Nielsen's Florist and Garden Shop at 1405 Post Road in Darien is hosting its holiday shopping evening for Darien EMS Post 53 on Thursday, November 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 a person, and every dollar of ticket money goes to Post 53, the town's ambulance service.

The evening includes wine and cheese, live entertainment and a flower bar, and everyone who attends gets 10 percent off purchases made during the event. A portion of the night's sales also goes to Post 53. Post 53 notes that last year's edition sold out, so buying ahead is the safer plan.

The raffle

Raffle tickets are sold separately, at $10 for one or $100 for 15. The prize list Post 53 has published so far includes private mahjong lessons, original artwork, wellness experiences and gift cards to local shops and restaurants, with more prizes to be announced before the event.

Who the money supports

Darien EMS Post 53 is a private, not-for-profit ambulance service that answers emergency medical calls in Darien. What sets it apart is who rides on the ambulance: state-certified Darien High School students, working alongside adult advisors. The students train, earn their certification and staff the service as part of the town's emergency response, and the organization depends on community fundraising events like this one to keep running.

For residents, the holiday evening is a way to support the people who respond to their calls while starting on a gift list in a shop that is already decked out for the season.

Getting there

The event falls the week before Thanksgiving. Nielsen's sits on the Post Road (U.S. 1), a short drive from both of Darien's Metro-North stations on the New Haven Line, Darien and Noroton Heights.

How to go

Nielsen's Holiday Shopping Event for Darien EMS Post 53, Thursday, November 19, 2026, 5 to 7 p.m., Nielsen's Florist and Garden Shop, 1405 Post Road, Darien. Event tickets are $25 and raffle tickets are $10 each or 15 for $100. Tickets are sold online through the link on Post 53's event page.

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