VERO BEACH — Laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll)! Tickets for the Monday, March 2, Mardi Gras Celebration to benefit the Indian River County Medical Society (IRCMS) Foundation for “We Care” are now on sale online at the IRCMS website – www.IRCMS.org, or by calling (772) 526-0123.
Do not miss the sumptuous culinary tour of New Orleans, spirits, Dixieland Jazz Band, beads and all the fun of a carnival with some incredible surprises along the way from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Moorings in Vero Beach. Only 250 tickets are available. Tickets are $200 each, and attire is cocktail casual.
The winner of the “We Care” Diamonds: A Game of Chance will also be announced during the Mardi Gras Celebration. A $250 donation will guarantee entry to win an exquisite 1.81 carat total weight diamond solitaire earrings set in white gold and valued at $15,000. The diamonds have GIA Certificates, were hand selected in Antwerp, Belgium, and are being donated by John Michael Matthews Fine Jewelry in Vero Beach. The drawing is limited to the first 300 entries, and participants need not be present at the March 2, Mardi Gras Celebration to win.
The diamond earrings can be viewed now and until the time of the drawing at John Michael Matthews Fine Jewelry, located at 645 Beachland Blvd., Vero Beach, where participants can also enter to win the earrings. Entries may also be purchased by calling IRCMS Executive Director Shelley Stuven at (772) 526-0123 or in person at any of the following locations: John Michael Matthews Fine Jewelry at 645 Beachland Blvd, Seacoast National Bank at 2940 Cardinal Drive, Harbour Community Bank at the Vero Beach West location at 3900 20th Street, or at Katy Lynn Design Studio at 1914 14th Avenue.
“The Mardi Gras Celebration is not just a party, it’s an opportunity to support “We Care,” a volunteer physician program that provides free medical care to indigent residents of Indian River County,” said Event Chair Sarah Mondano. “Funds raised will purchase items like medical supplies to expand the “We Care” program beyond volunteer physician care. In addition, funds will be used to open a new “We Care” Clinic to provide continuity in care at the Gifford Health Center.”
Proceeds benefit the IRCMS Foundation for “We Care,” a program providing free health care services for Indian River County residents in need since 1991. Although more than $1,000,000 vital services are provided by dedicated Volunteer Physicians and other health care professionals each year, there remain medical needs beyond physician services for which funding has been non-existent. The IRCMS Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was formed in 2013 to begin raising funds to help meet these needs. Through the IRCMS Foundation, more non-physician services can be provided such as transportation, short-term prescription assistance and cataract lenses. The Foundation is also raising funds to open a new “We Care” Clinic at the Gifford Health Center to improve continuity in care. Construction is expected to begin in 2015. The clinic will include multiple patient exam rooms, waiting room and administrative area.
Current sponsors include Modern Ink PR, John Michael Mathews Fine Jewelry, ABC Printing, Steve Smith Graphic Design, Sara Pedreira Photography, Atlantic Health Care, Indian River Medical Center, Senior Home Health, VNA & Hospice Foundation, Peace River Citrus Products, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Susi, Harbor Community Bank, Heartbeat of the Treasure Coast, and Katy Lynn Design Studio. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Samantha Kayser at Samantha@modernInkpr.com or visit www.IRCMS.org.
For more information about the IRCMS Foundation, “We Care” Program or the Mardi Gras Celebration, visit www.IRCMS.org.
About John Michael Matthews Fine Jewelry:
John Michael Matthews Fine Jewelry is a full-service jewelry store specializing in the finest diamonds, gemstones and pearls set in gold and platinum. Store information: 645 Beachland Blvd., Vero Beach, FL., (772) 234-1512, www.johnmatthewsjewelry.com.
About the IRCMS Foundation:
The Indian River County Medical Society Foundation, founded in 2013, provides funding for non-physician healthcare services to medically indigent residents of Indian River County who are served through the “We Care” Program. Each year, 120-plus volunteer physicians provide vital medical services valued at more than $1 million for “We Care” patients; however, there remain medical needs beyond physician care currently not funded. This is where the Foundation can make a significant difference to provide those items such as cataract lenses, breast implants for reconstructive surgery, short-term prescription coverage and more. The Foundation is also raising funds to construct a dedicated We Care Clinic to better serve We Care patients. The clinic will include multiple patient exam rooms, waiting room and administrative area. For more information, visit www.IRCMS.org.