New London — A popular annual fundraiser in the city has a new name and new organizers, but its goal of raising funds for the New London Community Meal Center hasn't changed.

At 6 p.m. Saturday, at 305 State St., in property that's part of the Garde Theater complex, a new cadre of volunteers will host their first annual Evening of Giving, a new rendition of the former Festival of Trees. In addition to an auction of 20 decorated Christmas trees, 19 live and one artificial, there will be chances to win gift cards, show tickets and other items, with all proceeds going to the Montauk Avenue meal center that fed 35,000 individuals in need last year.

Amy Sarcia, an owner of 2Wives pizza restaurant in New London and a real estate developer, said she was dismayed when she learned in late October that the Downtown New London Association had voted to cancel what would have been the 13th annual Festival of Trees fundraiser in the midst of a City Hall skirmish over funding for the unrelated Sailfest.

On Oct. 21, Barbara Neff, organizer of Sailfest and the tree festival, said association board members were exhausted by the Sailfest inquisition and would not be hosting this year's decorated tree auction in December.

"I just couldn't sleep at night when I heard that, knowing that the meal center would go without this big donation," Sarcia said. "And, selfishly, I love this event. I've gone to it probably six or seven years and it's a favorite annual event in New London."

So Sarcia, one of the original organizers of the Fiddleheads food cooperative, began reaching out to other business people, friends and associates.

"I just started talking to people and one thing led to another," she said, rattling off the names of people she asked to help, and others who heard about what she was doing and volunteered on their own.

Allyn Brown at Maple Lane Farms in Preston agreed to donate the trees. Jeff Daniels of Daniels Construction in New London agreed to transport the evergreens. Tony Saurez of Northern Light Gems, also in New London, also helped recruit volunteers and donations. Other people have stepped up to donate tree stands and businesses and individuals agreed to decorate trees, serve as auctioneers, solicit raffle items and do whatever else is necessary.

The Garde provided space for the event, and New London Main Street, which recently relocated in the office next door to the spot where the tree auction will be held, agreed to share its space for the festivities. Muddy Waters and 2Wives, two downtown eateries, will provide food.

"It just all started coming together," Sarcia said, naming city businesses that agreed to participate in one way or another.

"I just feel it is so important to raise this money for the meal center," she said. "They feed over 35,000 people in the New London area who are in need of a meal. And that to me is one of the most basic human rights. And (the New London Community Meal Center) are in dire straits. They put out a call for help earlier this year. And they are a great organization."

Sarcia said she would like to see the Downtown New London Association resume organization of the event next year, but believes it is too important a cause to skip for even a single year.

"This isn't about politics, it's about taking care of people in our neighborhoods," she said. "We just can't let the meal center go without this donation this year."

The event, in the storefront at State and Masonic streets, will begin at 6 p.m. Attendees are invited to make donations at the door. From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. there will be viewing of the trees and beverages and snacks. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. there will be a live auction of the decorated trees and raffle of other items.

a.baldelli@theday.com  

If you go

What: the first annual Evening of Giving, with auctions and raffles of holiday-related and other items to raise funds for the New London Community Meal Center

When: beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: 305 State St., the storefront at State and Masonic streets