Norwalk business to raffle off coveted bottles of bourbon for Open Doors fundraiser
The initiative has raised over $100,000 in monetary and clothing donations since it began four years ago.
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Bourbon lovers have the chance to win some highly coveted bottles by giving back to a Norwalk nonprofit this holiday season.
“Blankets for Bourbon” is a fundraiser for Open Doors started by Beverage King’s Harsha Bethi, whose family owns the Norwalk liquor store.
The initiative has raised over $100,000 in monetary and clothing donations since it began four years ago.
“When my dad first came here, he was working for $4 an hour. Both my parents worked multiple jobs. I started working when I was 12 years old. We would not be where we are today if it wasn't for the help of other community members and family members and friends, so I was always raised to give back to the community,” Bethi explained.
Open Doors works to prevent homelessness and offers services to those who are homeless. The nonprofit serves just under 4,000 people in the Norwalk area, meeting immediate needs, like food, clothing and a shelter bed, while also helping with long term goals such as employment, financial coaching and finding permanent housing. The organization’s offerings include a community closet, which is essential in the winter months.
“Having enough warm clothing, blankets to the people we serve is incredibly important to us but also really challenging,” Conderino said.
That’s where “Blankets for Bourbon” comes in.
Anyone who purchases items from Open Doors' Amazon Wish List will be entered into a raffle for a chance to get highly coveted bottles of bourbon, including Pappy Van Winkle, at retail price.
“Some of these allocated bottles which retail from anywhere between $50 and say $200 —on the secondary market, they’re going for $2,000, $3,000, $4,000. We wanted to find a happy medium where we could do good for the community but at the same time offer these bottles to customers for retail,” Bethi told News 12.
“The more items they donate to us, the more chances they have of winning some of his spectacular bourbon. And it's become this really great community engagement tool and allows people to help,” Conderino said.
Dozens of other bottles have been donated and will be raffled off for free to people who make cash donations to Open Doors.
There’s also a special raffle for a Michter's 20-Year bourbon signed by the label’s master distiller. A similar bottle raised $7,000 for the nonprofit last year.
“Our community members, suppliers, distributors, everyone's stepped up and this whole thing wouldn't be possible if not for everyone coming together,” Bethi explained. Blankets for Bourbon started off as a small clothing drive.
“Our first year we did $2,650, and we were ecstatic. We're like, ‘Oh my, God! We're doing a big impact!’” recalled Bethi.
Last year, that number surpassed $55,000
“Nonprofits can’t survive without the support of their communities, especially organizations like us who hand out tangible items because you always need more,” Conderino stated. “This place proves we are united. Our community really rallies around each other.”
The public has until Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. to make a donation and be entered into the different raffles.
There's also an additional part of the effort this year, which includes Beverage King's neighbors on Main Street. On Dec. 7, a percentage of proceeds from several businesses will also go to Open Doors.
To learn more about Open Doors, click here.
