All Care Hospice wine tasting & auction a smashing success

Swampscott Reporter / December 15, 2009

Swampscott — Now in its eighth year, All Care’s “A Matter of Taste” was a success Nov. 12, with more than 300 attendees raising a record-breaking $90,000 to help support and care for patients with life-limiting illness in the All Care Hospice program.

Guest auctioneer Billy Costa, of KISS 108 and NECN TV Diner fame, enthusiastically engaged bidders with such luxury items as a seven-day Holland America cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean, a Hall of Fame bat autographed by Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski, and an opportunity for eight people to attend and dine at the taping of Billy Costa’s “Cooking with Costa” show.

Trish Shamsuddin of Hamilton was the lucky winner of the “Getaway of a Lifetime Raffle” for a week at Trinity Villa/Tryall Club in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Shawn Potter, All Care President & CEO, notes, “With the current economic climate as it is, we are humbled by this year’s outstanding success and by the generosity of our bidders, donors and sponsors who work tirelessly in support of our mission to keep compassionate hospice care available to those in need.”

Funds raised will also provide support to families of our patients through its bereavement and volunteer programs and weekly support groups held every Tuesday at the All Care Hospice Center for Grief and Loss at 583 Chestnut St. in Lynn.

Salem Five Charitable Foundation again held the distinguished leadership role for the eighth consecutive year as the Benefactor & Event Underwriter. The Partners in Caring included: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Byram Healthcare, Eastern Bank/Eastern Insurance Group, Farquhar & Black Insurance Agencies, Ronald T. Plotka D.D.S., PC, Prime Motor Group, William A. Berry & Son, Inc./The Berry Fund, Willow Laboratories and Windsor Place/Woodbriar of Wilmington.

“Our thanks are also extended to our numerous Partners in Healing, Partners in Compassion, Friends and All Care employees for their generous contributions,” Potter said.

Founded in 1911, All Care VNA is a Medicare/Medicaid-certified agency offering services of nurses, home health aides, specialists in geriatrics, oncology, diabetes, physical, occupational, and speech therapies as well as palliative care.

All Care Hospice provides the highest quality medical and emotional care for those with life-limiting illnesses, as well as respite care, spiritual support, and bereavement counseling for families. All Care also offers All Care Resources, its private pay division for flexible in-home services. All Care employs nearly 600 people among its Lynn headquarters and Wakefield, North Andover and Charlestown satellite offices. For more information, call 1-800-287-2454.