Mercy Ball raises $84K in Rockville Centre

The 74th annual Mercy Ball, held in early December, raised upwards of $84,000 for Mercy Medical Center, an increase of more than 30 percent from the previous year. More than 400 people attended the glittering black-tie event sponsored by the Friends of Mercy, the 76-year-old organization of men who volunteer their time and efforts to support projects that advance the medical and surgical care provided to Mercy’s patients.

Proceeds from the event, chaired by Christopher Kearns of Rockville Centre, will support the acquisition of new state-of-the-art diagnostic cardiology equipment. In the past five years, the Friends have raised more than $1.25 million to support hospital facilities.

In ceremonies that included Most Reverend Paul Walsh, DD, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre, Dr. Gregory Zito of Garden City, the hospital’s Director of Surgery received the Theodore Roosevelt Award For Outstanding Service. The honor is presented by the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council to an individual contributing to the development of Long Island’s community hospitals in the spirit of the renowned former president and Long Island resident’s lifelong devotion to public service.

The Sister Mary Nadine Casey, CIJ, Award was presented to Eileen Obanhein of Lynbrook, in recognition of her many years of service in the respiratory services department. The award honors a member of the Mercy family who best personifies the values of the Medical Center and the Congregation of the Infant Jesus whose members founded the hospital nearly a century ago.

Donald Regan of Rockville Centre, a long-time member of The Friends of Mercy Board of Sponsors, received The Bishop John R. McGann Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented to a distinguished individual dedicated to volunteering time and effort in support of the Medical Center.

Continuing a tradition dating back to World War II, the Mercy Honor Guard, comprised of high school students, escorted the Grand March of dignitaries into the ballroom and its members were presented to the Bishop.

In addition to the Mercy Ball, the group sponsors a black-tie St. Patrick’s Dinner set for March 10, and a Golf Outing to be held this year on July 25.