Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Talent Showcase will give children the Gift of Life

Tickets on sale now at www.giftoflifetalentshowcase.eventbrite.com

Saturday, May 7, promises to be very special. The evening will provide an opportunity for members of our community to help save the lives of approximately 25 children and to have a lot of fun doing so.

The Rotary and Interact Clubs of the Caldwells have joined forces with a group of talented local performing artists to produce The Gift of Life Talent Showcase at James Caldwell High School’s Center for Performing Arts. All money raised from this showcase will be used to sponsor a pediatric cardiology medical mission that will provide surgeries to children with life-threatening heart defects who would otherwise have no access to the medical care they need to survive. The surgical team will also provide training to local physicians so that some cardiac procedures will be available to children who need them after the mission has ended.

The Gift of Life program, made possible through the fundraising efforts of Rotary clubs worldwide, is credited with saving almost 12,000 children’s lives since its inception in 1974. In 2007, The Rotary Club of the Caldwells sponsored a mission to the Dominican Republic during which surgeons performed 18 successful cardiac procedures. The club has also sponsored children to come to the United States for surgery. These experiences have inspired club members to raise even more money for a larger mission. Rotary and Interact hope to raise $40,000.

“We have a fabulous group of performers donating their time for this event,” said Director and Rotarian Penny Potenz Winship. “It will be a great show!” The program includes a wide range of performances by classical, popular, gospel and rock musicians, as well as dance, magic and a few surprises mixed in. All Rotarians, Interact and community members working on the showcase are volunteering their time and talent so that all proceeds can go toward the mission.

Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended, but remaining tickets will be available at the door beginning at 6pm on May 7. The show will begin promptly at 7. Tickets are $10 and $7 for students. Children 5 or under will be admitted free of charge, but must have a ticket. Purchase tickets on line today at www.giftoflifetalentshowcase.eventbrite.com. Those wishing to make a tax deductible donation to support this Gift of Life mission may also do so at this website or by mailing a check payable to Rotary Club of the Caldwells/GoL, PO Box 98 Caldwell, NJ 07006. Every dollar will help!

Businesses or organizations wishing to help make this surgical mission possible may do so by becoming sponsors or by purchasing an ad in The Showcase Journal. Please contact Dianne Woitkowski at 973-896-7236 or Christy Berg at 973-600-9607 for additional information.

To learn more about The Rotary Club of the Caldwells and its commitment to service both locally and internationally, please visit http://www.caldwellrotary.org. To inquire about membership, please call President Tom Cocchiola at 973-226-2344.

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