On Saturday, October 10th, VNA California hosted their Annual “A Night at The Museum” Gala honoring local philanthropist, Joan Sparkman. This year marks the 29th Annual Presentation of the John L. Treadway Loving Care Award. It is VNA California’s way of recognizing some very special people for the extraordinary care they have given to a family member, friend, or in Joan’s case, her generous philanthropic and civic efforts she’s made in order to make the community a better place. Brad Neet, CEO, Southwest Healthcare System provided a video tribute congratulating Joan. State Senator Jeff Stone provided a heart-felt tribute to Joan and then present her with this well-deserved honor. During Joan’s speech, she thanked the audience for attending, VNA’s President and CEO, Michael A. Rusnak for the Award with her final comments being “The best part of the event was knowing that the proceeds were going to help our veterans.”
Event co-chairs Cynde Rusnak and Art Silva, Tanya DelGado and Monica Fahner, Event Committee Members along with John Lambert, Executive Director of Development for VNA California helped make this Gala one to remember. Dan Ball served as Emcee and Auctioneer for the evening. Proceeds from the evening will help fund our Charity Care Program which includes a large contingent of Veterans in Riverside County.
Special Guests included Johnny Cannizzaro (“Jersey Boys”), Major Bruce Cripe (Retired), Sharif Dean (“Food Network Star”), Shandi Finnessey (“Miss USA© 2004), District Attorney Mike Hestrin, Major General Claude Reinke (Retired). Singers Branden James (“America’s Got Talent”) and Alison Ward (“Divas 3”) ended the evening with their beautiful voices and wonderful songs.
Generous support for this event was provided by: Abbott Vascular, Inc., Alliant Employee Benefits, Inc., Best Best & Krieger, Burgess Moving and Storage, California State University San Marcos, Canon, Continental Development East, Inc., Epic Development, LLC, Forcura, LLC, Garces Restaurant Group, Horizon Oxygen and Medical Equipment, Johnson Machinery, Liberty Ambulance, Monday Morning Group/Riverside Chamber of Commerce, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Paradise Chevrolet/GMC, Premier Medical Transport, Monday Morning Group/Riverside Chamber of Commerce, Security Bank of California, Southwest Healthcare System, Temecula Valley Hospital and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Donors to the on-site Live and Silent Auction include: Agua Caliente Casino & Resort, Alliant Employee Benefits, Alper Services, LLC, Aquarius Casino Resort, BNP Paribas Open, Bravo Media and Andy Cohen, Career Challenge Golf Tournament, Desert Classic Charities, Elite Island Resorts, Inc., Fox Theatre, G2G Collection, Inc., Harrah’s Laughlin Nevada, Magic Mountain, Meeting Magic, Mission Inn Foundation, PMT/Premier, Rutherford Ranch Vineyards, San Diego Zoo Global, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Southwest Airlines, Tahoe Beach & Ski Club, The Body Deli, Inc., The Los Angeles Dodgers, The Saguaro Hotel and Total Wine and More.
About VNA California
VNA California has been providing skilled nursing for home health, rehabilitative, palliative and hospice patients in their homes or places of residence since 1931. One of the oldest home health care providers in Southern California, VNA California supports 21,000+ patients each year with 250,000+ home health visits and 185,000 days of hospice care. As the only community-based non-profit to offer a complete continuum of home care, VNA California provides services throughout Riverside, San Bernardino, East Los Angeles and North San Diego Counties. For more information or to volunteer, visit VNACalifornia.org.
For more information about the event, please contact: Mr. Art Silva, Event Co-Chair, “One Enchanted Evening” Gala Direct Dial: (760) 773-6260 or E-Mail Art.Silva@VNACalifornia.org