Spring is in full bloom as The Wesley Foundation — the philanthropic arm of The Wesley Community in Saratoga Springs – turns its focus to warmer, sunnier days by laying the groundwork for its annual gala fundraiser. This year’s event is titled ‘La Dolce Vita,’ which translates to ‘The Good Life.’”
A fitting salute to summer, the gala is slated for Saturday, June 21 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Lodge at Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs. Proceeds will support the purchase of an Accessible Bus for residents residing at the Wesley Health Care Center.
Presented by The Adirondack Trust Company and Amsure, the gala will feature dinner, complimentary beverages, dancing, live music by Jukebox Rebellion USA, a silent auction and more.
A few highlights of many of the silent auction items include a 2003 Syracuse Orange men’s basketball jointly signed by Hall-of-Fame Coach Jim Boeheim and current Siena Men’s Basketball Head Coach Gerry McNamara who helped lead Syracuse to a national title that year; and a five-person Clubhouse Box available for A Day at the Races during the 2025 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course.
“The Wesley Community is committed to providing exceptional care for our seniors and has remained true to that mission for more than five decades. We are excited to celebrate our rich history and bright future with this annual gala event,” said The Wesley Community CEO J. Brian Nealon. “La Dolce Vita will raise critical funding for a new and much-needed Accessible Bus for our residents at Wesley Health Care Center and allow us to continue to provide the highest standard of services to our residents and their families now and in the future.”
Tickets for La Doce Vita are $200 per person or $350 per couple. Reservations are required and can be made at www.thewesleycommunity.org/gala. The Lodge at Saratoga Casino Hotel is located at 1 Nelson Ave., Saratoga Springs.
Founded in 1972, The Wesley Community was established as a long-term senior care community and has steadily grown into a continuum-of-care campus featuring independent and assisted living apartments, compassionate skilled nursing and memory-care services.
The Honorary Chairs of the event are Skip and Colleen Carlson, who have been long-time supporters of The Wesley Community.
“It is a privilege to chair the La Dolce Vita gala event and underscore how fortunate we are to have Wesley in our community to provide a continuum of care for seniors,” said Colleen Carlson. “My family has had first-hand experience with the compassionate care and kindness of the staff and comfort that my mother received while aging in place on campus. I will forever be grateful to The Wesley Community for that and for the peace of mind it provided to us. It is vital we offer ongoing support to keep these essential services available to seniors now and in the future.”
“Adirondack Trust is proud to serve as a Presenting Sponsor for the La Dolce Vita gala,” said Adirondack Trust President and CEO Charles V. Wait, Jr. “We are also pleased to be a part of the effort to raise funds for an accessible bus for seniors residing at Wesley Health Care Center to help remove the physical challenges they may face traveling to and from appointments and outings.”
Major gala sponsors include:
Amalfi Sponsors — FMG Associate Owned; and Saratoga Casino and Hotel.
Naples Sponsors — Business for Good Foundation, CDPHP, Graham Company, KeyBank and Stewart’s Shops.
Positano Sponsors — AIM Services, Inc., Arrow Bank, Bond, Schoeneck & King Attorneys, D.A. Collins Companies, Eklego Workforce Solutions, Freed Maxick; John and Claudine Hedbring, Kodiak Construction, Lemery Greisler, LLC., Brian and Sandy Nealon, The Robert and Lisa Moser Family Foundation, Select Rehabilitation, Unidine, Charles and Candace Wait.
Salerno Sponsors – A.C. Riley, ADNET Technologies, Angerme Architects, Cudney’s Launderers & Dry Cleaners, Curtis Lumber, DeCrescente Distribution Company, Inc., Harvey and Cassie Fox, Tim and Lisa Higgins, Mr. John Irving, Katie Lahoff and MacEanraic Noonan, Dr. and Mrs. Ali Mirza, OneGroup, Polyset, Ruth Pouliot, Rain or Shine Tent Company, Sidekick Creative, Kevin and Mary Tully.
Sorrento Sponsors – Mylea and Buzz Aldrich, Shelly Amato, Mark and Brooke Bardack Ed Lewi Associates, Beth-Brucker-Kane, Capital Bank, Skip and Colleen Carlson, Will Fowler, Brian and Johnson and Susan Kossmiersky, Jeff and Susan Halstead, Jay and Georgia Horner, Rev. and Mrs. William Lasher, Thomas and Eileen Nash, Deborah and Paul O’Brien, Jennifer Runkle and Adam McNeill, Saratoga Arms Hotel, Saratoga Bridges, Saratoga Hospital, Seely Office Systems, The Courtyard Marriott and Excelsior Springs, The Saratoga Senior Center, Amy Michaud-Wells and Edward Wells, Charles and Mary Lou Wheeler, W.J. Morris Excavating, Inc., Wilcenski & Pleat PLLC, William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home.
Honorary Committee – Antonucci Foods, Mrs. Carol Borthwick, Greg Dixon, Lindley Hickox, Victoria Jupin, King Wealth Management Group, Judy LeCain, Andrew Pleat, Tara Anne Pleat, Dan Roohan, Liz Rovers, Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association, Joan M. Taylor and William B. Wilmont, Michael and Linda Toohey, Sharon Trazskos, Turf Hotels, MacKenzie Zarzycki.
2025 Gala Committee members are Mark Bardack, Lawrence Barisic, Geriann Eddy, Sharon Trzaskos, Tracey Wardwell and MacKenzie Zarzycki.
The Times Union is this year’s media sponsor.
Decor by Fine Affairs.
Silent Auction donors include: Airway Meadows Golf Club, Alpine Sport Shop, Artisanal Brew Works, BarkBox, Dizzy Chicken Barbecue, Druthers Brewing Company, DZ Restaurants, Embassy Suites by Hilton Saratoga Springs, Esthetiques Skin Care Clinique & Day Spa, Glens Falls Symphony, Healthy Living, Herzog Law Firm, P.C., Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs, Impressions of Saratoga and many more.
For more information about the gala or The Wesley Community visit www.thewesleycommunity.org/.