Annual Hospice dinner a success for the community
NORWICH – More than 150 community leaders from area nonprofits and businesses alike attended one of the largest annual fundraisers in support of Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, Thursday evening.
The annual benefit dinner saw marked success, according to the nonprofit's Development & Outreach Coordinator Kendall Drexler.
“Attendance at this year's dinner was the best we have seen in a number of years, as an organization we're very thankful to all who took the time to participate.”
Not your average “benefit dinner,” the event implemented a variety of creative unique tactics to generate more cash for the cause. A cocktail-hour silent auction was accompanied by table side live auction action complete with well-versed local auctioneer Jerry LeClair – who clearly knew how to work bidders against one another.
“The live auction is definitely the most exciting part of the night, it gets participants engaged and stirred up some friendly competition amongst donors,” said Drexler.
Drexler indicated that all “items” were placed up for bid were donated from several area businesses, but not all were physical in nature.
“We worked very hard to keep things unique, and were able to offer a variety of 'experiences' to bidders," said Drexler.
One such experience was a seat with Santa Claus on the City of Norwich “ladder truck” at this years Evening Sun & Pennysaver Parade of Lights coming up on November 28 – commanding an impressive bid of more than $250.
A troupe of eight “celebrity waiters” would host tables to earn upwards of $2,000 in additional funding by fetching drinks, singing songs or taking car keys in lieu of payment—whatever it took— in an effort to out-do one another.
While at its core the dinner was all about raising much needed funding, the evening was also marked with time for recognition. Tina Utley Edwards, Executive Director of Chenango Health Network, was honored as 2015's “Hospice Hero” for her role in community advocacy with regard to the Chenango Hospice organization.
“Tina has really gone above and beyond for hospice and has increased not only community awareness; but also brought a broadened understanding of what it is that Hospice does to the community though the Chenango Health Network,” said Drexler.
While all the numbers haven't been officially tallied, Drexler indicates Thursday's dinner was a success; and that the organization is already looking ahead to it's next fundraiser: The Hospice Home Made Craft Sale to be held at Sew Nice in Norwich's North Plaza on Dee. 4-5. Hospice Home Made is the auxiliary branch of the organization that raises funding year round to cover fringe costs for patients and families of Chenango Hospice.
For more information, or to volunteer — or reserve a seat—at next year's event, contact Kendall Drexler at 334-3556.
The annual benefit dinner saw marked success, according to the nonprofit's Development & Outreach Coordinator Kendall Drexler.
“Attendance at this year's dinner was the best we have seen in a number of years, as an organization we're very thankful to all who took the time to participate.”
Not your average “benefit dinner,” the event implemented a variety of creative unique tactics to generate more cash for the cause. A cocktail-hour silent auction was accompanied by table side live auction action complete with well-versed local auctioneer Jerry LeClair – who clearly knew how to work bidders against one another.
“The live auction is definitely the most exciting part of the night, it gets participants engaged and stirred up some friendly competition amongst donors,” said Drexler.
Drexler indicated that all “items” were placed up for bid were donated from several area businesses, but not all were physical in nature.
“We worked very hard to keep things unique, and were able to offer a variety of 'experiences' to bidders," said Drexler.
One such experience was a seat with Santa Claus on the City of Norwich “ladder truck” at this years Evening Sun & Pennysaver Parade of Lights coming up on November 28 – commanding an impressive bid of more than $250.
A troupe of eight “celebrity waiters” would host tables to earn upwards of $2,000 in additional funding by fetching drinks, singing songs or taking car keys in lieu of payment—whatever it took— in an effort to out-do one another.
While at its core the dinner was all about raising much needed funding, the evening was also marked with time for recognition. Tina Utley Edwards, Executive Director of Chenango Health Network, was honored as 2015's “Hospice Hero” for her role in community advocacy with regard to the Chenango Hospice organization.
“Tina has really gone above and beyond for hospice and has increased not only community awareness; but also brought a broadened understanding of what it is that Hospice does to the community though the Chenango Health Network,” said Drexler.
While all the numbers haven't been officially tallied, Drexler indicates Thursday's dinner was a success; and that the organization is already looking ahead to it's next fundraiser: The Hospice Home Made Craft Sale to be held at Sew Nice in Norwich's North Plaza on Dee. 4-5. Hospice Home Made is the auxiliary branch of the organization that raises funding year round to cover fringe costs for patients and families of Chenango Hospice.
For more information, or to volunteer — or reserve a seat—at next year's event, contact Kendall Drexler at 334-3556.
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