UM Chester River Health Foundation’s “Shoot for the Stars” Casino Night fundraiser on April 9 at the Garfield Center for the Arts netted $12,500 in proceeds to benefit University of Maryland Shore Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Chestertown, reported Maryann Ruehrmund, executive director of the Foundation.
“It was a very enjoyable and successful evening made possible by the support of many volunteers and the generous donations of our friends in the community,” says Ruehrmund.
Fun at the roulette table: Celeste Seitz, Donna Saunders, Brenda Rocconi-Gallegos, Chester River Health Foundation Board members Sandra Bjork and Carl Gallegos, and Max Ruehrmund.
Music was provided by “Daddy O! Does Doo Whop” (local attorney Dan Saunders), who performed music from the golden age of rock and roll. A host of celebrity “croupiers” — including hospital staff and community medical providers — kept the action going at the tables so that guests had the opportunity to win prizes as well as to keep themselves entertained.
At the close of the evening, guests cashed in their chips. Linda Burleson was the High Roller with more than $421,000 in chips, which won her the one-week luxurious vacation in Mexico. Bonnie Pisapia, who works at UM Shore Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, won $560 in the 50/50 raffle. Sigrid Whaley, Foundation Board member, won the long weekend in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, DC. Sheriff John Price won Orioles tickets and Wayne Benjamin, MD, won the Divine Wine Basket.
According to Stu Seitz, director of UM Shore Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Chestertown and master of ceremonies for Shoot for the Stars, the event is an important one for the Center, its staff and its patients and their families, and also for people in the community who appreciate the Center’s reputation for quality care. “We are really grateful for the time, effort and dollars that so many people contributed to this fun and worthwhile occasion,” said Seitz. “The proceeds will help us fund priority needs that enhance our facility and the care we provide for our patients.”
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