What is Fairfield County's Giving Day?

Fairfield County's (Connecticut) Giving Day is a powerful 24-hour online fundraising competition that unites this community around local causes close to your heart. Last year, this amazing day of giving had extraordinary results: $1,465,246 donated by 13,718 individuals for 414 nonprofits. Lead sponsors of the event include Bank of America, Whole Foods and Hearst Connecticut Media.

Giving Day is now in its 5th year. For a full list of all the "official" nonprofits participating in Fairfield County's Giving Day 2018, click here.

How to support Fairfield County's Giving Day:

For the fourth year, Fairfield County's Giving Day allows residents and businesses to 'give where they live.' This fundraising marathon is spearheaded by Fairfield County's Community Foundation to empower the greater community and encourage local philanthropy. Here's how you can help on March 1st:

• 7am-7pm: 102 Park Street, Bridgeport - Join March for Education Foundation for a twelve-hour telethon including live music, dancing, guest speakers and more.
• 6pm-7pm: 93 North Main Street, Norwalk - Meet Norwak Community Health Center for a happy hour at O'Neill's Pub. 15% of sales will be donated to keep healthcare within reach.
• 6pm-8pm: 370 Beach Road, Fairfield - Join the Fairfield Museum and Historical Center for their IMAGES 2018 Opening Reception
• 6pm-9pm: 85 Woodside Street, Stamford - Raise a pint and join Family Centers for a happy hour at Casey's Tavern. A $30 donation includes open draft beer.

HooplaHa has been a proud supporter of Fairfield Country organizations by producing videos about charities that are making a huge difference in this community. These 2 HooplaHa videos are organizations that are on the Giving Day's "official" List!

1) This Dedicated Rock Star Donates Her Salary To The Arts!

Supporting the arts is Allison Stockel's main passion in life. After graduating NYU with a BA in Television Production and Music, she went on to produce television specials and shows for the likes of CNN, ABC, The Food Network, MTV Networks, Lifetime Television, and more.

2) Mother Of Sandy Hook Victim Chooses Love Over Anger

To honor her son—and, secondarily, to keep herself busy, distracted, and productive—Scarlett decided to start an organization dedicated to supplanting anger with love. That's how the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation was born. The mission of the foundation is to spread awareness of the healing power of positive feelings like love, compassion, and forgiveness, and to ultimately create a more peaceful world.

Here are 3 other Fairfield County based organizations that are making a difference:

1) A “Sweet" Man That Knows The Importance Of Giving Back

Tis' the season of giving, but for Al DiGuido, every season is full of giving! Al DiGuido is the owner of Saugatuck Sweets; an Ice Cream and Sweet shop with stores in Westport and Fairfield, CT. When he opened them, he knew nothing about Ice cream or Candy… he only knew that he wanted to help his community.

2) Circle Of Care' Changes View Of Pediatric Cancer With Photo Art Exhibit

Photo art and two determined, loving moms are changing the views of pediatric cancer. After Liz Salguero and Dawn Ladenheim met in a support group for moms and siblings of children with cancer, Circle of Care was born. Circle of Care, which is a Wilton, Connecticut nonprofit organization, provides emotional and financial assistance to families who have children who have been diagnosed with cancer.

3) Teen Dances To Help Dad Cure Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease affects nearly 10 million people worldwide. 15-year-old Zoe Butchen from Ridgefield, CT knows these affects all too well. This charitable teen's father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease last year. With a history of charitable deeds, Zoe knew she had to do something to help her dad, so she created, the "Dance, Shake and Donate" campaign.

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