Joe Ganim

At the Chaz and AJ Toy Drive happening now! About to take the stage with John Gomes for a Duet of Sonny & Cher's "I Got You Babe" 😆🎼
The Toy Drive will share toys and money raised with The McGivney Center and Center for Family Justice. Thank you WPLR! Happy holidays!

The Bridgeport Regional Business Council hosted the Annual Awards Gala last night and featured many faces from our city that you know and recognize as making a positive impact and contribute to thriving communities! and more!
Congratulations to all the winners and the attendees who drive our business community.

There was a bit of chill in the air last night, but that didn't keep us from sharing warm holiday wishes at the Stratfield Historic District Association Annual Tree Lighting and Pizza Party! 🍕
We took a moment to celebrate the memory of John Olson and Yvette Brantley. 🎄🙏
I also had the pleasure of chatting with Jose Luis Santiago, a student at Fairchild Wheeler School - a shining star. 💫

Looking for family fun holiday event performed with kids for kids?!

See Micaela and our Bridgeport young performers of Creative Youth Productions 🎬 💫
Sunday at 3pm featuring
"A GOOFY CHRISTMAS"
at the Bijou Theater
275 Fairfield Avenue.

Bijou Theatre CT

The stars and lights are shining ✨️ bright in Black Rock tonight!
Big turnout for the Black Rock Tree Lighting 🎄! Hot cocoa and holiday cheer all around.
Special shout out to this twinkling 🌟 star *Micaela Lopez* from Black Rock School 🤩
Happy holiday season BPT!

It was a dazzling incredible time last night at the City of Bridgeport's annual holiday tree lighting event! 🎄✨
McLevy Green was filled with excitement, vendors, special performances, and families.

Shoutout to STAR 99.9 FM for being fantastic emcees and a big thank you to all the vendors and performers who made it so special. Major appreciation for the dedicated folks who worked hard to organize this unforgettable celebration for kids and families! 🌟

A lot of Santa sightings throughout Bridgeport today! 🎅
Take a look at how beautiful and whimsical Christmas Village is - thanks to the many volunteers.

Melvin Riley was a good-hearted person who loved his family and friends. I had the honor of stopping by to express my condolences.

Melvin loved his family and friends ❤️ in return was loved by them - which was evident at the celebration of his life memorial.

🌟Big 🌟Sustainable Energy Things are Happening 🌟 in Bridgeport 🌟

We joined Governor Lamont at a press conference to announce $47M Infrastructure funding that was awarded to Nanoramic Laboratories.

Nanoramic chose Bridgeport (!) to build their manufacturing facility of lithium battery electrodes... This project will provide 200 permanent jobs.

Welcome Nanoramic!

🌟 Exciting News from Bridgeport PD!
I was thrilled to attend the Bridgeport Police Department check presentations for a great cause! Supporting the Marilyn Goldstone Foundation and Homes for the Brave, making a positive impact together! 🙌 These agencies and the people make a difference in our community. 💙🏡

It was a busy morning (!) with many of our service providers... including Deb Greenwood at the Center for Family Justice, that does so much help victims of domestic and sexual violence. I went with the Chief and presented a check at Homes for the Braves; and AMR on behalf of Marilyn Goldstone Foundation for toys for kids during the holidays...
Then over to the new Thomas Merton Family Center - which provides meals, but so much more in the way of services for many individuals of need in the City of Bridgeport.
Thank you all!

After this fantastic morning, I was able to enjoy a quick lunch with mom and even left with a doggy bag. 🙂 Thanks, Mom. Xo

This evening, we joined YANA and Dawn Spearman to gather at Majestic "Serenity Park" with moms and the family members of homicide victims.
It was a touching and beautiful ceremony. During the holiday season, 🌲🍂 we recognize that these families have lingering heartache 💔 and that YANA and others are here to lean on.

Enjoyed an epic diner tour thru BPT this weekend 🍔🌭🍳 White's, Frankie's, and Galaxy - each a flavor-packed journey. The food? Always good - and everyone has favorite menu items!
But what makes it unforgettable? Connecting with friends and familiar faces from our community. There's something magical about diners—they're not just about meals, but the heartbeat of our city. Cheers to good food, great friends, and the diners that bring us together! 🌟

Frankies Diner Galaxy Diner-Restaurant Whites Diner

This month, we attended the Council of American Italian Societies of Greater BPT to celebrate and recognize the Volunteers of the Year - many of you know these names and faces!...🎊
Congratulations and Kudos to Jay Piccirillo and Judy Marella. 🌟
Shout out to emcee Chris Caruso and Grand Marshal Nancy Dinardo.

I recently joined "Project Longevity" at an event for a number of young men who had been recently released from incarceration.

Information was provided from a number of organizations that support reentry and returning citizens including our police department, probation, and department of parole. I shared my story as a returning citizen and the hurdles that can be very discouraging.

There were a number of men who have turned things around... these men have formed the organization called "Quicksand to Solid Ground."

They showed the power of perseverance and commitment to turn things around in a difficult world.

As part of my listening tour throughout the city, I shared topics and concerns from our residents with key departments. Department heads are eager to respond and step up with ways to address these issues and make improvements. We hear you Bridgeport! More to follow...

Last Sunday, Pastor Dexter gave me a tour of the facilities at New Vision after attending service. It's amazing the depth and breath and number of people, especially children that have an opportunity that would not otherwise be available but for the leadership and commitment of Pastor Dexter. This is in the hollow section on Benham Avenue near where my mother grew up. Thank you for your church and all that you provide to so many.

Small Business Saturday tour was all day... here's a few more that we popped in on:

🍟French Fries los Parcheros- NEW business opened Sept 30 on Main St.

💈Al’s Millennium Barber Shop on North Ave. AL!

💈Craig & Terry’s Barber Shop on Broad - opened 2 years ago.

Great to see everyone busy!

It's Small Business Saturday at United Roots in Bridgeport! United Roots opened in 1989 and ships internationally all over the 🌎 globe! It's the perfect boutique for gift items. 🎁 check it out!

These are the Harding High School cheerleaders at the Central v Harding Thanksgiving day football game - a wonderful tradition in Bridgeport! Both teams represented well! 🏈 BPT has talent on that field!
We joined Harding principal Vernon Thompson with Chief Porter and all the High School alumni to watch and cheer on our athletes!

Finishing the Pequot 5 mile Turkey Day run - my annual tradition to stay in shape. Getting older... but still able to do 45 minutes, just under nine minute miles.

Norden Club hosted their annual turkey drive to benefit the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Boxes of turkeys are heavy! 😉🦃 Happy Thanksgiving!

Visiting friends and neighbors at the Mt Aery Thanksgiving Dinner. Always good to gather with members of the congregation and community, thankful.

Thankful that we have a community that rallies for each other in times of need.

It was a dazzling black tie affair and fundraising event hosted by Together We Care 💜 to support the ongoing initiatives aimed at improving the lives of children and mothers in our community. The event, "Together We Care Fundraiser: Each One Build One Foundation," advocates for programs that benefit the well-being and education of our city's young people.

That time of year - the annual city turkey distribution. Providing turkeys to agencies and churches that help individuals and families in our community. Thank you, and thank you for caring.

Had an incredible time at Dialed Action Sports Stop Bullying BMX Show hosted by Color A Positive Thought at Trumbull Gardens 🚴‍♂️💙 Having fun with the kids and positive vibes, not to mention a strong message against bullying. Let's spread kindness!

It's the Turkey Basket Brigade at the city garage staging area where they gathered to distribute turkey baskets to families in need. It was an incredible outpouring of generosity for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. 🦃

We joined the Thanksgiving feast at the North Bethany Senior Center. Delighted to spend time with friends and spread holiday joy ahead of Thanksgiving next week. Grateful for the warm welcome! 🍁

Bridgeport is certainly in the Thanksgiving holiday vibe, expressing gratitude and grace in every community. This is St. Luke's - St Paul's Episcopal on Kossuth Turkey giveaway. 🦃