MILFORD, Connecticut — The Fairfield County Trauma Response Team is asking the public to support its online silent auction, restaurant raffle and event T-shirt sales after torrential morning rain reduced turnout at its September 13, 2026 fundraiser at Stonebridge Restaurant. Shilelagh Law performed at the restaurant’s Halfway to St. Paddy’s Day celebration, held at the close of the weekend marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
The public can now bid on 23 silent auction packages representing nearly $12,000 in donated items, enter 13 restaurant raffle packages or buy an event T-shirt to support the team’s work. Bidding closes Sunday, September 27, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. Restaurant raffle ticket sales close Wednesday, September 30, with the drawing planned for Friday, October 2. All purchase and bidding options are available at https://fctrt.org/silent-auction/.
The day after the event, a raffle winner emailed the fundraiser organizer: “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.”
The fundraiser organizer 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. Information about its services is available at https://fctrt.org/responders/.
Organizers hope the fundraiser will help more police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, dispatchers and animal control officers know that support is available. FCTRT grew out of the response to the 2011 Christmas Day fire in Stamford and later helped responders following the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. First responders and family members seeking assistance can visit https://fctrt.org/form/.
All 23 silent auction packages are available online. The collection gives supporters a chance to plan a birthday, take a getaway or gather friends while helping fund FCTRT’s work. The 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, for a total package value of $600. 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 10. 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 the September 13 performance. 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, plus $300 in venue 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 also contributed merchandise and a growler with a free fill. Show admission is separate. Current schedules and ticket information are available at https://halfthebottle.com/shows. Readers can view package photographs, complete contents and restrictions, and place bids through September 27 at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fairfield-county-trauma-response-team-incs-silent-auction.
The restaurant raffle offers another way to help, starting at $10. Organizers report that 102 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 $75 from Cover Two Sports Cafe, $50 from Ralph’s Sandy Hook Cafe, $30 from Shortt’s Farm, $75 from Sugo Gastrobar, dinner for two at Taco Barn, $100 from The Red Brick Tavern and $50 from Gino’s Parlor of Sandy Hook.
The organizer said 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 $440 package includes a $50 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, valued at $90, to see comedian Caroline Rhea at Edmond Town Hall on Saturday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m.
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 cost $10 each. A $100 bundle provides 11 tickets, including one free, and a $500 bundle provides 60 tickets, including 10 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.
Single $10 tickets can be purchased at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/restaurant-raffle-fairfield-county-trauma-response-team–2026.
The 11-ticket bundle for $100 is available at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/testing-dollar100-ticket-for-11-options.
The 60-ticket bundle for $500 is available at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/super-value-dollar500-for-60-tickets-restaurant-raffle-10-free-ticket.
Navy event T-shirts commemorating Shilelagh Law at Stonebridge remain available. 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. Shirt purchases are available at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/shilelagh-law-halfway-to-st-paddys-tshirt-orders.
Organizers thanked The Newtown Bee for its coverage and Lamar Advertising for donating the billboards along Interstate 95 that promoted the event. They also thanked Stonebridge, Shilelagh Law, the businesses, volunteers and guests who supported the fundraiser. Readers can help turn the donated prizes into funds for first responders’ mental health by placing a bid, buying raffle tickets or purchasing a shirt.
Sharing the fundraiser is another practical way to help. Donor highlights, updates and news of participating businesses’ specials appear on FCTRT’s Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/fairfieldcountytrt/ and in the Facebook fundraiser group, Shilelagh Law at Stonebridge FCTRT Fundraiser 2026, at https://www.facebook.com/groups/27596550990007349. Organizers encourage residents to support the participating businesses and share the fundraiser with friends, family and community groups.
“We need your support. We can’t do this without you,” fundraiser organizer Meghan Rice said. Readers can participate at https://fctrt.org/silent-auction/. For media inquiries, photographs, interview coordination or Newtown T-shirt pickup, contact Meghan Rice at 914-656-4119 or FCTRTfundraising@gmail.com.
Bidding closes Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. View all packages and bid at https://fctrt.org/silent-auction/.