Special Events: Bocce for Bucks

Everyone Had A Ball at Bocce for Bucks IV

More than 145 guests enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon at VNA of Southeast Michigan's Bocce for Bucks IV signature fundraiser.

The acoustic stylings of the Italian American Cultural Society’s Coro Italiano brought the sounds of Italy courtside as they sung popular folk songs. Delicious Italian cuisine, plenty of bocce play and a silent auction rounded out the afternoon.

Proceeds from this year’s event benefited VNA’s life-saving TeleHomecare Program which blends technology, telephone support, daily education and in-person nursing visits into a winning combination that keeps our heart failure patients healthier between office visits and many times avoids rehospitalization.

An hour prior to the event start, benefactor and patron guests received great one-on-one professional instruction from two U.S. Bocce champs – Jason Wisniewski and Jose Botto. Many guests said they enjoyed practicing the tips before starting the tournament.

During the afternoon, a large birthday cake was rolled out, complete with 110 lit birthday candles, to commemorate VNA’s 110th Anniversary in 2008.

In between bocce games, guests also tried their hand at Italian trivia. Scott Paul Frush, local author of the book, “Ultimate Italian Trivia”, provided the questions and answers to more than 100 interesting facts.

Guests enjoyed bidding on a wide range of donated items in the silent auction, including an autographed Reggie Jackson baseball, a white mink and leather jacket, Cuisine du Jour Culinary Classes, a Chateau Chantal VIP winery tour and a 22 ft. Pontoon boat rental on Lake Orion for 10 people.

Team “Pillars di Ivory” won first place in the tournament. Lanny and Carolyn McLeod, representing sponsor McGraw Wentworth, and Beth Schollenberger, were on the first place team. Team “Allesee 1” took second place and included Bob and Maggie Allesee of Bloomfield Hills with their guests Patricia and Steve Carlson of Oakland, Mich.

Bocce for Bucks IV raised more than $70,000. Thank you to everyone who supported VNA’s signature fundraiser! We look forward to seeing you on the bocce courts next year!

For information on how you can become part of this exciting event, please contact Nancy Kort, VNA’s Event Coordinator at 248-967-9613 or nkort@vna.org.