Interfaith Caregivers’ “Evening of Amore” Raises Over $5,500

FLEMINGTON, N.J. - July 30, 2014 - PRLog -- After being forced to relocate to a larger venue to accommodate the crowd, Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County’s recent “Evening of Amore” provided more than 250 Mercer County community members with an Italian dinner experience highlighted by a special vocal performance that featured opera, jazz, Italian folk and Broadway songs. Part of ICGMC’s 20^th anniversary celebration, the July 16^th event raised over $5,500 for the nonprofit, which provides free caregiving services to homebound elderly and disabled people.

Soprano Joanna Latini, an ICGMC volunteer and a senior vocal performance major at Carnegie Mellon University, impressed attendees with her musical ability, as did her accompanists Michael Bernabe and Michael Amantia. A Hamilton native, Joanna is a rising star who has been a winner of the All University Orchestra Concerto Competition, second prize winner in the Baroque Concerto Competition and recipient of the Derdeyn Award in Voice.

Local politicians and community leaders, including  Anthony ‘Skip’ Cimino, CEO of Robert Wood Johnson Hospital at Hamilton; Mercer Freeholder Pasquale Colavita; Cathy DiCostanzo, President of Mercer Chapter, Sunshine Foundation; State Senator Linda R. Greenstein; Hamilton Councilman Dennis Pone; Sherri Ritter, Managing Partner at Mercadien Group; Christy Stephenson, CEO at St. Francis Medical Center; Liz Tindall, Vice President of Mid-Jersey Chamber of Commerce, and Vince Calcagno, Vice President of the Robbinsville Council, also joined the fun, serving as “celebrity sommeliers.”

“We had originally expected perhaps 100 people to attend,” explains ICGMC Executive Director Jane Latini. “But interest and community support was so high that ticket sales quickly surpassed 200 – and we knew we had to move from our originally planned venue of Rosa’s Restaurant to the Nottingham Ballroom, which could accommodate more people. The positive spirit and joy in the room was palpable – giving witness to the mutual love of ICGMC and the community. In response to so many requests, I’m happy to say we will definitely schedule a repeat performance in the future!”

About Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County

ICGMC relies on more than 300 dedicated volunteers from 28 interdenominational congregations throughout Mercer County, as well as individual, corporate, foundation and government support. Its mission is to promote the independence and dignity of homebound elderly and people with disabilities by matching them with caring volunteers who assist with the tasks of everyday life. Volunteers are professionally screened and trained, and all services are provided without proselytization or regard to religious affiliation. ICGMC is celebrating its volunteers and its 20 years of service to the community with special events and programs throughout 2014. To request services, volunteer, or support Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County, visit www.icgmc.org or call 609-393-9922.