By unanimous consent, the 4th Annual Caregiver Soirée was the best yet! Attended by more than 300 caregivers and their family members, I was happy to hear all of the compliments about the beautiful Bryant Park Grill, its staff and menu. This year’s fabulous entertainment included Ron Sunshine & Full Swing, with guest singer Napua Davoy; Tammy Halabruda of “You Should be Dancing” Dance Center; storyteller Jane Marx; and quick sketch artist Laurie Edmonds.

Many thanks to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, because without its generous contribution this year’s Soirée would not have been possible. The Caregiver Soirée was initiated and is organized by the NYC Chapter’s Support Group Program to celebrate National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Caregivers Month.

At the Soirée, we come together as caregivers who share the unique experience of coping and living with dementia. As you can see in the photographs, everyone is having fun – socializing, listening to music, dancing, having their portraits drawn and enjoying the buffet.

The Soirée is especially meaningful because, as one caregiver aptly said, “You know how much heartbreak there is in this room.This is wonderful!” The Soirée is a healing experience, and being there is uplifting. By all reports, memories of the afternoon party provide valuable sustenance to caregivers during hard times.

I’d like to extend my special thanks to the Soirée Committee: June Aronson, Susan Caccappolo, Chris Chin, Rita Golub, Mary Hume, Rosemary Irving, Ken Onaitis, Linda Otero, Alissa Pizzutiello, Alison Reynoso, Lorraine Ruggieri, Dante Tipiani, and Licet Valois, as well as to Jed Levine, Lou-Ellen Barkan and Susan Sugarman for their support.

Visit our Photo Gallery to view the complete 2007 Caregiver Soirée album.

— Wendy Panken, LCSW Manager, Support Groups Previous | Next