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Community Corner

Rally For Sammy's Pizza and Grill in Southport

Free Benefit to Help Sammy’s Southport Pizza Will Feature Fabulous Silent Auction

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of area merchants who have donated gift certificates and merchandize, the benefit to help Sammy’s Southport Pizza and Grill recover from a devastating fire will now include a fabulous silent auction – with perfect gifts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays and graduation.

The “Rally for Sammy’s” will take place between 9 and 11 a.m. on Saturday in the Chase Bank parking lot in Southport Center, across the street from where Sammy’s restaurant was a bustling, friendly, family-oriented fixture for 10 years before it was destroyed by fire on April 14. The benefit will raise funds to help Sammy Palik and his family get through a difficult time before the restaurant can be rebuilt.   Admission to the benefit is free, and donations will be encouraged.

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There will be continuous live music by several local bands and vocal groups, including Greens Farms Academy’s Harbor Blues and Beachers and Fairfield Ludlowe’s Out of the Blue and Close Harmony. There also will be activities for children, including face-painting and a street magician, and a bake sale featuring creations by some of the area’s most talented bakers.  

Beginning at 10 a.m., there will be free pizza, supplied by Pizza Mediterranean, which is owned by Sammy’s brother, Rahmi Palik.  

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There was originally planned to be a raffle for the donated items.  However, due to the amazing response of the local merchants in Southport, Fairfield and Westport, it was decided to have a silent auction instead.  In this way, people can bid on the prizes they wish to own, rather than buy a ticket that might win a random item.  

The silent auction will feature more than 40 prizes donated by the area’s best-known area businesses. They range in value from $25 to $500, and they include gift certificates from leading restaurants in the Southport area -- and gift certificates and merchandize from many of the area’s most popular stores.  There are also gift certificates from area service providers, including fitness venues, personal grooming salons, cultural institutions and a local decorator.  (A list of donors is below).

Sammy Palik plans to rebuild his restaurant and “make it better than ever.” Meanwhile, before insurance payments start, he and his family need help in replacing his lost income and to begin the rebuilding process. He is married with three children, with a fourth child due in September. 

A partial list of those making donations includes: Artisan Restaurant,  Art & Kindness, Charged!,  Discovery Museum, Driftwood Coffee Shop, Fairfield Cheese Company,  Fairfield Museum Gift Store, Garelick and Herbs, The Gray Goose,  Greenfield Day Spa, hair, Greenwich Symphony Orchestra,  Harry’s Wine and Liquor Shop, Henri’s Reserve Champagne, Henry C. Reid Jewelers, Horseshoe Café,  Isabelle et Vincent, J McLaughlin. 

Also donating are Kasson Jewelers, Mama Jane’s Global Boutique, Martel, Millie Rae’s, Mitchells, Nest of Southport, Paci, Phillip Bruce, Pine Creek Deli,  Southport Art Gallery, Southport Athletic Club, Southport Barber Shop, Southport Blow Dry, Southport Brewing Company, Spic and Span, Splash of Pink, Sweet and Simple, Switzer’s Pharmacy, Tina Dragone, Top Drawer, Tutto Pasta, Vineyard Vines, Westport Country Playhouse. 

The benefit was put together by friends, neighbors and customers on April 14 after the Reverend Laura Whitmore of Southport Congregational Church posted news about the fire on Facebook and set a date for a Community Rally.  It was organized without meetings, committees or titles.    

As one of the volunteers said, “This is the most spontaneous, organic event I’ve ever been involved with.”

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