Nearly 400 people packed the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury at 7:30 this morning for the Ridgefield Visiting Nurses Association's 19th Annual Spring Breakfast. It was a true breakfast of champions and celebration of a vital organization that has been providing home healthcare and wellness services to communities for 104 years.
Attendees included local business owners and area residents, as well as town and government officials including First Selectman, Rudy Marconi and Senator Will Haskell who support the mission of the RVNA: to provide exceptional home and health care service and support public health and safety while promoting the highest quality of life in Western Connecticut.
With RVNA Director of Development MJ Heller at the helm, a group of dedicated volunteers led by event chair LouAnn Daprato made sure the eventful morning was fun, memorable and profitable for the RVNA.
Numerous raffle prizes donated by many Ridgefield merchants added smiles and pizzazz to the morning and reminded all of the importance of shopping and supporting local!
And who needs coffee when you have Allison Stockel? She was literally the auctioneer on wheels today! She pumped so much energy into the room with her robust auctioneer skills, encouraging attendees to bid on wonderful items that promised trips to faraway lands, sporting events, and exquisite dinner parties. And why not demo the cute hot pink bicycle that was up for bid?
A highlight of the event was the featured speaker Frank Matuszewski who relied on RVNA to help him get back on his feet after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and needing quadruple bypass surgery. Frank, a longtime tax professional with Bristol-Myers Squibb, shared heartfelt words for his RVNA care team, and specifically his home health aid, Juan.
The important fundraiser enables the RVNA to support and expand its extensive community and wellness programs that include an annual health fair, blood pressure, flu and well-child clinics, as well as home health care programs. The RVNA has been an essential part of our community since 1914.
Thank you to the twenty-one RVNA Spring Breakfast committee members, more than forty individuals, and businesses who sponsored tables, as well as the event sponsors and donors. Hats off to the Amber Room for providing top-notch service with a smile at 7:30am!
*Images courtesy Deborah O'Brien Photography