Nurturing The Land, Nurturing Children:

Fundraiser To Support State Foster And Adoptive Program

Working in conjunction with Sticks and Stones Farm on Huntingtown Road, resident Rita Ghizzoni is organizing a fundraiser to take place on Sunday, October 9, to benefit the Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents, Inc (CAFAP), a nonprofit organization providing services to foster and adoptive families in the state.

CAFAP provides support in the form of advocacy and outreach, liaisons to guide and teach families and coordinate community support groups, and training to help foster, adoptive, and relative caregivers prepare to raise children in Department of Children and Family care. CAFAP has also developed the Children’s Hope Fund, allowing supporters to sponsor dreams for Connecticut’s foster and adoptive families. A toll-free, confidential helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CAFAP was the 2008 recipient of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Angel in Adoption Award.

“I don’t have children of my own,” said Ms Ghizzoni, an interior designer, “but I wanted to do something to help children. A lot of the children in the care of CAFAP don’t have a lot going on for them. The money raised will go to support the children in foster care in Connecticut, in a variety of ways.” She is hopeful that the event not only will raise funds for CAFAP, but raise awareness around foster families and children in Connecticut.

Sticks and Stones is a working farm that harvests environmentally friendly moss and stone, and provides a space for rustic retreats, health-related workshops and classes, and celebrations.

The Family Fun Farm Festival will run from 11 am to 5 pm, and feature workshops, harvest concessions, cooking demonstrations, and a drum circle.

“I like the idea of holding this festival at Sticks and Stones Farm,” said Ms Ghizzoni. “It seems to connect nurturing the land, and nurturing children.”

The October 9 event will also include arts and crafts, music, a farm stand,  a nature scavenger hunt, and door prizes.

Local businesses have donated gift certificates and items for the teacup auction, and artists and craftspeople will be on hand to demonstrate and sell original works. Additional artists and crafts people are sought for the event. Contact Heather LaCasse at 860-258-3400 for more information.

Admission to the festival, held at Sticks and Stones Farm, 201 Huntingtown Road, is $5 for adults, and $3 for children. Picnic box lunches can be preordered by visiting www.cafap.com.