News and Events – October 2024
Going the distance
We can almost see the finish line as we approach the fundraising goal for our first TCS New York City Marathon. We thank all the donors who have so generously helped our team of Waverunners meet and exceed their goals.
For The Floating Hospital’s combined goal of $15,000, we are less than $600 away, and some on our team could also use a boost. Please visit our website to learn more and consider donating to the hospital or an individual runner. The money raised will fund quality healthcare for everyone regardless of ability to pay, free transportation to our clinic, health education, a summer camp for at-risk youth, enhanced social services, as well as food, clothing, and other essentials for the most vulnerable among us.
When the marathon takes place on November 3, it will give you and our patients something to cheer about!
Men’s health and more
This year’s Men’s Health Initiative workshops have started up again and offer a variety of topics related to wellness, financial stability, personal growth and positive community engagement.
The free workshops take place monthly on Tuesdays at 6pm. The next program on November 12 will cover educational pathways and higher education along with assistance with financial aid and applications. On January 14, sexual health and addiction will be the topic, including safe sex practices and addiction recovery. Other workshops will cover building community and relationships, mental health and balanced masculinity, healthy living and positive parenting. More information and a sign up link are on the hospital website.
Those looking for guidance in managing their finances, improving their health or building stronger relationships, will find practical advice and resources to help them thrive.
Gilded again
The 19th century glamour of our Golden Legacies gala in June was alive and well again on September 30 when Charlene Prounis, a member of The Floating Hospital Foundation board, and her friend Sue Grbic toured the set of the HBO series The Gilded Age. Grbic won the tour, which was auctioned off during the benefit, and invited Prounis to join her.
They watched some of the scenes from the upcoming third season being shot, walked the set, ate lunch in the commissary for the cast and crew and met many of the key people behind the scenes who are responsible for producing the series.
The tour made this year’s gala theme come alive again long after the last candle was blown out. It was made possible through our party’s MC, Simon Jones, who is a star of the show. We are grateful to Jones and everyone at The Gilded Age for making the tour and the benefit so memorable. Stay tuned for news of next year’s gala.
A year-end appeal
Before you know it, Santa will appear at the end of the annual Thanksgiving Day parade and will usher in the official holiday season. Early bird shoppers will be scooping up Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for family and friends and every street in New York will display some sign of holiday celebration. But please don’t forget the families who need our gifts the most this season.
On Giving Tuesday, which falls on December 3 this year, our annual appeal will emphasize the needs of the families who have escaped households of violence and abuse to settle in safe houses and shelters, often with little more than what they were wearing the night they fled. Every dollar raised will go to providing the essential medical, behavioral, dental, life skills and social support services they need to heal and rebuild their lives. The money will also support free shuttle transport to our clinic and supply food and clothing as well as personal and baby needs as part of our “more than healthcare” philosophy.
Letters and emails will arrive soon with more information and ways to donate. For nearly 160 years, The Floating Hospital has been anchored in the belief that healthcare is a fundamental human right, accessible to everyone. Now, more than ever, your support is critical to ensuring that we can continue to be a place of refuge and recovery for the families who need it most.
Candy Cane Lane
No mention of winter celebrations and giving would be complete without also heralding the arrival of Candy Cane Lane. The annual December event transforms our community center into a place of magic that makes the dreams of both parents and children come true. Patients and their families are greeted with an array of new winter gear, clothing, sleepwear, gift cards and toys to choose for the holidays.
This is a massive undertaking and would not be possible without the volunteers who help guide families through the center to make their selections and the generous donations of clothing and toys. Anyone interested in volunteering for the event should contact either Cynthia Davis at cdavis@thefloatnghospital.org or 718-784-2240 at ext. 273, or Svetlana Stanarevic at sstanarevic@thefloatinghospital.org.
Donations of new toys, books, gift cards, coats, winter gear, socks, sleepwear and slippers are part of our holiday drive. We will accept drop-offs at the Community Outreach Center on Tuesdays through Fridays from 10am-4pm. For our teen patients, we are in particular need of gift cards.
For larger donations, which we can arrange to pickup, and other questions, the community center can be reached through Cynthia Davis at the contacts listed above. Please visit our Amazon wishlist for direct purchases.
A most successful gathering
Held on October 16, our first Generosity Gathering, a Jazz and Wine Evening at Anassa Taverna in Manhattan, was a resounding success.
We are grateful to all who came to help build our base of friends and benefactors. More than 80 guests joined us (including Jane Francisco, Madeleine Nagel, and Doug Seidman, who serve on Floating Hospital boards) for the music of Griffin Ross and the New Standard along with mezzes, wine and brief talks by our directors of education and community outreach.
We applaud the enthusiasm and energy of board member Charlene Prounis and marketing committee member Alyssa Levins who spearheaded the effort along with David Chapman and Shellie Caplan, wonderful new champions of The Floating Hospital.
Be on the lookout for announcements of future events, each with a different theme or area of interest. You won’t want to miss them.
This post is featured in our monthly newsletter from October 2024.
To get the latest from The Floating Hospital directly to your inbox, sign up using the form below.
Other posts from this newsletter:
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Categories
Tags
The Floating Hospital provides high-quality healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, immigration or insurance status, or the ability to pay. By providing unrestricted medical care in tandem with health education and social support to vulnerable New York City families, The Floating Hospital aims to ensure those most in need have the ability to thrive, not just survive.
DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR WORK
Follow Us
