring Gala also includes the iconic Best of Spring Fashion Show, decadent hors d’oeuvres, a standing dinner plus cool cocktails and libations.

The evening concludes with the ultimate dance party led by 80’s tribute band ‘Rubix Kube.’

RAISE THE ROOF AND HAVE SOME FUN AT GALA 2016!

NEAR & FAR 2016 GALA AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

One of the biggest attractions of the Near & Far Aid Gala is our spectacular silent and live auctions, and this year is no exception! Take a peek at just a few of the amazing items below, and don’t forget to buy your tickets to the Gala! Watch for emails announcing early bidding!

LIVE AUCTION

The Championships, Wimbledon

The hottest ticket in July is the Ladies’ Wimbledon Finals!  Enjoy two (2) VIP tickets at Centre Court including private lounge amenities not available to the general public.  On your day off, head over to Manolo Blahnik to select a custom shoe, autographed by the designer.  Luxurious accommodations in central London for 2 nights are provided.

Handbag of the Season

Staying au courant is a cinch for the winner of this dream package! A new handbag every three months for a year!

SILENT AUCTION

A Year of Blow Outs!

Blow Dry delivers fabulous hair in between haircuts and color, without cheating on your hairdresser.  Look perfectly styled every week of the year with this amazing package of 52 blow outs from Blow Dry.  Good at either Southport or Westport location.

Nantucket Rental House

Set out to Nantucket for a fabulous retreat in this brand new beach house in prime Brant Point location, 50 yards to the beach and one mile to town.  With modern decor by interior designer Audrey Sterk the home has 8 Bedrooms (2 Masters), 8.5 baths, fabulous water views, plenty of outdoor entertaining space and a heated pool with hot tub. Enjoy shoulder seasons weeks in May, June, September, October.

Vespa Private Party for 12 at Home

Vespa, Westport’s acclaimed Modern Rustic Italian Restaurant, will donate a uniquely prepared dinner by their executive culinary team for 12 in your home to be paired with vintage Italian Wines selected by their sommelier.

The Hermitage Club- One Year Membership

One year membership to The Hermitage Club, the ONLY private mountain resort on the east coast. No lift lines, uncrowded slopes, a family-friendly environment and fresh snow all day. The ideal mountain for passionate skiers.

Who doesn’t love a sneak peak?  Take a look at a few items in the Gala 2016 live and silent auctions.  Tickets are on sale now and watch for emails announcing early bidding!

As we prepare for the Gala, and excitingly ready for an evening filled with memories, fun and style, it’s important to pause and remember the great accomplishments that Near & Far Aid has shepherded throughout the years

• Near & Far Aid provides funding for agencies and programs that address the causes and effects of poverty right here in Fairfield County.
• Since the year 2000, Near & Far Aid has raised and granted over $15 million to more than 100 Fairfield County non-profit agencies working to improve the lives of children, families and individuals living in poverty.

Purchase your tickets and help us  further our mission of targeting poverty and changing lives.

Purchase Your Tickets

A full field of golfers assembled on September 28th sporting both eye-catching and classic outfits in the spirit of fun and community to raise funds for Near & Far Aid at the annual Golf Classic. Long-time Title Sponsor Fairfield County Bank led the field of more than 18 sponsors and 100 golfers supporting the event.

When asked about Fairfield County Bank’s nine year partnership with The Near & Far Aid Golf Classic, President Dan Berta said,  “It is has been our pleasure to support the Near & Far golf outing for years.  We are proud to be associated with such a wonderful organization and it is great to see all the good they do for our community.”

After enjoying a BBQ lunch compliments of long-time sponsors The Russell Agency and Chubb Insurance, the golfers set out to enjoy a picture-perfect day of spirited competition. Scores of volunteers dotted the course to run contests including the chance to win a Land Rover Sport with a “Hole in One” sponsored by Land Rover Milford. The silent auction boards were chock full of bidding on rounds of golf at exceptional courses and 20 golfers “Beat the Pro” while trying to win the Longest Drive contest. Both golfers and volunteers celebrated the end of a glorious day at a cocktail party sponsored by George Comfort & Sons with an awards presentation that included the inaugural “Out of the Box” golf wear prize.

Near & Far Aid extends a heartfelt thanks to all the golfers, sponsors and volunteers who made this years Golf Classic an out of the box success. Start planning your out of the box ensemble for next year’s event, scheduled for September 26, 2016.

2015 Golf Classic Results:

• Low Gross:  Kevin McHugh, Rich Pinksy, Mike Chamberlain, Dave Ross
• 2nd Low Gross: Tom Ryan, Don Duffy, Brendon Frey, Sam Gault
• Low Net: Ryan Ambrifi, Amy Tambini Rothman, Josh Rothman, Bob Kelm
• 2nd Net: Neil Gabrielle, John Mathews, Robby Mulligan, Kevin Owens
• 3rd Net: Neil Hauck, Robert Cardello. Scott Hobbs, Melissa Norton
• Putting Contest Sponsored by Steve & Joan Panagos: Chris Ryan – Holed the Put!
• Longest Drive Women: Amy Tambini Rothman
• Longest Drive Men: Nick Carleson
• Closest to the Pin Sponsored by Katia & Robert Mead: Rich Pinsky
• Out of the Box Golf Wear: Kevin Owens

For a full list of 2015 Near & Far Aid Golf Classic Sponsors, please visit the event page on our website www.nearandfaraid.org

In memory of the founder of the Near & Far Aid Association, the Jeannie Fay Award is granted at the discretion of the Board to volunteers who, without previous formal recognition, have served selflessly for at least ten years and demonstrated outstanding dedication to furthering the work of Near & Far Aid.  The recipients are recognized for being instrumental in supporting the fundraising activities of the organization and also for long dedicated service which has impacted our success and growth.

This year’s award honors Nancy Wasserman for her willingness to step in and step up wherever needed.  From event to event, she has worked in many different capacities, to calmly and efficiently get the job done.  She is a loyal member of the Near & Far Aid team and we are in awe of her commitment and dedication. The 2015 Jeannie Fay Award was presented to Nancy at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon this May at the Artisan Restaurant in Southport.

“After being on the board of A Child’s Place in Westport and meeting so many wonderful women there planning events and raising money, I wanted to take my fundraising efforts to a bigger/broader cause beyond my children’s pre-school.  Near & Far Aid presented that opportunity. My dearest friends were getting involved with the Near & Far Aid Gala and invited me to join them in their efforts.

Gala had such an amazing group of women and was such a fun and successful event to work on, that I could not wait to get involved in other Near & Far Aid events.

After a few seasons of working on the Mitchell’s Gala, I helped design the House Tour program book and coordinated advertising sales. After several seasons of volunteering on the House Tour, I thought it would be a new experience to work on the annual Golf Classic tournament in the same capacity.

It has been a fantastic and rewarding experience to donate my time to such a worthy cause, and I look forward to continuing on future events that help raise money for those in need in Fairfield County, where I have lived for the last 17 years.

Thank you Near & Far Aid! I am so honored to be the 2015 recipient of the Jeannie Fay award.”

-Nancy Wasserman