22nd annual gala celebrates service

Community Caregivers will hold its 22nd annual gala on Nov. 12 at the Colonie Golf & Country Club.  This year’s theme is Celebrating Service; one of our two honorees served his country and the other serves her community.

To celebrate Veterans Day, Major General Harold “Harry” J. Greene will be honored in memoriam. A resident of Guilderland, he was killed on Aug. 5, 2014, in Afghanistan. At the time of his death, he was deputy commanding general of the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan.

General Greene was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal.

The Joseph A. Bosco Community Service Award will be presented to Judith Ann Mysliborski, M.D., for her many years of service, not only as a physician, but as a volunteer with many Capital Region organizations.

A resident of Voorheesville, Dr. Mysliborski has held several academic and consultant positions at Albany Medical College, Veterans Affairs Hospital, and Albany Medical Center. As a graduate of the University at Albany, Dr. Mysliborski is a former member of the board of directors of the University at Albany Foundation where she established The Mysliborski Women’s Golf Scholarship.

Greg Floyd, news anchor at WRGB Channel 6, will be the master of ceremonies for the evening’s program. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the presentation of awards. Dancing to the music of the Bluz House Rockers will begin at 9 p.m.

Sponsors of this year’s gala include Adirondack Environmental Services, Albany Medical Center, GCOM Software Inc., AARP, CDPHP, Glenmont Abbey Village, and the New York State Funeral Directors Association.

A silent auction will feature art, jewelry and other items made and donated by local artisans as well as gift cards to local businesses. New this year is a ”wine pull,” where each attendee will have the opportunity to choose a really great bottle of wine!

This year’s live auction includes such items as four one-day hopper passes to Disneyworld, a gourmet dinner with wine for six people at Chef Midge Bulgaro’s house, and an overnight stay at Dorset Inn in Vermont with breakfast plus $100 towards dinner.

The 2016 Gala Committee is chaired by Ellen Kaufman. She is joined by Eileen Bray, Midge McGraw Bulgaro, Michael Burgess, Ann Cantore, Richard Jung, Petra Malitz, Larry Miller, Tanette Nguyen-McCarty, Mary Neumann, Edna Mae Reilly, Arnie and Judy Rothstein, Mary Ann Anglin Singleton, and Paul F. Twardy.

The gala is one of two annual fundraising events held by Community Caregivers. All proceeds support its many programs and services to caregivers and their families. For more information, please call Community Caregivers office at (518) 456-2898. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Community Caregivers Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides non-medical services including transportation and caregiver support at no charge to residents of Guilderland, Bethlehem, Altamont, New Scotland, Berne, Knox and the city of Albany through a strong volunteer pool of dedicated individuals with a desire to assist their neighbors. Our funding is derived in part from the Albany County Department for Aging, the New York State Office for the Aging, and the United States Administration on Aging. To find out more about our services, as well as volunteer opportunities, please visit www.communitycaregivers.org or call us at the phone number above.

Editor’s note: Linda Miller is the Outreach and Education coordinator for Community Caregivers.