Wilton resident Alison Jacobson is CEO of First Candle, the New Canaan-based national non-profit committed to ending Sudden Unexpected Infant Death while providing bereavement support to families who have tragically experienced the death of their baby.
This September, under her leadership, First Candle will be hosting Country Music for a Cause With Trey Taylor, the organization’s first in-person event since COVID.
At 22 years old, Taylor exploded onto the country music scene five years ago and became the youngest Black artist in country music history. He recorded and released his first single titled “Back on My Mind Again” and gained the attention of multiple producers across the world — most notably Dolly Parton’s producer Kent Wells, who quickly signed Taylor to his Nashville, TN-based production company.
Taylor is a singer, composer, public speaker, entrepreneur and philanthropist, and plays over nine instruments. Jacobson said Taylor’s musical talent is matched only by his philanthropical desires, and he frequently performs at benefit concerts for causes near to his heart.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve already had in life and I want to be able to use my talents to give back and support causes that I believe in. Every year 3,600 babies die from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and many of these are preventable. The racial disparity in the rate of SUID is deeply disturbing, with Black babies dying at three times the rate of white babies. First Candle is working tirelessly to educate and provide resources to those families most at risk,” Taylor explained.
Taylor’s commitment to helping fundraise for First Candle is something Jacobson is personally grateful for. Not only is she the non-profit’s CEO, but she is also a SUID parent. Her son Connor died in 1997.
“Ever since Connor died I’ve made it my mission to do anything I can to spare other families from going through the incredible pain of having their baby die. I’m proud of the work we do at First Candle to help spread the message about the importance of following all of the safe sleep guidelines to prevent these tragedies.”
Proceeds from the concert will support First Candle’s mobile Mama Baby Wellness program in communities around Fairfield County. To help prevent Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, the community-based program provides resources, education, and support for new and expecting families on safe sleep and breastfeeding, as well as information on products such as portable cribs and wearable blankets.
The event will be held on Friday, Sept. 10 at First Presbyterian Church in New Canaan. The evening will feature Trey performing several songs slated to be released on his upcoming album, and VIP guests will be treated to a pre-show dinner from Odeen’s Barbecue in Ridgefield.
Tickets are now on sale online. VIP packages include eight seats, dinner and open bar, plus a meet-and-greet with Taylor. The cost for a table is $5,000. Additional sponsorship options are available for individuals and businesses. Individual tickets cost $75 and food and drinks will be available for purchase from Odeen’s with 20% of proceeds benefiting First Candle. The VIP dinner will begin at 5 p.m., and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
