Person to Person (P2P) shattered fundraising records at its inaugural Rising Together Benefit, raising a staggering $760,000, marking the largest single-night total in P2P’s 56-year history.
Celebrated as the most diverse gathering in Fairfield County this year, this historic event served as a unifying moment that brought together a full spectrum of community members and changemakers dedicated to uplifting families and individuals through support of P2P’s vital programs.
Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO of TIAA, was recognized as Person to Person’s 2025 Rising Together Benefit Catalyst for Change honoree. A trailblazer in the financial industry, Mrs. Duckett is one of only two Black women currently leading a Fortune 500 company. She is also a longtime advocate for economic empowerment and equity, values that align deeply with the mission of Person to Person.
During her remarks, Mrs. Duckett shared her story about growing up with big dreams and limited resources, drawing on her family’s experience to underscore the power of faith, character, and community.
“We all have come from somewhere and some place that was harder than it is today, so we must recognize, that as fortunate as we are today, there’s so many young families, so many children, so many moms and dads that are doing their very best here in Fairfield County but their very best is not putting food on the table,” Mrs. Duckett said during her acceptance speech.
“But together, as a village, as a community, we can pour in. And together, we can ensure that those children and those families have the best they deserve.”
Guests were also treated to a soulful performance by Grammy-nominated R&B artist Chanté Moore, whose powerful voice elevated an already impactful evening.
The benefit’s success was made possible by the generous support of P2P’s sponsors, including Andre and Michelle Swanston, Christina Johnson Wolff, Lenox Advisors, The Kathwari Family Foundation, and PepsiCo, along with contributions from numerous other partners who helped bring the evening to life.
