Fairfield County Trauma Response Team’s September 13 fundraiser at Stonebridge Restaurant in Milford, “Halfway to St Paddy’s Day,” was meant to bring supporters together for music, raffles, and help for first responders’ mental health. Shilelagh Law performed as part of the Halfway to St Paddy’s Day celebration, and some raffle prizes went home with winners.

Torrential morning rain reduced turnout, however, prompting organizers to continue the silent auction and restaurant raffle online.

The public can now bid on 23 silent auction packages, enter 13 restaurant raffle packages, or buy an event T-shirt to support the team’s work. Silent auction bidding closes Sunday, September 27, at 11:59 pm EST. Restaurant raffle ticket sales close Wednesday, September 30, with the drawing planned for Friday, October 2.

All purchase and bidding options are available at fctrt.org/silent-auction.

The day after the event, one raffle winner e-mailed organizers to say in part: “It was a great event, so glad my husband attended this event for a wonderful organization. My husband has used your services and we both greatly appreciate all that you and your team do for the welfare of our first responders.”

Organizers said the message was a reminder that the need for support continues long after an emergency ends. First responders witness traumatic scenes, answer distressing calls, and help families through some of their worst moments. The emotional weight of that work can follow them home. FCTRT helps them find people who understand those experiences and can offer support.

FCTRT is a nonprofit alliance of mental health professionals serving Fairfield County and expanding its reach across Connecticut. Its services include referrals to clinicians trained in trauma treatment, free workshops and ongoing support groups, help developing peer support within public safety departments, and support after particularly difficult calls. The team also assists first responder families.

FCTRT team members include Newtown resident Dr Joanna Rosen, PsyD. A licensed clinical psychologist with a specialization in trauma and practice in town, Rosen told The Newtown Bee in early September that FCTRT began forming following the Christmas Day 2011 fire in Stamford that claimed the lives of two grandparents and three children.

“The level of devastation left an unbelievable mark on the firefighters themselves. When they went to reach out for help shortly thereafter, they couldn’t find anything. It was Christmas Day, and they couldn’t find support,” Rosen said.

Information about FCTRT and its services is available at fctrt.org/responders.

Silent Auction Packages

Nine silent auction packages were previewed at Stonebridge. The full collection of 23 now gives supporters a chance to plan a birthday, take a getaway, or gather friends while helping fund FCTRT’s work. Offerings range from a children’s party with a cake gift card to overnight stays, sports experiences, and designer accessories.

The Sky Zone Norwalk and Alina’s Cakes & Cookies package combines a birthday party for 11 children, including the birthday child, with a $150 cake gift card. A separate Great Wolf Lodge package includes an overnight stay in a family suite for up to six, water park admission, and additional family activities. Another package brings together outings from Lake Compounce, Hartford Yard Goats, Taylorville at Edmond Town Hall, Thrillz, Jumpz, RPM Raceway, and the Twins BBQ Co corn maze.

Getaway choices include two nights at The Sagaponack in the Hamptons, an overnight at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, and an overnight at The Abbey Inn & Spa in Peekskill. A guided Farmington River fishing trip for two includes lunch. Golfers can bid on the $1,500 PGA Tour Superstore and Rhone package, with a membership, fittings, lessons, and $300 in Rhone shopping.

Sports fans can choose a Premier Lacrosse League package with four game tickets, team gear, and a $25 gift card donated by Dick’s Sporting Goods in Milford, or a John Starks autograph donated by the New York Knicks.

For a gathering with friends, a mahjong package includes a private two-hour lesson for four, a complete set, and a playing mat. Riverdance fans can bid on four Shubert Theatre tickets paired with dining and Irish-themed gifts.

Food and drink experiences include a Mine Hill Distillery outing for two, a Total Wine & More class for up to 20, a Stoutridge Vineyard tasting for four with a $100 Chuck’s Steak House gift card, and a Milestone Georgetown pizza party for ten.

A stocked mini-refrigerator package features contributions from The Home Depot, Reverie Brewing Company, Yankee Wine & Spirits, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Pepsi-Cola of the Hudson Valley and Mine Hill Distillery.

The collection also includes an $800 Tory Burch package, six pieces of Kendra Scott jewelry, a Noëlle Spa & Salon and Capital Grille package, a year of Edge FIT membership with extras, and a dog-care package from Bespoke Veterinary Services, Furrfield County Dog Grooming, Earth Animal, and Suzie’s CBD Treats.

Completing the 23 packages is Shilelagh Law’s Fall Nights & Christmas Lights collection. The band’s support has continued beyond September 13. With two FDNY members and a retired New York City police officer in the group, the cause has a personal connection. The package includes a band T-shirt and CDs, and the following gift cards: $100 for The Cabana in Long Beach, $50 for Captain Lawrence Brewing Company in Elmsford, $75 for Rambling House in Woodlawn in the Bronx, and $75 for Connolly’s 45th in Manhattan.

Captain Lawrence has also contributed a growler with a free fill, a T-shirt, a bag, a beer glass, and a metal cup.

Restaurant Raffle

The restaurant raffle offers another way to help, starting at $10. More than 100 restaurants and food businesses have contributed to prizes worth more than $8,500. The new online presentation groups the donations into 13 town packages, with one winner receiving all the gifts and bonuses listed for that package.

Each collection offers several opportunities to dine out and discover the businesses that stepped forward for first responders.

Newtown and Sandy Hook donors were so generous that each community has its own package. Sandy Hook’s collection includes cards from Cover Two Sports Cafe, Ralph’s Sandy Hook Cafe, Shortt’s Farm, Sugo Gastrobar, Taco Barn, The Red Brick Tavern, and Gino’s Parlor of Sandy Hook.

Organizer Meghan Rice noted Sugo was the first restaurant to commit to the fundraiser, and welcomed the support of the recently opened Red Brick Tavern. Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue added a Christmas tree valued at $100, bringing the package’s estimated value to $530.

Newtown’s package includes a gift card from each of seven businesses: Angelina’s Italian Deli & Catering, Barnwood Grill, Jewel of Himalaya, Nostrano Italian Eatery, Perfusion Espresso & Cocktail Bar, Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro and Taco Dia. The winner also receives two tickets to see comedienne Caroline Rhea at Edmond Town Hall on Saturday, December 12.

The other 11 restaurant packages feature Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, Wilton and Ridgefield, Westport and New Canaan, Fairfield and Southport, Bethel and Georgetown, Southbury and Oxford, Danbury, Bridgeport, Monroe and Stratford, Milford and Shelton, and Brookfield and Darien.

Several packages include Westport Country Playhouse tickets or other bonuses. The online listings show each package’s current contents.

Tickets are $10 each. A $100 bundle provides 11 tickets, including one free, and a $500 bundle provides 60 tickets, including ten free. Buyers can place all their entries in one package or divide them among several towns by giving their selections at checkout. For example, an 11-ticket buyer could enter Newtown five times, Sandy Hook three times, and Greenwich three times. The bundles let supporters concentrate on the prizes they most want to win.

Event T-shirts commemorating Shilelagh Law’s Halfway to St Paddy’s Day performance for Fairfield County Trauma Response Team are still available. The navy blue shirts are $30 in unisex sizes small through 2XL, while supplies last, with $10 shipping or Newtown pickup by arrangement. Supporters can add a $20 shirt to be donated to a first responder and receive free shipping on their order.

Details on all silent auction lots, raffle prizes, and the T-shirts, along with forms for bids and orders, can be found at fctrt.org/silent-auction.

Questions and Newtown pickup requests can be directed to FCTRTfundraising@gmail.com.