On Oct. 20, Greenwich Hospital will host its Treasure Gala to benefit the Emergency Department (ED). At the fundraiser, being held at Greenwich Country Club, the Bennett and Kanarek families, the Greenwich Hospital Auxiliary and the O’Malley family will be honored for their volunteerism, leadership and philanthropic engagement in support of Greenwich Hospital.
“We will celebrate the treasure that is Greenwich Hospital within the community and the treasures that are these honorees, whose steadfast support through the years makes the hospital’s work possible,” said Noël Appel, vice president and chief development officer at the Greenwich Hospital Foundation.
The Bennett and Kanarek Families
As Greenwich residents, Carl and the late Dorothy Bennett understood the importance of supporting their community hospital. They made a substantial gift to fund the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Community Garden at Greenwich Hospital. Completed in 2006, this serene oasis is situated on 2.5 manicured acres next to the hospital’s Watson Pavilion. Carl Bennett said the gift was a tribute to Greenwich Hospital’s physicians, nurses, employees and volunteers, and to the hospital’s belief that healing the soul is as important as healing the body.
The Bennetts also generously contributed to the Emergency Department throughout the years, first with a gift for a CT scanner and MRI machine to be located within the department. Most recently, Mr. Bennett was a leading donor in support of the complete renovation of Greenwich’s ED.
Bennett’s daughter, Robin Kanarek, will be honored alongside her father at the Gala. Kanarek, a nurse by training, is a member of the hospital’s Board of Trustees. She serves on the Quality and Safety and Strategic Planning committees and chairs the Community Advisory Committee, helping steer the hospital’s efforts to meet community needs.
Of joining the board, Kanarek said, “Since my family had a strong relationship with Greenwich, I thought it would be a great opportunity to contribute to the excellent work the hospital provides the community.”
Greenwich Hospital President and CEO Norman Roth spoke fondly of the Bennetts and Kanareks. “They are generous of heart and truly altruistic in their philanthropy,” he said. “The Bennett and Kanarek families are indeed a gem of the community.”
The Greenwich Hospital Auxiliary
The Auxiliary and its dedicated corps of volunteers, who consistently give their time without compensation, has been an integral part of the hospital’s history since its formal opening in 1906. Today’s Auxiliary is comprised of more than 600 volunteers who last year donated more than 45,000 hours of time to the Greenwich Hospital community. Not only does the Auxiliary support the hospital with their gifts of time and talent, but they have also made significant financial contributions, donating over $11 million through revenue generated from the Thrift and Gift Shops.
These gifts have purchased hyperbaric medicine technology, a new MRI machine and hospital-wide satellite TV system, and funded special hospital projects as well. In 2014, the Auxiliary made a $1 million pledge toward the expansion of cardiovascular services. More recently, the Auxiliary underwrote the purchase of two pieces of surgical equipment and a biopsy device for the Breast Center.
“I have been with the hospital for 11 years, and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with many different volunteers who have all taught me so much,” said Stacey Green, director of Volunteer Services. “They are a treasure and a blessing to me personally, but more importantly to the hospital and our patients.”
The O’Malley Family
Mary Alice and Thomas O’Malley have been steadfast supporters of Greenwich Hospital since moving to Greenwich in 1975, most recently contributing to the enhancement of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Mrs. O’Malley’s background as a nurse fuels the family’s interest in supporting healthcare institutions. Thanks in part to their generosity, Greenwich Hospital’s Emergency Department now has a separate pediatric waiting room and round-the-clock coverage by board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physicians.
Pediatric emergency physicians have experience in diagnosing and treating infants, children, teens and young adults. Major emergencies include fractures, head injuries, burns and conditions resulting from motor vehicle crashes, falls or other incidents. These physicians know how to establish an instant rapport with kids, providing assurance they’re in a safe, friendly place where the doctors understand what they’re going through.
For the grandmother of 10 grandchildren, six under the age of seven, Mrs. O’Malley admits there have been many trips with little ones to the Emergency Department. “We’ve seen it in other hospitals and it was very necessary for Greenwich Hospital to be able to provide this coverage, assuring that specialized care can be given to all children at any hour of the day or night,” she said.
Roth is pleased to honor the O’Malley family at the Gala, calling them incredibly wonderful and generous people. When he met with them to discuss the development of the pediatric emergency program at Greenwich Hospital and the benefits it would bring to all the children in the area, the O’Malleys immediately agreed to lend their support to this worthy cause. “They are true leaders who value the importance of supporting their local hospital,” said Roth.
Tickets to the Treasure Gala are available at a variety of levels of support. Please visit giving.greenhosp.org/gala2018 for more information.
