On December 5th, BuildGreenCT celebrated a fantastic debut year of advancing sustainable building practices at our Birthday Benefit held at the Two Roads Brewery in Stratford, Connecticut.
With upwards of 50 attendees, the event was a vibrant celebration of BuildGreenCT’s inaugural year as a united community working to fuel the green building movement in Connecticut.

While the night was an opportunity to connect with old friends, make new acquaintances, and celebrate Connecticut’s sustainability community, the overarching purpose of the event was a fundraiser to support BuildGreen’s mission to accelerate the just and sustainable transformation of the built environment through its:
- Year-round advocacy work,
- Programming for 2025, to include the Green Building Awards,
- Strategic investments the organization is continuing to make to foster connection and collaboration with include the launch of a member directory and sponsor showcases.



BuildGreenCT also received generous support from five amazing Program Sponsors:
- Gold: Avangrid, UI, SCG and CNG, Proud Sponsors of ENERGIZE CT
- Silver: Earthlight Technologies
- Bronze: Five West Designs, Illuminate, TinkerTry
Their partnership helps make events like this possible and continues to drive the green building movement forward.
The event included two media presentations, including one led by a cast of characters from BuildGreenCT to share 2024 highlights and what’s on the horizon for 2025.




A Night of Connection, Conversation, and Raffle Prizes
Afterward, attendees enjoyed a lively evening of merry-making and deciding which of the many tantalizing raffle prizes to try and win! Donated by our Board Members, Company Members, and Sponsors, all reflected the spirit of the evening including:
- Two Roads Private Tour for 10 – A behind-the-scenes experience at one of Connecticut’s most eco-friendly breweries, offering an exclusive look at Two Roads’ sustainable facility! Thanks Two Roads!
- Luma Electric Kitchen Composter – A sleek, electric composter that transforms food scraps into nutrient-rich compost quickly and efficiently, perfect for any eco-conscious home. Whiting-Turner donated this item, and gifted the winner with some branded merch! Thanks Whiting-Turner!
- Infrared Thermal Camera for Smartphone – Perfect for spotting hidden issues in homes, electrical systems, or machinery, the FLIR ONE offers real-time thermal images and videos with stunning clarity. Thanks George Penniman!
- Grace Farms Basket – Filled with unique, locally-sourced products that embody the spirit of this beautiful, sustainable community. Thanks Nora Rizzo!



As always, this BuildGreenCT event aimed to connect like-minded individuals who are passionate about sustainability to forge valuable connections and exchange ideas that will shape the future of sustainable design and construction in Connecticut.
- Annual & Program Sponsors were invited to share their wares at display tables.
- BuildGreenCT Members, Sponsors, and event attendees were invited to contribute to a slideshow celebrating their sustainability accomplishments in 2024.



In addition, guests enjoyed an opportunity to purchase exclusive BuildGreenCT merchandise—perfect for those who want to take home a piece of the event and continue supporting our organization’s mission. Attendees were able to purchase BuildGreenCT pint glasses and water bottles, great for showing off their commitment to sustainability at home or on the go.
If you’d like to purchase a BuildGreenCT vest, you can order one by contacting Sheri Dieso by January 2nd. Get your hands on this stylish, eco-friendly gear and represent sustainable building wherever you go!


Looking Ahead to a More Sustainable Future in Connecticut- Help us Reach our Goal of $10k by Year-End!
The BuildGreenCT Birthday Benefit was a fantastic evening that ensured our Year-end Appeal got off to a strong start, but we are still short of our goal to raise $10,000 by the end of the year to hit the ground running in 2025.
- Our Year-End Appeal is now live, and your donation will directly fund programs and initiatives that promote sustainability, energy efficiency, and green building throughout Connecticut. Whether it’s advancing educational programs, providing resources to industry professionals, or supporting community initiatives, your gift will help us make an even greater impact in the year ahead.

Donations can be made online via our website: BuildGreenCT Annual Appeal. Together, we can continue driving positive change and building a greener, more just and sustainable future for all!