The RVNAhealth team, together with community members and supporters, gathered last night at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury for the Annual Autumn Dinner, celebrating for the first time as a tri-agency after a successful merger with Bethel and New Milford Visiting Nurse Associations.
On the heels of navigating a global pandemic, administering over 16,000 COVID-19 vaccinations and caring for hundreds who battled the virus, the truly heroic RVNAhealth team had a lot to celebrate and reflect upon.
The elegant evening began outdoors on the patio with Hors d'oeuvres, a Bourbon Tasting (sponsored by Ancona’s Wines and Liquors) and live music by Nick DePuy. Guests had a chance to reconnect with friends and community members, many of whom hadn’t been to an in-person gathering in over a year.
Inside the Amber Room, a farm-to-table dinner was served and the event theme “Growing Stronger Together” was brought to life by impact speaker, Adam Broderick, owner of the Adam Broderick Salon & Spa in Ridgefield and Southbury.
As a longtime business owner in the community, Broderick knew of RVNAhealth and began using some of the organization’s services ten years ago. Broderick explained that both he and his husband Pete turned to RVNAhealth for vaccinations so they could travel overseas, and relied upon the agency when Pete’s parents needed support.
RVNAhealth’s full breadth of services and seamless Continuum of Care became apparent to Broderick when the global pandemic rocked our community and the world.
Adam Broderick credits RVNAhealth for being a port in the storm. Not only did he turn to RVNAhealth as he implemented health protocols at the Salon, but after receiving a call that Broderick had been in close contact with a COVID positive person at his gym, RVNAhealth became a source of survival and healing.
Pete was hit harder than Broderick. He had breathing complications and a high fever. Broderick called RVNAhealth and a short time later, a selfless nurse was there to care for Pete. The next few days were challenging, but thanks to the heroic care of RVNAhealth, Pete was able to remain home to heal and recover.
The Autumn Dinner is RVNA’s largest, most important fundraising event of the year. Funds raised support home health care services for the uninsured and underinsured, well child clinics and community wellness programs.
Hats off to Suzanne and Shane Casey, co-chairs of the Autumn Dinner, and to all who made last night memorable including Theresa Santoro, RVNA Director of Philanthropy, MJ Heller, RVNA Chair of the Board of Directors, Eileen Walker, and the entire RVNAealth team.