Spring Ball Committee finalizes plans for gala

Warwick — St. Anthony Community Hospital, in Warwick, will host this year’s Annual Spring Ball on Saturday evening, April 28, at the Sheraton Crossroads in nearby Mahwah, N.J. The hotel, which overlooks the picturesque Ramapo Valley, is famous for its multi-level glass façade, unsurpassed luxury, elegance and quality of food and service. Beginning with an exclusive VIP reception at 6 p.m. what has become the social event of the season will feature cocktails and a silent auction starting at 7 p.m., followed by dinner, award presentations, dancing and a live auction. The Spring Ball Committee, whose ranks have tripled in the past few years, has been working hard to make this year’s event a record success. “Over 300 tickets were sold well before invitations had even been mailed and we are now almost sold out,” said Rudy Breedy, executive director of the Bon Secours Community Health System Foundation. “The support from our community this year has been extraordinary.” The Annual Spring Ball is the largest fund-raiser for the Warwick Healthcare Campus and has established a goal for this year of more than $200,000. Proceeds will be used to help fund the modernization and expansion of St. Anthony Community Hospital’s emergency department. Planned improvements are part of the overall modernization of the hospital to better serve the community’s healthcare needs. Apart from raising funds for the benefit of the hospital, a highlight of the Spring Ball will be to honor members of the community, the medical staff and an outstanding hospital employee. The Warwick Healthcare Campus, which is comprised of St. Anthony Community Hospital, Schervier Pavilion and Mount Alverno Center, will pay tribute this year to the Kennedy family along with Dr. John Fiore and Diane DeFreest, Nurse Manager of The Kennedy Birthing Center. For the first time in the history of the Spring Ball, a spectacular multi-media presentation, produced by Redlake Advertising, will highlight the honorees and their accomplishments. This year’s Spring Ball is being underwritten by Provident Savings Bank and the Warwick Savings Foundation. The visual theme, “English Formal Gardens,” will be provided courtesy of Green Mountain Landscaping. Thanks to the generosity of numerous other donors, the silent auction this year will feature a large selection of high-end works of art and gifts. Major attractions for the live auction include a seven-day trip and stay at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Puerto Rico, donated by the Breeman family and a $4,500 diamond necklace courtesy of Liz’s Fine Jewelry. Raffle tickets, now on sale, also feature five attractive prizes including a $3,000 Disney vacation courtesy of Warwick Savings Foundation; a $1,500 large screen HDTV donated by the James J. Cupero Law Offices and a video IPOD courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Laskow. Fourth prize is a $500 ShopRite gift card courtesy of Warwick IGM Acupressure and two cases of fine wine donated by Peck’s Wines & Spirits. Tickets will be drawn at the Spring Ball and winners need not be present. The Annual Spring Ball also offers sponsorship and journal advertising opportunities for individuals and businesses wishing to demonstrate support for the Warwick Healthcare Campus and this year’s honorees. Although the official journal is about to go to press, some sponsorships and advertising opportunities are still available. “The overall success of the Annual Spring Ball,” said Leah Cerkvenik, executive vice president/administrator of the Warwick Healthcare Campus, “is always the result of hard work by all our volunteers and especially our committees and chairpersons. “But achieving its goal of helping to fund the modernization and expansion of St. Anthony Community Hospital’s emergency department, would not be possible without the strong support we enjoy from wonderful people, including our own employees, along with organizations and businesses in our community. “We are especially grateful to all those who donated gifts and money to hopefully help make this event the most successful to date.” Although the Spring Ball has a five-year history as a sell-out event, there may be a limited number of tickets still available. To make reservations or learn more about sponsorship and other advertising opportunities, call 845-987-5677.