To support Red Cross disaster relief efforts, Kim and Stew Leonard Jr. hosted Fireside Sippers at Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk. Guests were treated to a VIP reception on the catwalk high above the store’s aisles, along with a toast of 2006 Dom Perignon Champagne, and more than 40 wines and seasonal craft beers. Stefanie Arcangelo, chief communications officer for the American Red Cross, shared her stories from recent deployments in Texas and Puerto Rico. Holding bottled water, Arcangelo asked the crowd, “How many of you leave the water running while you brush your teeth? How many of you have left behind one of these bottles of water on a table without finishing it? The people of Puerto Rico don’t have these luxuries. When you don’t have water, you realize how precious this resource actually is.” Numerous other volunteers in the room chatted with guests about their deployments to USVI, Florida, and California. Nearly $10,000 was raised for the organization.
Since late August, the American Red Cross has launched wide-ranging relief efforts to help people devastated by three historic, back-to-back hurricanes—Harvey, Irma, and Maria—as well as the deadly and destructive wildfires in California. Powered by dedicated volunteers and generous donors, the Red Cross has been on the ground in the affected regions. Alongside partners, they’re providing help to families and entire communities turned upside down.
