Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s 15th Annual Gala

RECORD-BREAKING $1.2 MILLION RAISED AT NEWTON-WELLESLEY HOSPITAL’S 15TH ANNUAL GALA

“Helping Kids Spread their Wings” Event Benefited Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Service

Over 750 guests gathered on Saturday, May 10th at the Westin Copley Place, Boston for Newton-Wellesley Hospital (NWH) Charitable Foundation’s 15th Annual Gala, “Helping Kids Spread their Wings,” raising a record-breaking $1.2 Million to benefit the Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service.

The Gala Chairs were Sinesia and Bill Karol of Westwood. The evening, designed by Rafanelli Events, included cocktails and a silent auction, a live auction, fund-a-need appeal, dinner and dancing. Highlights of the evening included the surpise entrance by the three Red Sox World Championship trophies and a special performance by Michelle Chamuel, finalist in The Voice, who was born at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and premiered her latest single, The Lottery, to a spellbound crowd.

“The $1.2 Million raised by our Gala has enabled us to complete the goal of building a $5+ Million Endowment to help protect the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service from budgetary pressures,” said Joan Archer, president, NWH Charitable Foundation. “We are so grateful to everyone who has supported this program and especially to those who joined with us on May 10th. It was a very special evening to help take care of our kids when they need it the most.”

“Children and families are suffering in our community, but psychiatric illnesses are always treatable, frequently curable, and often preventable,” said Dr. Susan Swick, the Michael S. Jellinek, MD, Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. “As other institutions have cut back or eliminated services, Newton-Wellesley Hospital has, in fact, been able to expand its program with our community’s generous philanthropic support. Families no longer need to suffer alone or in silence.”

Gala Committee
In addition to Gala Chair Sinesia and Bill Karol, an enthusiastic Committee actively gathered auction items, sold tables, and spread the word about the event. The Committee included: Joan & Bob Barrett (Wellesley), Nancy & Mark Belsky, MD (Waban), Stephanie & Mark Blumenthal, MD (Natick), Tracey & John Cannistraro (Wellesley), Cindy Crofts-Wisch & Jeff Wisch, MD (Wellesley), Susan and Joseph D’Alton, MD (Newton), Michelle & Tim Foster, MD (Wellesley), Lisa & Al Hanmer, MD (Dover), Jennifer & Barnett Helzberg (Wellesley), Mary Jo & Brian Hogan (Westwood), Kim Mai & Bob Berry (Weston), Margaret & Brian McNeill (Wellesley), Vana Melkonian, MD (Waltham), Barbara Merrigan (Auburndale), Maristela & John Rapo (Dover), Laura & Geoff Rehnert (Weston), Rosie Reyes & Ed Mank (Natick), Karen & Frank Segall (Weston), Lori & Eric Slifka (Wellesley), and Rachel & Martin Zinny (Wellesley).