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07/30/2021 12:00 AMWith an abundance of proceeds -- approximately $36,800 – going to Branford Counseling & Community Services' (BCCS) Basic Needs program; together with at least $7,500 infused into Branford's restaurant economy and 10 very lucky raffle winners, the results of the second annual Braffle - Branford Rotary's Outrageous Restaurant Raffle -- is a "win-win-win," said Branford Rotary president Ginny Page.
"It's been another successful year. It's a win-win-win for everybody," said Page.
Page noted 80 percent of proceeds raised will go to BCCS Basic Needs program, after expenses. In addition, a portion of Braffle proceeds will also benefit community grants and aid provided via non-profit Branford Rotary Foundation. Branford Rotary sold all 3,000 tickets, grossing $60,000 for the second annual Braffle.
While many may not recognize all that Branford Rotary contributes to its community, "...this is what Rotary does – we connect the dots," said Page. "We elevate lives and communities. Holding this raffle not only supports the [BCCS] Basic Needs program which helps individuals in town, but it also supports local restaurants; and in the end, it strengthens our community as a whole."
On July 27, Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove drew Braffle's ten winning names from a hopper filled with 3,000 tickets, which were carefully tumbled and retumbled by Rotarian Chip Marsh between each draw. Many Rotarians gathered to witness the drawing held at 7 p.m. at the Italian American Club on Hamre Lane. It was also live-streamed at Braffle.org and on Branford Rotary's Facebook page(@BranfordRotaryClub). Winning ticket numbers and winners' names are listed at the Facebook page.
Tickets for the second annual Braffle, $20 each, went on sale June 24 and were sold out by July 20. Ticket holders had the chance to win what was billed as the "Absurd Grand Prize" -- $100 gift cards to each of 50 Branford restaurants; or the "Ridiculous Second Prize" - $50 cards to all 50; or to be among eight additional winners to receive a $100 gift card to the restaurant of their choice.
To make Braffle possible, Branford Rotary partnered with 24 sponsors, including anchor sponsors American Polyfilm and All-American Waste. Additional sponsors of Braffle were Branford Dental Care, Tyco, Parthenon Diner, , Branford Building Supplies, Terry Architecture, Jiffy Lube, KMK Insulation, Branford Hills Health Care, Guilford Savings Bank, Evergreen Woods, Munger Construction, Branford Hills Homecare, Connecticut Orthopedics, Burban's Landscaping, Brown & Knapp, Anderson Krause Insurance, Jiffy Lube, Raymond James, Mobeck Guandalini, Cherry Hill Glass, Jiffy Lube, and Empire Paving.
On July 27, BCCS Executive Director Peter Cimino thanked Branford Rotary, its Braffle partners and everyone who bought Braffle tickets for helping to support those in need in this community. BCCS's Basic Needs program provides temporary financial assistance and outreach for people who qualify for assistance and are having difficulty meeting costs for the likes of food, rent, utilities and home fuel, he said.
"Last fiscal year, we had over 1800 phone calls from people looking for help. And we could only help a small portion of that, because they had to qualify for certain things; [so] we were only able to help about 240 people -- but we spent $75,000 last year in helping people in those categories," said Cimino. "We're budgeted $58,000 [annually] by the Town to help people with Basic Needs. So the money that we get in donations, through the generosity of people in this town or events like this, helps to supplement that; so we can take care of as many people as we possibly can."
To assist Branford's restaurants, Braffle organizers purchased $100 and $50 gift certificates from each of the 50 Branford restaurants listed in the raffle; giving each restaurant an instant economic boost. Supporting restaurants and residents also figured into the first annual Braffle, which was launched last summer. The idea for Braffle grew out of Branford Rotary's ambitious Help-Out Take-Out initiative, which purchased gift cards from Branford eateries which had to close their dining rooms during the pandemic; then gave those restaurant gift cards to programs like BCCS to give to residents impacted by loss of work, so that they could get restaurant take-out meals to feed their families. Help-Out Take-Out raised nearly $40,000 and the first and second annual Braffle events have collectively grossed over $100,000, to date, according to Braffle co-chair Andy Marlatt.
Cosgrove said Branford Rotary members live up to Rotary's "Service Above Self" motto; and that Braffle is great example of Branford Rotary's continuing work to provide community support in many ways.
"What I've often said is what makes a strong community is the strong volunteer effort that we have here, and the connection that the town has in terms of government, civic organizations and volunteers," said Cosgrove. "That's really what makes this a town we're all proud to live in. And certainly Rotary has always stepped up and met the needs of the community through events like this one and all of their efforts."
During the pandemic, in addition to Help-Out Take-Out and the first successful Braffle; Branford Rotary provided $5,000 to buy medical gowns for the Connecticut Hospice; $4,000 to help those being asssisted by Women & Family Life Center; and sourced, bought and delivered hundreds of pounds of fresh produce to Branford Food Pantry. Branford Rotary members were also involved in the "Rotary Million Mask Challenge," which distributed millions of pieces of personal protective equipment throughout New England. When the club couldn't host its usual guest list of over 200 seniors for its annual Senior Holiday Dinner, members instead delivered meals and presents to the seniors homes.
Annual programs and events of the Branford Rotary to give community support include providing $10,000 in annual scholarships; Rotary's Thanksgiving 5k and Fun Run; Veteran's Luncheon; Take a Vet Fishing Day; Branford Rotary Food & Book Tents at Branford Festival; Pat Andriole Family Day; Feed Our Neighbors and Earth Day Cleanup programs. To learn more about Branford Rotary or to become a member, visit https://www.branfordrotary.org