‘Swinging on a Star’ Gala set for Saturday
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. » Organizers of the second annual “Swinging on a Star Gala” are hopeful to raise more than $200,000 again during its fundraiser event on March 24.
The Community Hospice, Eddy Visiting Nurse and Rehab Association and Palliative Care Partners will host the second annual “Swinging on a Star Gala,” from 5:30–11 p.m., at the Rivers Casino & Resort, 1 Rush St, Schenectady.
WRGB CBS 6 News anchor Liz Bishop will emcee the event. The evening will feature cocktails and dinner, followed by a mission auction, live musical entertainment from The Refrigerators, and dancing. Organizers said more than 500 people are expected. Officials said last year’s event raised more than $200,000.
Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit several vital programs:
• Hospice Services — including bereavement for adults and pediatrics, community education, complementary therapies (music and massage), and the Wish Fund program.
• Palliative Care Services — expand in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician offices, and patient homes.
• Eddy VNRA — support the Home Health Aide Career Ladder Program which recognizes professional aide staff and provides advancement opportunities for those who make a difference in the lives of patients and families.
“The gala is one of the most prominent events that we do and the purpose of it is to raise funds for our programs and services that are not reimbursed,” said Stephen Manny, executive director of The Community Hospice Foundation. “The federal government through Medicare does not reimburse for these services, so there all donor supported.”
Manny said all of the involved programs serve people in several different counties including Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Columbia, Greene, Montgomery and Washington. He added people may not understand what kind of special services these programs offer to families.
He explained how the community hospice has a Wish Fund program, where they help to grant wishes for hospice patients and their families.
“We recently got a call about a 37-year-old patient, actively dying and has never been to Manhattan, so wewere able to put together a Medical Van and some folks went down there with him and he had an absolutely beautiful day in the city and when he was on his way back, he actually passed away,” Manny said. “It was an amazing day for him and his family because he had a great last day in the city.”
He added how the Wish program also helped one gentleman be able to record audio messages in a Build ABear stuffed animal, so that his son could hear his voice through the stuffed animal right before he had passed away.
“These are things that people would not possibly think about when they think of hospice,” Manny said. “They [usually] think of the traditional services.”
Manny said he looks forward to the second annual event and to see people’s reaction to the stories that are shared during the gala.
“I look forward to the most seeing the reaction of people when they come and celebrate end of life care in the communities and how involved they get when they hear the stories about how we serve patients and families and children,” said Manny.
Tickets for the gala are $150 each. Black tie optional. For more information or to attend, please contact KJ Jenkins at (518) 5251265, or register securely online atwww. Swinging On A Star Gala. org