Special Events: Bocce for Bucks

Save the Date for Bocce '08!
April 6, 2008

Bocce for Bucks III - A Tremendous Success for TeleHomecare

More than160 guests joined the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan for its signature fundraising event on April 22, 2007, at the Palazzo di Bocce in Orion Township. Bocce for Bucks III, sponsored by Complete Infusion Services, raised $100,000, making it the highest grossing Bocce for Bucks to date.

The 2007 Bocce for Bucks Event Committee, co-chaired by Maggie Allesee and Sue Nine, worked diligently to make the event special and offered guests several new bonuses for their ticket purchases. In addition to the bocce tournament, Italian buffet dinner, and raffles, benefactor ticket holders received a private benefactor reception, sponsored by the Michigan Food and Beverage Association, on the evening of March 28, at Park West Gallery in Southfield. Reception guests enjoyed an array of wine and hors d’oeuvres as they strolled through spacious exhibition galleries of fine art. Lisa Hershberger, Park West Gallery sales manager, provided expert commentary on how to select and purchase the perfect piece of art or sculpture.

On event day, benefactor and patron ticket holders received professional bocce instruction from two 2006 U.S. World Championship Bocce players, Jose Botto and Jason Wisniewski. Guests were treated to and delighted by the traditional Italian folk songs sung by the Italian American Cultural Society’s Coro Italiano, founded by Luigi and Angela LaMarra.

Bocce for Bucks III also offered a silent auction featuring a wonderful selection of items including fine jewelry, entertainment packages, Italian-themed baskets, Detroit Tiger’s game tickets, spa and salon certificates, ground badges for the Buick Open, artwork and much, much more. Many thanks to the generous companies who provided donations to the auction including The Townsend Hotel, Park West Gallery, Yanke Designs Fine Jewelry, Detroit Red Wings, Carl’s Golfland, Pewabic Pottery, Schenden’s Spas and The Italian Dish.

VNA Board Member, Bob Allesee, better known as Bob Allison the host of local ’70s TV game show Bowling for Dollars, emceed the afternoon and called the final tournament in Bowling for Dollars style. Team General Motors earned first place. Team McGraw Wentworth placed second.

During the past three years, Bocce for Bucks has raised approximately $270,000 for home care and hospice services for the uninsured. Net proceeds from this year’s event benefit VNA’s life-saving TeleHomecare program, which blends remote monitoring technology with education to improve quality of life for patients with heart failure, diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

Plans are underway for next year’s Bocce for Bucks IV to be held at Palazzo di Bocce on Sunday, April 6, 2008. Volunteers for the event planning committee meet one afternoon each month in Bloomfield Hills. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or would like to receive sponsorship or advertising opportunities, please call (248) 967-9613.



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About the VNA of Southeast Michigan
Founded in 1898, VNA of Southeast Michigan is headquartered in Oak Park, Mich. The organization provides home health care and hospice services to 8,500 residents of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Livingston and Washtenaw counties. Annually VNA of Southeast Michigan provides more than $1 million in uncompensated care to the uninsured.