Bristol Resident celebrates 50th Birthday by cooking for those in need

Written By: Laura Bailey

BRISTOL, CT- Lifelong Bristol resident Rippy Patton is marking his 50th birthday by giving back to those in need. On Thursday, Dec. 5, Patton will set up his grill in the parking lot of Brian’s Angels, a local nonprofit serving the homeless, where he plans to cook 50 hamburgers and 50 hot dogs for their clients.

“I have a special attachment to Brian’s Angels,” Patton said. “In 2015 I saw a post that they were looking for help feeding our homeless population and my daughter and I went to the volunteer opportunity. I had no idea that it was their first meeting.

“I’ve tried to be invested in their cause from day one. The first meals they ever packed, my daughter Camryn and I were there helping to fill them in a small apartment,” he said. “It’s amazing to see what Pat Stebbins and her team have made it. I’ll never stop supporting them.”

Patton, a graduate of Bristol Central High School, continues to be a steadfast supporter of the local nonprofit. Over the past nine years, Brian’s Angels has grown significantly, thanks to the efforts of volunteers, including founder Pat Stebbins, who started the organization in memory of her son, Brian Pinz.

Brian’s Angels offers a variety of services to those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, including meals, toiletries, clothing, temporary shelter, and showers. The demand for these services has seen a large uptick since 2022.

“On average we are feeding 50 people per day, six-eight showers daily,” Pat Stebbins said.

Due to the high of demand for the services provided by Brian’s Angels, the organization is in serious need of food and warm clothing for the cold months ahead.

“We need warm coats, if people would check out our MealTrain, we need sandwiches which they get two to go; 50 meals would be equal to 100 sandwiches to go. Individual snack foods are desperately needed as well; fleece, sweats, thermals.”

Patton’s decision to celebrate his birthday by cooking for Brian’s Angels clients is part of his ongoing commitment to the organization. He announced his plans on Facebook to an overwhelmingly positive response from the community.

“It’s been amazing since I announced it,” Patton said, “My plan was to purchase 50 hot dogs and 50 hamburgers, and I asked the community for donations of sides and sweets. I’ve been Venmo’d donations from as far as the Carolinas and have had a few local nonprofits reach out offering to contribute as well. This went from me offering to purchase the food, to our community doing it for me. I’m extremely grateful.”

Located at 99 Summer St. in Bristol, Brian’s Angels is open daily Tuesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Among the many services that the nonprofit provides their clients are hot meals, clothing, temporary shelter, warming/cooling center and a place to shower. Stebbins said that she is grateful that Patton and his family have been such big supporters of the Brian’s Angels mission.

“Rippy and Cam Patton were two of the first people to help,” Stebbins said. “He’s been so supportive, as has his whole family. I’m honored to call him a friend. What a great thing to do for his own birthday”

Laura Bailey can be reached at lbailey@bristoledition.org

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