Needham Area Community Cabinet’s Evening Under the Stars Raises Essential Support for Visiting Nurses

VNA Care’s Needham Area Community Cabinet recently hosted the 13^th annual Evening Under the Stars at the MIT Endicott House benefiting VNA Care, a nonprofit visiting nurse association that has provided health care in patients’ homes for 140 years.

“Evening Under the Stars is more than a fundraiser — it’s a celebration of the community coming together to ensure every individual receives care, comfort, and dignity in their time of need,” said Laura Wise, manager of fund development for VNA Care. “We are incredibly grateful to our Cabinet volunteers, sponsors, and donors for strengthening our ability to provide life-changing care to patients and families.”

Since its inception, the Needham Area Community Cabinet’s annual spring benefit has raised $700,000 in support of VNA Care’s mission. The organization’s skilled nurses and clinicians help patients manage complex or newly diagnosed medical conditions and recover from surgery in the comfort of home. When an illness is terminal, VNA Care’s hospice team enables patients to live with dignity throughout the end-of-life journey and provides grief support for their loved ones.

The event was led by VNA Care’s Community Cabinet, whose volunteer leaders include Kerrie and Ellison Patten of Medfield and, from Needham, Louise Condon of Louise Condon Realty; Debra Kazarian, VP, branch manager, Fidelity Bank in Needham; Edward Mulhall, assistant branch manager, Fidelity Bank; Gail Nannini of Condon Realty; Harding Ounanian, Jr.; and Kathy Whitney. Nancy Andrie, Community Relations Director of Wingate Living, Louise Condon, and Ellison Patten served as the event’s Fund the Need Chairs.

VNA Care also recognizes the generosity of its Inspired Leader Sponsor, Mutual of America, and Changemaker Sponsors, Dedham Savings and Needham Bank.

Photos from Evening Under the Stars are available at https://www.VNACare.org/Stars. To learn more about supporting VNA Care or the 2027 Evening Under the Stars, contact Laura Wise at Laura_Wise@vnacare.org.