Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island Spring Fundraiser Exceeds Expectations
Café Nuovo and the Citizens Bank rotunda at One Citizens Plaza were transformed into a Casino Royale nightclub for Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island’s 2nd spring fundraiser held on Saturday, May 12th. Over 650 guests attended the gala whose theme was based on the iconic James Bond film and brought to life by the unique design style of James Verity of Verity Design.
Guests arrived at the party’s red carpet greeted by paparazzi’s flashing cameras, studio style search lights, and outbursts of “who are you wearing?” Glamour, glitter and a jet-setting vibe permeated the air while the Bond theme décor added an elegance and sophistication to the evening.
“Last year’s gala set such a high standard for success that it was quite a challenge to exceed those expectations this year,” says Chuck Iacono, Vice President of Philanthropy at Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island. “But we did, nevertheless,” he boasted. “We were extremely fortunate to have the support of co-chairs Grace Ormonde, Editor-in-Chief of Ormonde Wedding Style publications and Carolyn Rafaelian, Owner and Designer of Alex and Ani. Both Ormond and Rafaelian recently lost their fathers to cancer.
 “What I do is all about glamour, happy times, luxury weddings, and five star resorts,” stated Grace Ormonde. “That’s my glamorous side. When I was asked to be involved in this event, I was so honored to be a part of it. My dad had pancreatic cancer so I took a year off to help my mother, but without hospice, we would never have been able to make it as a family. I don’t think we could have survived. They made all of us so comfortable, gave us a greater understanding of what was happening and helped my father die with dignity and less pain.”
Highlighting the speaking program was an announcement from Carolyn Rafaelian, Owner and Designer of Alex and Ani, about the company’s decision to include Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island in their Charity by Design program. “
There are so many reasons why I’ve been inspired to do this for hospice,” says Rafaelian. “The Charity by Design program is the heart and soul of Alex and Ani. Just recently I lost my dad to cancer. My cousin who worked at Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island suggested hospice. It (the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center) couldn’t have been a finer place to be – the compassion, the love, and the staff – just about everything. It was so amazing and such a loving atmosphere.”
Rafaelian hopes that the charm she has designed for Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island will increase awareness of hospice while supporting its mission of caring for the seriously ill.
“Death is a normal cycle of life,” states Rafaelian. “What’s more appropriate to represent hospice than the phoenix? It represents a beginning, middle and end to life,” remarked the designer. The phoenix is a mythical bird with many different cultural symbols. Most commonly it represents life, immortality, rebirth and resurrection.
The phoenix bracelet goes on sale beginning May 21st for $28.00. Twenty percent of the sales will benefit Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island.
“HHCRI is so grateful to Carolyn and Grace for their generosity and willingness to get involved with Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island,” stated Iacono. “I also want to thank our other major event sponsors including Walgreens, Donoghue Barrett & Singal PC DBS, GENTS, Collette Vacations, Easy Entertaining Inc., Embolden, The Nardolillo Family, New Harbor Group and The Providence Journal. HHCRI is very fortunate to have the support of these and many other organizations and businesses.”
The celebration offered sumptuous food created by the renowned chefs of Café Nuovo, including exquisite hors d’oeuvres, stations of delectable seafood, pasta, turkey and beef tenderloin. The Manhattan Touch, a premier nine-piece band from Boston and New York entertained dancers while others lounged in cabanas on the outdoor piazza sipping prosecco and other spirits that flowed freely throughout the night.
“It’s not going to be easy to top this one next year,” Iacono says with a big, broad smile.
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