By Devi Bridgemohan
Neighbor to Neighbor (NTN) honored 50 years of service to the Greenwich community on Thursday, April 24th at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich.
Over 240 guests gathered to honor this significant milestone. The event brought together staff, sponsors, and longtime supporters to honor five decades of impactful work in providing food, clothing, and essentials to those in need.
A video montage featuring Connecticut Elected Officials was shared during the opening event. The tribute included warm congratulations from State senators, representatives, and other public leaders who acknowledged the critical role NTN has played in addressing food insecurity. The elected officials featured in the montage included Representatives Ryan Fazio, Tina Courpas, Stephen Meskers, Hector Arzeno, Treasurer Eric Russell, Congressman Jim Himes, Senator Blumenthal and Senator Chris Murphy.
Karen Royce, Board President, presented the Good Neighbor Award to Jen Donnalley, Greenwich Country Day School Director of Center for Public Good. Jen Donnalley is best known for coordinating opportunities for her students to learn the importance of supporting their communities through hands-on projects.
A heartwarming video montage featuring testimonials from NTN clients was also featured later in the evening. Clients spoke both in English and Spanish to share their personal stories with the organization, and how it has impacted their lives. Their words served as a poignant reminder of NTN’s mission and the real lives transformed through the compassion and generosity of the community.
The event was highlighted by a keynote address from world-renowned Chef Marcus Samuelsson, who captivated attendees by sharing his life story and philanthropic work. Samuelsson spoke about how his personal journey shaped his commitment to giving back and how those values align with Neighbor to Neighbor’s mission of supporting local families.
The evening’s energy and spirit were elevated by Bonnie Levison, who served as the EMCEE for the night. Her dynamic live auction performance sparked lively bidding and generous giving, while her thoughtful and entertaining Q&A with Marcus Samuelsson provided guests with deeper insights into his journey and values.
“We were deeply honored and incredibly grateful to see so many members of the community come together to honor this milestone. Our 50th Anniversary event served as a powerful reminder of the compassion and generosity that fuels our mission. The overwhelming support we received reaffirms our commitment to serving our neighbors with dignity and care,” said K. Brent Hill, Executive Director.
