Printer Friendly Version - Rev. Sharon Gracen: Bringing You 'Branford Cares'

"The idea is to touch people's hearts and say you can do something about it," said Rev. Sharon Gracen of Branford Cares. The new initiative encourages the community find ways, big and small, to raise money this summer to support local agencies in assisting a growing number of Branford families in crisis when it comes to obtaining life's basic needs.

A boy who went without dinner because it was his little brother's turn compelled Rev. Sharon Gracen to spearhead Branford Cares.

No, the little boy doesn't live here. But many Branford children come from a growing number of families in crisis when it comes to paying for basic needs.

"I heard that boy's story and it caused the mother bear to rise up in me," says Sharon, who contacted the maker of a Detroit feeding program fundraising documentary, Forgotten Harvest, to verify the story.

"I told him what was coming in Branford, and that I didn't want it to be based on some nameless boy, and it's not."

As the first female rector of Branford's Trinity Episcopal Church, Sharon arrived two years ago from serving as rector in a Southern California church and before that, as canon pastor at American Cathedral in Paris, France.

"In Paris, being an ex-pat woman priest, I was nothing but a curiosity," says Sharon, who authored a book published in France, God Also Wears Prada.

"The best I could do was work with the embassy and consulate to help Americans there. Here, if those of us who are committed stay committed and work at it, we can touch people's hearts and say you can do something about it."

Sharon says Branford's amazing network of town and non-profit agencies, churches, and community service and business organizations, including Branford Chamber of Commerce, provide fertile soil for Branford Cares.

"Everyone knows if [Branford Community Foundation President] Eunice Lasala and [Branford Counseling Center Director] Pat Andriole are involved, it's something you can trust. Everybody has confidence. We don't have to create the structure to support the idea, because it's already in place."

Branford Cares is based on a community taking care of its own. Citizens, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to find ways, big and small, to raise funds this summer to be disbursed to Branford agencies to assist with supplying life's basics to Branford residents in crisis.

From neighborhood tag sales to kids' lemonade stands, from town-approved street musicians performing as buskers to the attorney who simply sent a check, or even Big Y's commitment to donate $1 from Big Y bottled water packs sold this summer, "the idea is simple-everyone does something," says Sharon. "It's a good idea because it empowers everybody. Everybody can do what's appropriate for them."

Branford Cares' goal is raising $300,000 by Labor Day. The initiative was introduced in May (see the story at www.zip06.com/branford) and now the press is on to spread the word. With seed money from the Branford Community Foundation, a mailing of Branford Cares posters is being sent to area business. Those displaying the poster will have found a way to encourage patrons to help support Branford Cares. Look for businesses displaying the Branford Cares red heart logo, designed pro-bono by Jessica Smith Photography & Design.

"We want people to see that logo everywhere. We want that to become ubiquitous," says Sharon.

At the Branford Festival, Branford Cares representatives will man a booth to introduce the concept to residents first-hand. All of the information anyone needs to get involved is at www.branfordcares.org

Sharon loves her new community of Branford, which she shares with her husband (and committed Branford Cares supporter) Peter Schuller. She's overwhelmed by the creation of this initiative-I call it a Holy Spirit project"-within just a few months of talking among the town's Clergy Association and with leaders of agencies and organizations.

On a personal note, Sharon adds, "It's in line with the gospel. I am called to live as if the kingdom has already come-where no kids go to bed hungry, nobody worries about losing their home, nobody is without heat in winter. Here, I can be used as an instrument to do that."

Trinity Episcopal Church will support Branford Cares by donating all proceeds from its third annual New England Lobster Dinner at the Branford Festival on Saturday, June 16. To reserve your lobster dinner, contact lobsterdinners@trinitybranford.org or call 203-481-2230.