Wartburg June Gala Raises $165,000 And Celebrates 150 Years of Service

The fourth annual Jazz in June gala for Wartburg, a leading senior service provider in Westchester, NY, raised nearly $165,000 on June 16, 2016. The event was held at the Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle, NY, with over 300 guests and 36 sponsors. This year’s event included special guests B. Smith and Dan Gasby and honorees included The Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School Alumnus and Founder/CEO of The Future Society, Inc., Larry Fair; dedicated partner and service provider, the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley NY Chapter and longtime spiritual partner, St. Peter’s Church in New York City.

B. Smith, an international model, TV host, restaurateur and author, and her husband and television producer, Dan Gasby, were this year’s keynote speakers. B. Smith was diagnosed in 2012 with early onset Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 62. B. and Dan have since been praised for their bare-all book about their journey, “Before I Forget: Love, Hope and Acceptance in our Fight Against Alzheimer’s (2016).”

"B. and I were delighted to participate in the 150th anniversary of Wartburg,” said Dan Gasby. “What we have come to understand is that Wartburg has had a history of going out of its way for those in need and as time changed Wartburg has adapted to be a 21st century senior care facility for those who need it and those who care for them know that will their loved one will be taken care of that will dignity and security.”

Larry Fair, who once called The Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School home, said, “All I can say is that I feel very honored and humbled that Wartburg, who has set the foundation in which I build my life on, is honoring me. I am thankful for this honor and for their continued support of me and The Future Society Inc.'s vision.”

The Future Society, Inc. is a local non-profit, providing mentoring activities for disadvantaged inner city youth and support mechanisms for parents. During his remarks at the event, Mr. Fair attributes the life lessons and upbringing while at The Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School, particularly the guidance received by his housemother, Ms. Alfrieda Gross, as the reason for his life’s work with children.
The Alzheimer's Association Hudson Valley NY Chapter is a dedicated community partner supporting research initiatives and providing assistance to those affected by the disease. Wartburg has a long-standing partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association including offering educational seminars and collaborating on community arts-based programming for older adults living with memory impairment. Understanding the benefits of stimulation for this patient population, Wartburg and the Alzheimer’s Association announced their collaboration, funded in part by a grant from NYS Department of Health, on a choir program for those in the community living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and their caregivers.

Saint Peter’s Church, located in midtown Manhattan, is a spiritual care provider to the New York City community and longtime supporter of Wartburg’s mission. St. Peter’s has long partnered with Wartburg from its inception as The Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School in 1866 through today as a spiritual care provider to older adults.

Dominic Carter, nationally recognized, RNN/FIOS 1 News reporter, was the Master of Ceremonies at this year’s gala. “Wartburg does outstanding work for the community and really is the Harvard University when it comes to taking care of our elders with dignity.” said Mr. Carter.

Attendees danced to the sounds of The Groove Shop, a 12-piece band that was voted the “Best of New York and New Jersey” for their eclectic sound, energy and talent.

Major sponsors for Jazz in June 2016 included Morrison Senior Living, Patient Care Associates, Inc., Carol Delaney, 58A JVD Industries, Michael & Kathleen Holden, Norton Rose Fulbright, Andrew B. Roth, PharmScript and Westchester Ambulette Service Inc.

“It was a pleasure to recognize such deserving honorees and we were especially pleased to recognize B. Smith and Dan Gasby. We are so very grateful for the volunteers and sponsorship support that helped make our fourth annual gala such a success,” said David Gentner, Wartburg President and CEO.

These Funds will benefit Wartburg’s integrated, comprehensive senior care including a wide range of services to both residents on their expansive 34-acre campus and seniors living at home throughout neighboring communities. Wartburg offers residential options such as affordable housing, independent and assisted living, as well as inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, home care, nursing home care, and adult day services. All of the services provide specialized memory care for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Most recently, Wartburg received the Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award from the American College of Health Care Administrators and the 2015 Legacy Award from the Westchester County Chapter of the Links. In addition, Wartburg was honored with a Telly Award for Excellence in Documentary for their segment on PBS’s Visionaries series highlighting their award-winning, internationally recognized arts-based program, Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning. Wartburg was also named one of the "Best Nursing Homes in New York State", by U.S. News & World Report for the sixth consecutive year in 2016.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities for ongoing 150 anniversary Wartburg events, please contact l Angela Ciminello, Director of Development and Marketing, at 914-513-5179 or aciminello@wartburg.org.

Wartburg, located in Westchester County, NY, offers integrated, comprehensive senior residential and healthcare services for all stages of life. Unlike conventional senior service providers, Wartburg provides a wide range of services to both residents living on campus and people in their own homes. From independent, assisted living and award-winning nursing home care to inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, home care and adult day care services, Wartburg’s continuing care approach has earned them a trusted reputation in Westchester. Wartburg also provides caregiver support at every stage, with an array of options to find the right level of care for the individual while also considering the needs of the whole family. Wartburg’s award-winning, internationally recognized Council for Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning program allows residents and those in the community to express themselves through art, song, theater, poetry and oral histories. The Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning initiative promotes increased emotional health and social engagement for seniors through a wide range of arts-based programs led by professional teaching artists trained to develop the creative capacity of older adult learners.

Wartburg is proudly celebrating their 150th anniversary in 2016. Wartburg has been ahead of their time since its inception in 1866, beginning as an orphan farm school in the wake of the Civil War and now serving area seniors through residential and at home healthcare services. Founded on the principal and belief that caring for the whole person is an essential component of a rich and happy life, nurturing body, mind and spirit have remained a key component of Wartburg’s mission as their unique array of programs have grown; expanding their community impact and honoring the lives of seniors during their century and a half of service.

Wartburg Website Homepage: www.wartburg.org

Wartburg Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/thewartburg

Wartburg Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/thewartburg

YouTube Page: www.youtube.com/wartburgny
Creative Aging Stories and Historical Archives: http://www.creativeagingstories.com

Photo 1 - L to R: David Gentner, Wartburg President and CEO; B. Smith; Dorothea Bell, EVP of HR, Wartburg; Angela Ciminello, Director of Development & Marketing, Wartburg; Dan Gasby.

Photo 2 - L to R: Cherish Thomas; Neil Klar, Board member of Alzheimer's Association Hudson Valley NY; Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas.

Photo 3 -L to R: David Gentner, Wartburg President and CEO; Rev. Carol Fryer, Wartburg; Larry Fair, Founder/CEO of The Future Society, Inc.; Kathleen Varda; Shonda Nesbitt.

Photo 4 -Angela Ciminello, Director of Development & Marketing, Wartburg and Dominic Carter, Reporter, RNN/FIOS 1 News and Master of Ceremonies for the 2016 Jazz In June Gala.