Mercy Haven’s 28th Annual Cocktail Party – A Warm Celebration
Bay Shore, NY, November 3, 2013 – A beautiful November day greeted all in attendance for Mercy Haven’s 28th Annual Cocktail Party; a striking difference to last year’s celebration in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy! On November 3, 2013, nearly 160 longtime friends as well as new supporters gathered at Southward Ho Country Club in Bay Shore to share in the warmth of the spirit of celebration and future achievement.
Our fabulous committee, co-chaired by Bridget Norman and Pat Spiegel, worked tirelessly to transform the space into a festive explosion of fall colors, from the mums for sale at the front entrance to the decor that adorned the dining and raffle tables. The end results of all the hard work were apparent in both the raffle ticket sales and enthusiastic feedback from the guests.
The program for the evening began with Sister Pat introducing Tom A., a 5-year resident of Mercy Haven, who bravely stood before the guests and told the story of his life before Mercy Haven. “I stayed in shelters for about 3 years, but I didn’t want to abide with certain regulations,” he said. “I disliked sharing a room with 10 or more people, I disliked having to turn off the television at a certain time, and especially disliked having a curfew of 9 pm. …I desperately sought out permanent housing.” With help from a program, Tom was instructed in the application process for permanent housing, for which he is grateful. He finished his courageous speech by thanking those who have cared for him these past 5 years. “Mercy Haven has helped me improve my living situation by providing me with a sense of security. I appreciate everything Mercy Haven has provided me and my family.” We wish Tom, his fiancé and baby daughter a bright and fulfilling future.
Sister Pat continued by reciting a quote by Henry David Thoreau, “Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?” Profound, yet inspiring. She spoke of miracles that are experienced daily, from welcoming new residents who have lived for months in shelters, to observing staff tend to the needs of residents who are haunted by the complexities of their lives. From acquiring funding to build new homes ($5 million for 16 apartments to house 14 singles and 2 families, to be exact) to class actions our legal advocacy filed and successfully defended because of the courage of our participants to make public their issues. “These are measurable outcomes,” she stated, “but what Tom shared with us is the immeasurable effects your generosity reaps over and over again – ones that are transformative and last the lifetime of the participant,” Sister Pat stated, thanking the standing-room only crowd. “Your presence today bespeaks of your willingness to look through the eyes of another and to know life differently. The challenge for me, and I would assume you as well, is to keep my eyes and heart open to the other and to have my life changed by that experience.”
The evening would not have been possible without our Event Sponsors, Empire National Bank and the McNamara Family and the glorious prizes donated from local vendors and committee members including Broadway.com gift cards, a Kindle Fire, a 40″ Samsung Smart TV, a beautiful necklace from Gemaginations, a weekend retreat in Cutchogue, as well as so many others. Through the generosity of our sponsors, event volunteers and guest speakers the event will be fondly remembered. We look forward to celebrating our 29th Anniversary with our many friends, new and old, and sharing our stories of courage and hope.
