Mary Ann Boccolini, CEO of Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice unveiled details of the not-for-profit organization’s annual Celebration of Life Gala today to be held on February 23rdat The Westin Mt. Laurel. This year’s gala theme is “Set Sail With Samaritan.”
Guests are invited to embark on an elegant evening of food, live music from CTO 5th Avenue, dancing, games and fabulous prizes. The evening will also feature the Sailabration of Life Auction, where guests are invited to bid on a variety of fabulous prizes. Later in the evening, the winner of the organization’s Delightful Dining raffle will be announced. The raffle tickets, at $5 each, offer the chance to win twelve $200 dining gift certificates (valued at a total of $2,400) to some of the area’s finest restaurants.
“I am pleased that Terriann Procida of Moorestown, president of Innovative Benefit Planning LLC in Cinnaminson, has once again agreed to serve as this year’s gala chair,” said Boccolini. “Terri and her fellow committee members have given generously of their time and talents to ensure another successful gala – and that everyone is guaranteed to have a fun evening,” she added.
This year, Samaritan is pleased to welcome CBS 3’s Kathy Orr, who has graciously accepted the opportunity to be the emcee for the evening’s events. Orr is an Emmy award winning Meteorologist, providing forecasts weekdays on The CW Philly’s and CBS 3 Eyewitness News, and CBS 3′s sister radio station, 94 WIP. Orr arrived in Philadelphia in 1998 as the first female meteorologist in the Philadelphia television market. Her forecasting and reporting have earned her eight Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards for “Best Weathercaster,” as well as top honors from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association and “Best Weathercaster” honor in Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best of Philly” issue.
Holman Automotive, headquartered in Pennsauken, has once again returned as Presenting Sponsor. Mindy Holman, President and CEO of Holman Enterprises, has been a long-time supporter of Samaritan’s programs and services.
Proceeds from the evening will benefit Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice programs and services that are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance as well as offering help for patients without any insurance.
“The proceeds collected at events like our gala ensure that we are able to continue to provide the highest level of care to any and all who request it,” explained Boccolini. “Samaritan has never turned anyone away for an inability to pay – this year will be no different due to the generosity of all those who support this fantastic event.”
For tickets or sponsorship information, contact Julie Weitzman at (856) 552-3239 or jweitzman@samaritanhospice.org.
About Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice:
Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice is the regional leader for hospice and palliative (comfort) care, grief support and counseling, end-of-life education, research and advocacy. In addition to hospice services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers, Samaritan’s Family of Services also provides more than $1 million each year in essential, yet non-reimbursed, services through generous community support of The Samaritan Fund. Samaritan is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian organization serving people in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties who are coping with serious illness or grief. For more information, visit www.samaritanhospice.org.
