Rowayton, CT
September 27, 2023
The 2023 Center for HOPE Luncheon co-chaired by Janet Cling, Erin Gaudreau, Ashley Reid and Emily Stern. More than $190,000 was raised to support Center for HOPE and The Den for Grieving Kids, Family Centers’ programs offering counseling and support to residents of lower Fairfield County coping with a loss, a critical illness or life-altering circumstance.
Emmy-winning journalist and best-selling author Luke Russert opened up about the impact his father’s sudden death had on his life during his keynote address at the Luncheon. The event was held at the Wee Burn Beach Club in Rowayton.
Using humor and lessons learned from his three-year cross continental travels, Russert shared how the loss of his father – Meet the Press’ Tim Russert – shaped his life. He also stressed the important roles programs like The Den for Grieving Kids and the Center for HOPE play in guiding people through their personal journeys with grief.
The 2023 Annual Luncheon celebrates the 30th anniversary of The Den for Grieving Kids. Since 1993, The Den has provided a safe, caring place for children, teens and families to explore their feelings about the loss of a parent, sibling or other family member and begin the journey toward healing. Services are offered at no cost, and groups are facilitated in Greenwich and within several schools across Fairfield County.
Family Centers presented the Junior League of Greenwich and Greenwich Country Day School with the Ray of HOPE Award for their roles in establishing The Den. The Junior League founded the Den in 1993 and ran it for three years before asking Family Centers to take it on as one of its programs. Greenwich Country Day School generously donated meeting space and gave The Den a home during its first three years.
Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering health, education and human service programs to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. More than 280 professionals and 500 trained volunteers work together to provide more than 24,000 residents with a holistic, wrap-around approach to care. Family Centers is Joint Commission accredited in Ambulatory Health Care, Behavioral Health Care and Human Services. Family Centers’ Early Care and Education programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the agency is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Visit www.familycenters.org for additional information.
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448A2599 Emily Stern, Ashely Reid, Erin Gaudreau, and Janet Cling
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448A2536 Kate Clark, Adam Rohdie, Monique Cunningham, Ashley Reid
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448A2683 Anna Janis, Nicole Orr, Michelle McCurdy and Friend
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448A2560 Cathy Sebor, Kim Kispert, Jan Dilenschneider, Melissa Patterson, Molly Milligan
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448A2625 Holli Cutting, Meredith Feurtado, Courtney Bieger
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448A2619 Ilona Eken, Kim Habul, Wendy Stapleton, Courtney Pomrink, and Victoria Triplett
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448A2661 Anne Gray, and Krissy Schmitz
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448A2633 Kim Huffard, Liz Yingst, Lauren Walker, Sarah Kohart, and Janet Cling
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448A2645 Alix Armstrong, Erin Gaudreau, and BJ Casey
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448A2674 Elizabeth Bing, Leigh Ryan, Abby Ritman and Friend
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448A2653 Suzanne Frederick, and Mary Ansaldi
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448A2553 Bob Arnold and Susan Yonce
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448A2636 Janet Cling and Friends
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448A2640 Janet Cling, Katie McCurdy, Nicole Orr, Anna Janis, and Michelle Hudson
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448A2571 Jennifer Goldman, Deborah Owens, Joli Gross, Erin Neumann, Trish Morales, and Ali Walsh
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448A2566 Nicole Klein, and Mary Murphy
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448A2576 Nancy Palmer, Helen Campbell, Samantha Klein, and Christi Hanson
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448A2571 Jennifer Goldman, Deborah Owens, Joli Gross, Erin Neumann, Trish Morales, and Ali Walsh
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448A2666 Victoria Triplett
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448A2611 Jane Song, Janet Cling, and Kim Huang
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448A2545 Tarin Woods, Kate Clark, Martha Reed Murphy
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448A2648 Charter Oak Group
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448A2531 Luke Russert and Nupsie Flore-Exantus
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448A2569 Lainey Baker, Barbie McKelvey, Stacey Higdon, and Karen Hasterok
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448A2767 Luke Russert, Kate Clark, and Bob Arnold
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448A2716 Bob Arnold, Barbie McKelvey, and Adam Rohdie
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125A7699 Nancy Casserley
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448A2778 Holly Cassin and Samantha Mollett
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448A2775 Nisha Hurst and Guests
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448A2751 Maria Waywell, and Louise Oram
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448A2743 Kate Clark, Bob Arnold, Ashley Reid, Luke Russert and Erin Gaudreau
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448A2785
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448A2685 Bob Arnold
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448A2724 Karen Hasterok, Bob Arnold, and Lainey Baker
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448A2712 Bob Arnold
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448A2689 Kate Clark
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448A2688 M. Bonnie Axthelm Charitable Foundation
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448A2585 Lainey Baker and Laine Blumenkoph
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125A8701 Luke Russert
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125A8776 Luke Russert
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448A2585 Lainey Baker and Laine Blumenkoph
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448A2566 Nicole Klein, and Mary Murphy
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125A8600 Bob Arnold
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