The Wesley Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Wesley Community in Saratoga Springs, will host its annual gala at the Lodge at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday, May 11 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Proceeds from this year’s Party Under the Palms will support Wesley Health Care Center’s Life Enrichment Program, which provides meaningful social and therapeutic activities for Wesley residents.
Presented by The Adirondack Trust Company, Amsure and Saratoga Casino Hotel, this year’s event will feature dinner and live music by Jukebox Rebellion USA.
Auction items will include a six-person reserved picnic table, with admission, for the sold-out Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8 as well as for Friday, June 7, courtesy of The New York Racing Association, Inc. The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be held at historic Saratoga Race Course for the first time ever.
“Providing exceptional care for our community’s seniors is at the forefront of everything we do, and as we embark upon our sixth decade The Wesley Community remains true to that mission. We are excited to celebrate our rich history and bright future with this annual gala event,” said The Wesley Community CEO J. Brian Nealon. “The Party Under the Palms will raise critical funding 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 Party Under the Palms are $175 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 Party Under the Palms gala event and recognize how fortunate we are to have Wesley in our community to provide a continuum of care for seniors,” said Colleen Carlson. “My mother first moved to Wesley as an independent resident and as she aged and her needs grew, she was able to remain on campus. She often referred to staff as compassionate, kind and caring and for that I will forever be grateful to The Wesley Community.”
“Giving seniors the opportunity to age in place in a setting that offers a high caliber of care and services is what Wesley does on a daily basis,” said Skip Carlson. “It is vital that we offer ongoing support to keep these essential services running, for those who utilize them now and for those who will need them in the future.”
“Adirondack Trust is proud to act as the Presenting Sponsor for the Party Under the Palms gala,” said Adirondack Trust President and CEO Charles V. Wait, Jr. “We are also pleased to be a part of the continued efforts to raise funds to support Wesley Health Care Center’s Life Enrichment Program, which helps residents continue to pursue their passions through customized therapeutic activities.”
Major gala sponsors are Angerame Architects, The Fort Miller Group, Inc., Marshall & Sterling Insurance, and Ray Martin/Crescent Hill Partners, LLC.
Additional sponsors include: AIM Services, Inc.; Bonacio Construction, Inc.; Bond, Schoeneck & King Attorneys PLLC; Borgos Marketing & Events, Inc.; Capital Bank; CDPHP; Cudney’s Cleaners; D.A. Collins Companies; Deborah Damm O’Brien; Ed Lewi Associates; Eklego Workforce Solutions; Freed Maxick; Glens Falls Hospital; Jeffrey and Susan Halstead; Jersen Construction Group; Key Bank; Kodiak Construction, Inc.; Luther Forest Wealth Advisors, LLP; MLB Construction Services; Munter Enterprises, Inc.; N. Fox Jewelers; Olde Bryan Inn; Polyset; Saratoga Arms Hotel; Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company; Saratoga Photobooth Company; Select Rehabilitation; and Sidekick Creative, among others.
The 2024 gala Honorary Committee members include Mrs. Shelly Amato; Katie Lahoff and Mac Noonan; King Wealth Management Group; Steve and Jane Mastaitis; and Turf Hotels, among others. Gala Committee members are Mark Bardack, Fran Dingeman, Geriann Eddy, Sharon Trzaskos, Tracey Wardwell and MacKenzie Zarzycki.
Silent Auction donors include: Adirondack Winery; BarkBox; Card My Yard; Daleys Adventure Boat Tours; Dance Fire Studio; miSci (Museum of Innovation & Science); Northeastern Fine Jewelry; Oriental Trading; Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio, and more.
About The Wesley Community
The Wesley Community is a 37-acre, not-for-profit agency in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., which serves the needs of the elderly, as well as active seniors, adults and pediatrics. Sponsored by United Methodist Health and Housing, Inc., The Wesley Community’s unique continuum of care community provides independent and assisted living for seniors, affordable independent senior housing, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care, as well as home care services and outpatient therapies available for people of all ages.