Press Release, Branford Rotary Club

Just before 7 p.m. on May 2, Vincent Valentino got a text. He thought it was a hoax.

“When I looked at my phone, I was thinking, ‘...this must be a scam. Someone’s gonna ask me to send ‘em money or give them something,” Valentino recalled.

Actually, it was the other way around. The Branford resident had just won the “Absurd Grand Prize” in Branford Rotary’s annual Braffle – the Outrageous Restaurant Raffle.Valentino is now the proud holder of $5,000 in $100 gift cards to 50 Branford restaurants. Yes, 50.

“I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it,” said Valentino. “This really happened.”

Rotary’s 2024 Braffle, which sold out in two weeks, raised $50,000, with the majority of the proceeds going to the Basic Needs fund at Branford Counseling & Community Services. That program helps struggling families with food, rent and utilities.

Now in its fourth year, Braffle has raised more than $200,000 in all, which makes it unique, said Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove.

“Braffle is the single-most significant annual fundraising event that goes directly to the community of Branford,” said Cosgrove. “It has a tremendous, tremendous impact helping people most in need.”

That impact is why Valentino said he entered Braffle. And the grand prize? That, he said, “...is better than winning money.”

“All these gift cards, it makes you go out, have fun, try something different,” Valentino said. “There’s going to be restaurants I’m going to that I would never try.”

And if you’re a friend of his hoping to grab a free meal, get in line.

“They’ve all been calling me this morning already, telling me what restaurants they want to go to,” he said.

Branford resident Stefanie Breitung-Duffy won Braffle’s “Ridiculous 2nd Prize” - $2,500 in $50 gift cards to 50 local restaurants. Like Valentino, she was amazed.

“When they called to say I’d won, I thought they were joking! I never win anything,” said Breitung-Duffy. “It took me off guard. I was truly moved.”

Breitung-Duffy said she bought tickets because Braffle helps struggling families, but she also likes that it supports local restaurants, which are still recovering from the pandemic that shut down so many. And for her, there was a third benefit.

“I love going out to eat, so now I don’t have to cook,” she joked.

Valentino and Breitung-Duffy took the top prizes, but there were eight other Braffle winners at the May 2 drawing, held at The Stand restaurant. Nicholas DiGrazio Jr., Ainsley Highman, Hilary Brunner, Jill Platt, Lauren Bernacchia, William Ryan, Nancy Judd, and Debra Giordano each took home $100 gift cards they can use at the restaurant of their choice.

“Braffle has ten winners each year, but the great thing about it is the town always wins no matter what,” said Branford Rotary President Chuck O’Connor. “Of course, it is more fun to win, but there’s always Braffle 2025!”

Braffle is just one of many Branford Rotary projects throughout the year. The club is a service organization of more than 60 local women and men who volunteer their time and effort to help those in need in Branford, across the shoreline, and around the world. Rotary welcomes anyone who lives or works in Branford to join them. To learn more, go to BranfordRotary.org, drop in their DMs, or send a note to info@branfordrotary.org