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Committed Volunteers Create “A Venetian Affair”

CAST Committee Sandy Parker, Pat Hahn, Sharon Edwards, Karen Bogart, Claudia Tejada, Nicki Mebane, Donna Barksdale, and Milli ChristnerWhat’s better than hosting a great party? Hosting a great party for a great cause. A small, committed group of women helped produce Hospice Austin’s Vino y Virtuosos party for many years. Now the group has banded back together and is hosting a new event: A Venetian Affair.

The Venetian-style party will be held on Thursday, June 4th at the Caswell House on West Avenue from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. Guests will enjoy musicians, magicians, and minstrels strolling through the various rooms of the beautiful old house and experience the revelry of this tradition that stems from the 18th century in Venice. Food, wine, and a silent auction will add to the fun. All proceeds will benefit Hospice Austin.

Musicians include singer/songwriters Deann Rene, Kris Brown, and Rodney Park; pianist Ron D’Argenio; and opera singer Angel Austin.

The women who organized this party have been devoting their time to Hospice Austin for many years, so it seemed only natural to name their group CAST: Caring and Sharing Talents for Hospice Austin. Many of them came to Hospice Austin through loved ones who were on our service or as members of a Hospice Austin bereavement group, or both.

Sharon Edwards, chair of CAST, got involved with Hospice Austin after her husband died of a brief illness. Grief caused her to stop eating and she ended up in the hospital. Her doctor was blunt: if she didn’t get help, she would die, too.

She began attending a Hospice Austin support group. Meeting others who really understood what she was going through helped. In fact, one of those members, Pat Hahn, has become a good friend and is also a member of CAST. Other CAST members include Karen Bogart, Milli Christner, Nicki Mebane, Sandy Parker, and Claudia Tejada.

“There’s nothing new about our group or the mission to help Hospice Austin,” said Sharon. “We want to help ensure that anyone who needs its services will never be turned away because of their inability to pay. Everyone deserves the opportunity to die well – to be comfortable, at peace, and surrounded by loved ones.”

For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, please visit http://castforhospiceaust.wix.com/event.

 

Melinda Marble

Melinda Marble
Communications Coordinator

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