The Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County, Inc. will hold its annual “Shining Lights Gala” Oct. 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Mercer Oaks Golf Course, 725 Village Road West, West Windsor. Billed as “an elegant evening of rustic charm and blooming florals,” the fundraiser will also recognize the Mount Carmel Guild and Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing, as integral partners for their mission.
Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County has been working in partnership with numerous parishes in the Diocese of Trenton for over 30 years to provide tens of thousands of hours of free caregiving and wellness services to local Mercer County seniors and adults with disabilities. Essential services include transportation to medical appointments, socialization to combat loneliness and isolation, family caregiver respite, help with grocery shopping and chores, referrals to other needed services, and exercise and education to prevent fall-related injuries for our neighbors in need.
Carla Winters, ICGMC Director of Grants and Fundraising, explained the impetus behind nominating this year’s nominees.
“We have had a long, positive relationship with the Mount Carmel Guild,” Winters noted. “They partner with us to serve the aging and homebound.” The agency’s Home Health nurses may discover seniors in need of ICGMC services, while ICGMC personnel might assess their clients’ needs more appropriate for Mt. Carmel Guild resources. “We have complementary services,” Winters added.
AS for the selection of Incarnation-St. James Parish, Winters explained, “We have several churches in our region that are great supporters of our agency. Incarnation’s people volunteer to serve and leaders help us coordinate. There is a lot of care in that community.” ICGMC reported the parish has partnered with Incarnation for over 10 years and tallied nearly 16,000 hours of time of service. “It speaks volumes about their commitment to ‘love your neighbor,’” she said, adding pastor Trinitarian Father Stan DeBoe “is setting the tone.”
Tickets are $125/person, $65 of it tax-deductible. RSVP by Sept. 24 to icgmc.org or call 609-393-9922.