The Umbrella Club is a story of passion, friendship, and the belief that a quiet helping hand can make a big difference in the world. It is a fraternity of Stamford businessmen who have dedicated themselves to providing compassion, support and financial assistance to families and children in our community. The Club has donated over $4,000,000 to local families and children. It is truly one of the best kept secrets in Stamford.
Established in the early 1980s as a non-profit organization, this all-male fraternity limits itself to fifty members. They meet once a month for lunch hosted by long-time member Mike Zohdy, at Zody’s 19th Hole restaurant. Mike, Scott Kelly (Club President) and the 48 other members freely donate their time, energy and expertise, and purposely keep the Club’s activities low profile.
“Our message is if you are struggling financially with a child who is severely ill, come to us, we’ll help you. We are not a one-and-done club. If you’re still struggling down the road, we’re here to help you,” said Finance Committee Chair, Tom Heide.
The members are all local businessmen, whose ages range from 30 to 90+. They share a collective desire to do good and give back to a community that has helped shape each one of them. Each meeting starts with The Umbrella Club song, reminiscent of a college fraternity. Despite the off-pitch crooning, the brotherhood shines through. The meetings are thoughtful but not without a great deal of laughter among friends.
After a quick roll call and the reading of the minutes from the prior month’s meeting, the members get down to business – the business of evaluating and awarding funding to deserving candidates. Donations range from buying an electric wheelchair for a young resident, to large six-figure, multi-year donations to Stamford Health. They donate to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center for the expansion of Children’s Wellness Programming and help provide access in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Money is raised through three tentpole events each year - a Winter raffle, a Spring golf outing, and a late Summer Beach Party. Ninety percent of every dollar raised goes to programs which are earmarked to assist their recipients - a rare feat that not many other charities can claim.
When asked why he devotes his time and efforts, Peter Orrico, age 91 and one of the original founders of the Club, said he recently visited a recipient of a donation to present a check. “I get tears in my eyes when you see firsthand the impact our donation has on the family. I have been doing this a long, long time, and it never gets old.”
If you would like to learn more about the work of The Umbrella Club, make a donation or if you know someone with a special need that the club may be able to fill, visit their website at umbrellaclub.org
“Our message is if you are struggling financially with a child who is severely ill, come to us, we’ll help you. We are not a one-and-done club. If you’re still struggling down the road, we’re here to help you,”
Finance Committee Chair, Tom Heide.
