SAGE Celebrates Community Honorees

SAGE Eldercare celebrated three exceptional honorees the evening of October 10^th at Canoe Brook Country Club. Honorees included: Summit Area Public Foundation, Celgene and SAGE volunteer, Al Kessler of Basking Ridge. Mort O’Shea of Mendham, former CEO of Hilltop Community Bank, was the evening’s emcee and Susan Haig of Summit was guest speaker. Haig delivered a moving speech in which she thanked the staff at SAGE for the 20 years of care they provided her late mother through Home Care live-in support and the Spend-A-Day program. “SAGE is indispensable to this community,” she said.

Jack Cooper, President of Summit Area Public Foundation, accepted the Community Partner Award on behalf of the Foundation and noted that SAPF has awarded $331,500 in grants to SAGE over the last ten years. “We know a gem when we see one,” he said.

Joel Beetsch, Vice President of Patient Advocacy at Celgene accepted the Corporate Partner Award on behalf of the global biopharmaceutical company and shared that their partnership with SAGE has spanned 12 years. “It is an honor and quite humbling to be here tonight,” he said.

The event, Age Out Loud, raised awareness about SAGE’s role as an important community resource and the need for services and programs to help vulnerable older adults in the area remain independent and safe at home as they age.

SAGE Executive Director Angela Sullivan thanked the honorees and shared with the audience the comprehensive services SAGE offers and the need for community support. “We are here to honor those who have supported SAGE as we celebrate the older adults who continue to live their lives out loud by participating and engaging in our communities, by striving to keep themselves healthy and independent and by sharing their years of wisdom to help guide the future.”

Corporate sponsors included Celgene, Merck, PNC Wealth Management and Point View Wealth Management.

The event included a heartfelt video produced by Julie Mazer of Lifetime Tales Productions in Short Hills highlighting testimonials from those who have benefitted from SAGE’s services. Flower arrangements were donated by Mandana Arvande and Seasons – A Floral Design Studio, in Manhattan and chocolates were donated by Sweet Nothings of Summit. Silent auction items were donated by Canoe Brook Country Club, The Grand Summit Hotel, Harvest Restaurants and State Theatre New Jersey.