Green Light Gala
The Place: Nova Place on the North Side, Thursday evening
The Party: NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s second annual Green Light Gala works to help eliminate stigmatization of mental illness and to raise funds to support its programs.
“This is such an important event for us,” said NAMI CEO Chris Michaels (with Damien). “It raises much needed funds and awareness for our community programs and services which are all at no cost to the participants,” she explained. President of UPMC Health Plan, Diane Holder, was the evening’s guest speaker. She talked about the importance of support networks like NAMI for families and people working toward better mental health. Guests had a chance to win prints that had been on the set of NBC’s sitcom “Will and Grace” by Pittsburgh artist Johno Prascak during a raffle. WDVE--FM morning show host Randy Baumann emceed and introduced party co-chairs Libby Mascaro (with Michael) and Sam Kane who thanked everyone for their much needed support.
The People: The third event co-chair, Kathy Testoni, mingled with nearly 300 guests to the sounds of The Move Makers Band. Other supporters included Vicki and Mark McKenna with their son Andy and daughter Kylie, Abby and Jeff Sorbara, Allison Mirasola, Michelle and Douglas Gerwick, Neen Davis, Stacey Rhodes, Linda and Jay Their, Betsy Brubaker, Donna Lund and Dr. Loren and Ellen Roth.