2015 Shining Lights honorees pictured at the reception for Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County. From left, seated: Jill Viggiano of LIFE St. Francis, Dr. Shannon Mason Executive Director of Mercer Street Friends. Standing, from left: Jane Latini ICGMC Executive Director, Judy Pesce of St. Mary’s Church, Dr. Sally Fullman and Kathy Lo Bue ICGMC Board Chair.
Local nonprofit Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County (ICGMC) is set to host its Eighth Annual Shining Lights Gala on Thursday, October 1, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This recognition event will honor those dedicated to supporting the mission of the Hamilton-based organization, which is to promote the independence, dignity and wellness of the homebound elderly and people with disabilities by matching them with caring and supportive volunteers who assist with the tasks of everyday life.
This year’s honorees are:
LIFE St. Francis, a service of St. Francis Medical Center, one of Central New Jersey’s most respected healthcare providers since 1874, is the first Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in New Jersey. Jill Viggiano, Vice President of Senior Services, has championed the program from its inception to present. LIFE provides and helps coordinate all medical care for elders through a wide range of healthcare services provided in their Center or at home, 365 days a year.
St. Mary’s Church in Bordentown, established in 1831 by Irish immigrants, presently ministers to 1,300 families. Among its 12 ministries which include prayer and worship, faith formation, community life, and Christian service and outreach, the volunteers of St. Mary’s “Open Hearts, Willing Hands” have provided nearly 7,000 hours of compassionate service to the elderly and disabled homebound since 2000 through their partnership with ICGMC.
Dr. Sally Fullman, Ph.D., a member of the Healthy Bones Advocacy Network and the National Osteoporosis Foundation since 2009, is an active Project Healthy Bones Peer Leader and Lead Coordinator. She has been a presence on Capitol Hill and in the community to raise awareness of the physical and economic impact of osteoporosis and to improve access to quality care, education, and prevention initiatives through her inspiring talks.
Dr. Shannon Mason, Ph.D. has served as the Executive Director of Mercer Street Friends since 2013. In addition to her work against the ravages of economic poverty, Dr. Mason battles spiritual poverty as the senior pastor of New and Living Way Ministries, in Trenton, NJ. As a psychotherapist, educator, researcher, and consultant, she has empowered people to make the journey out of poverty, and seeks in every way to be a “vessel”- pouring out into the lives of others what she has received.
In addition to spotlighting the hard work and dedication of the honorees, Shining Lights also serves at Interfaith Caregivers’ largest fundraiser that allows the organization to continue to provide free caregiving services to seniors and people with disabilities in the Mercer County region and offer programs like Project Healthy Bones in this community. Sponsors include Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC; Grand Bank, N.A.; Independence Home Care; Investors Bank; Stark & Stark; St. Gregory the Great Church; Wells Fargo; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Lo Bue; and an anonymous donor.
Tickets for the event are $75 which includes appetizers, service stations, beverages, cocktails, desserts and coffee/tea. Checks can be made payable to ICGMC and sent to ICGMC at 3635 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 16, Hamilton, New Jersey 08619.
For more information or phone reservations, call ICGMC at (609) 393-9922. Advanced arrangements can be made for table reservations. Sponsorship opportunities for this fundraiser are also available. Visit icgmc.org for more information about Interfaith Caregivers and the event.
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