The quinquennial celebration includes speakeasy Patron party at Shreve Crump & Low

Patron tickets are now available for the Greenwich United Way 85th Anniversary Celebration taking place October 13 at Greenwich Country Club (19 Doubling Road). The event, Pearls & Prohibition, will honor past Board Chairs and pay tribute to the year 1933 when the Greenwich Community Chest & Council was founded. The Greenwich Community Chest & Council became the Greenwich United Way in 1975. Funds raised will support critical programs that meet the health, education and self-sufficiency needs in the Greenwich community. The Celebration co-chairs are Karen Keegan, Nicole Kwasniewski, and Sabrina Pray Raquet.

Patrons and underwriters are invited to an exclusive speakeasy party on September 13 at Shreve Crump & Low (125 Greenwich Avenue). Shreve, Crump & Low will donate 20% of the evening’s pearl sales to the Greenwich United Way to aid in meeting its mission.

Vintage 1920’s and 30’s inspired attire is encouraged for the Pearls & Prohibition theme. Sophia’s Costumes (1 Liberty Way) will provide a 20% discount for rentals reserved before October 1.

The first volunteer-driven, community-wide effort to raise funds for critical local services was in 1934 and garnered $192,000. The chairman of the first effort, Helen Wilshire Walsh, was quoted at the time: “We have not only raised a fund but created a spirit which Greenwich has never had before.”

Anyone with a connection to the Greenwich United Way is encouraged to share their story and photos by emailing info@greenwichunitedway.org. Content will be shared on social media with the hashtags #GUW85TH and #WeAreGreenwich and at upcoming events.

“We’re looking to explore the past 85 years of impact within the Greenwich community. If the Greenwich United Way or the Greenwich Community Chest and Council has made a positive impact on your life, we want to hear from you,” said Greenwich United Way CEO, David Rabin.

Sponsors to date include Greenwich Hospital, Shreve Crump & Low, Moffly Media, Case Study Brands, Starr Films and Sophia’s. For more information or for underwriting opportunities, please contact Greenwich United Way Senior Director of Development Jeremy Nappi at (203) 869-2221 or jnappi@greenwichunitedway.org.

The Celebration committee is led by Angelique Adelina, Elizabeth Angelone, Alex Bussenger, Laura Daniel, Jaime Eisenberg, Vicky Lamura Finnerty, Candia Fisher, Kristen Forlini, Rhiannon Forlini, Joui Hessel, Tracy Holton, Karen Hopp, Courtney Houghton, Karen Keegan, Robbie Kestnbaum, Nicole Kwasniewski, Melissa Levin, Dawn Light, Cricket Lockhart, Cait Kraus Long, Erin McCall, Marsha Mifflin, Christian Perry, Sharon Phillips, Anne Sherrerd, Robert Stepanian, Brook Urban, Diane Viton, Jill Weiner and Emily Zerbst.

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About Greenwich United Way
The Greenwich United Way (GUW) shares a name with approximately 1,200 other similar organizations across the nation, although the Greenwich, Connecticut division is a privately incorporated, locally governed, nonprofit agency. As a volunteer-driven organization, the Greenwich United Way exists to help identify and address the health, educational and self-sufficiency needs specific to its local community and to create and affect meaningful, lasting solutions. Through various fundraising efforts and on-going research, the organization is able to directly grant the funds necessary to accomplish this goal. The Greenwich United Way also invests in and conducts collaborative efforts to address broad-based community needs with partnering nonprofit agencies. Visit Greenwich United Way online to learn more (greenwichunitedway.org). Instagram @GreenwichUnitedWay Twitter @GreenwichUW #WeAreGreenwich