About Us
We are a group of 300 mothers, sisters, daughters and friends who believe in doing good in our community.
Join Us >OUR STORY
OPUS is an organization dedicated to supporting Person-to-Person in their mission to provide more than 24,000 people in our community with food, clothing, emergency assistance and scholarship programs. We do so through fundraising, volunteering and generating awareness of these programs and initiatives.
We were founded on Valentine’s Day in 1996, when a group of women envisioned how they could pool their time, talent and commitment in helping families in need. As Katherine Michele, co-founder and first president of OPUS, explains:
“Our hope was to bring an entirely new audience, full of energy, creativity, professionalism, and a new perspective to Person-to-Person.”
Since then, hundreds have joined us, logging countless hours volunteering and fundraising to help Person-to-Person in its mission. In the process, we have created lasting friendships and proven that women united in a shared goal is a pretty powerful thing.
How We Helped in 2019
$319,970 in financial assistance to 1,015 families
993,637 meals from groceries for 12,320 people
53,095 bags of free clothing for 12,739 people
$239,201 gave 458 campers a safe, fun-filled summer
$243,168 college scholarships awarded to 96 students
1,827 children received toys & books for the holidays
81 layettes delivered to new mothers and their babies
FROM OUR PRESIDENTS

We want to thank you for your continued volunteerism, generosity, and friendship!
This past year we were able to provide food, clothing, and financial assistance to 24,873 people in Lower Fairfield County. This was made possible by sharing your time, talents, and commitment to helping families in need.
Your involvement with OPUS is more impactful this year than ever. Demand for food assistance has spiked over 60% since before the coronavirus pandemic began, and Person-to-Person has provided almost twice as much food as they did at this time last year. Over a third of those seeking food assistance and 40% of those seeking financial assistance had never asked Person-to-Person for help before.
As we approach OPUS’s 25th Anniversary in February 2021, we hope you will continue to get involved and join us in helping Person-to-Person serve our community. We invite you to join us through volunteer opportunities, attending member events, and our annual fundraisers and benefits.
Our main goals this year are to:
1. Make OPUS members more aware of, and engaged with, P2P’s mission to create educated, financially stable, and hunger-free homes for all.
2. Balance our call to action for fundraising efforts with volunteer opportunities, ensuring our OPUS members know all the ways they can get involved and support our mission.
This year, in the face of COVID, will certainly be different than years prior. We know that your different perspectives, experiences, and new ideas will help us rise to the challenge and do great things!
We look forward to a productive year ahead while making lasting friendships with this amazing network of women!
Meghan Thornton and Christina Kreuz
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Christina Kreuz
Co-President
Meghan Thornton
Co-President
Brittany Packer
Vice President
Kate Noble
Secretary
Kathleen Leuthold
Co-Treasurer
Katie Bruce
Co-Treasurer
Rachel Krouse Horowitz
Marketing
Shelly Simche
Marketing
Jenn Richardson
Corporate Development
Ingrid Bell
Corporate Development
Caroline Verrone
Corporate Development
Alyssa Mahoney
Board Liaison Family Events
Nora Zak
Board Liaison Spring Benefit
Rica Wyman
Board Liason Campership Day
Jessica Nichols
Membership Events
Betsy Officer
Event Logistics
Elyse Noonan
Event Logistics
Ashley Fisher
Membership & Recruiting
Sally Merwin
Membership & Recruiting
Lindsey Murphy
Alumnae Relations
Sarah Rudd Hunsberger
Alumnae Relations
Clare DeSalvo
Baby Basics