- Details
- Category: Past Issues
Smiling Fund-raisers
Left to right: Event chair, Paula Schimmel; actor Brian Dennehy; event committee member and owner of Greystone Farm, Sue Vincent; event chair, June Schoppe at the 5th Annual Twilight in the Country. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM --- Day Kimball Healthcare’s 5th Annual Twilight in the Country event raised more than $33,000 to be equally distributed between Day Kimball HomeCare, Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut and Day Kimball HomeMakers. That brings the five-year event total to over $133,000, all of which is being used to assist local individuals and families needing services from these three significant organizations.
Nearly 200 guests strolled Greystone Farm in Thompson while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and wine, and listening to the Tim Peck duo. The use of the historic farm is generously donated and hosted each year by owners Robert and Susan Vincent. Following the stroll, guests were ushered to their seats for a live melodic performance by the American Band. A highlight of the evening was when special guest and esteemed actor Brian Dennehy gave a dramatic reading of John Adams’ letter to Abigail Adams accompanied by the American Band.
New this year was the Revolutionary War Encampment set up by the Connecticut 6th Regiment, a revolutionary war group that reenacts everything as accurately as possible from the 18th century. The Regiment set up camp and cooked over fire, cleaned and fired their muskets while their “surgeon” showed off medical instruments and discussed practices of the time period.
Pat Hedenberg, Day Kimball Healthcare’s event manager, said, “This year’s Twilight in the Country was wildly successful and full of new surprises. I’m continuously impressed by the amount of dedication and commitment the community offers in support of Day Kimball HomeCare, Day Kimball HomeMakers, and Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut. Having Brian Dennehy included in the program and the revolutionary war encampment really added a new sense of excitement to the evening.”
Due to generous local business donations, a raffle was held in the hospital prior to the event and a silent auction was held at the event. Proceeds of both also contributed to the funds raised for the three organizations.
Day Kimball HomeCare, Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut and Day Kimball HomeMakers offer skilled in-home healthcare, personal support services and compassionate end-of-life care for patients and their families. Last year alone, these organizations served nearly 40,000 community members within Day Kimball Healthcare’s 13-town service area.