The Moorings Yacht & Country Club was transformed last Monday evening into a glittering casino for the third annual Mardi Gras Celebration Gala to benefit the We Care Foundation of Indian River. The occasion also marked an opportunity to toast the 25th anniversary of the We Care cooperative effort between the Indian River County Medical Society, Health Department and Hospital District.
Guests were showered with festive Mardi Gras beads and got into the New Orleans spirit with the funky jazz sounds of Mark Zauss & the Jammin’ Jambalaya Band in the main dining room, and also tried their luck at casino tables and one-armed bandits, hoping to win big and give back to We Care.
A scrumptious buffet kept everyone more than satisfied, with a huge selection of shrimp, cracked crab, lobster and other delicious seafood piled high on ice atop two mini sailboats. Additionally, waiters passed hors d’oeuvres and chilled cocktails, and several chef-manned stations were strategically placed about the room.
John Moore as Master of Ceremonies announced winners of several drawings throughout the evening, and asked guests to be sure to thank the We Care physicians who volunteer their time to provide medical care to individuals in need. Moore also acknowledged six young Florida State University medical students who are serving as We Care interns, as well as Elizabeth DeBaun, a patient recipient of the program.
“It is nice to give back,” said Dr. Jeffrey Livingston, an ear, nose and throat doctor. “There are patients who do not have insurance who need our services. Some of their issues really make life difficult for them but we can make patients’ lives better.”
DeBaun was one of his patients and said We Care improved her life in many ways.
“I was an asthmatic and Dr. Livingston did surgery to remove polyps that made breathing difficult,” said DeBaun. “He is one of the kindest men on the inside as well as out. We Care is just awesome. They answered all my questions and took care of everything. It is such a relief to know that the doctors the Health Department refers me to are going to be so good.”
In addition to serving as a fundraiser, the event provided a way to show gratitude to the many physicians who donate their time to help others. We Care now coordinates its free physician services for uninsured, indigent patients at their new clinic located in the Gifford Health Center. More than 3,000 residents, referred through the Health Department, qualify for the program’s services each year.
“We have people in Indian River County that need help. No one can live a fulfilling life if they are not feeling well. The doctors are not just treating these patients but they doing it graciously, humanely and compassionately,” said Shelley Stuven, executive director of the Indian River County Medical Society and We Care Foundation of IR.
“This directly impacts extremely financially challenged citizens in the area where we need it,” said Debrah Agnello. “It is all volunteer and almost everything is donated. These people want no glory for themselves and help the very neediest with something that I think everyone is entitled to – decent health care. It is such a necessary cause.”
