Share this pageJune K. Berg's Gifts to "Benedictine HCCI Annual Gala"
- Details
- Published on Friday, 20 February 2009 16:43
- Written by Stanton O. Berg
The Benedictine Health Care Center at Innsbruck presented their first “GALA”, 2008 an event what would later become an annual fund raiser for the purpose of raising funds for resident projects that would "enhance the resident's quality of life and well-being."
The first such event was scheduled and held on Friday May 9th, 2008 and described as "Dancing with the Stars Gala." This event was held at the North Air Banquet Hall on Highway 65 inFridley.
The event activities consisted of a Dinner accompanied by "Live Music performed by MSP Band - Performance by Arthur Murray Dancers, Special performances by John Derus - Live Auction - Portraits at the tables." Following the lead and pattern of this first event, the future events have all consisted of:
- Social Hour.
- Dinner.
- Entertainment.
- Music and Dancing
- Silent auction, live auction and raffle.
June K. Berg was a resident in the Alzheimer's Villa at the Benedictine Health Care Center at Innsbruck from March 24th 2006 until her death from complications of Alzheimer's on October 23rd, 2008. June waged a long weary and exhausting battle with Alzheimer's for almost 12 years before God finally took June home.
June’s participation has always been as a table sponsor of a table of eight (8) at each and every annual GALA affair. This permits June to select and designate the eight (8) individuals that are to sit at her sponsored table. June selections have always been those people that were prominent in June’s life while a resident at the Villa of the Benedictine Health care center. The persons selected have always been the one’s who provided her with the most care, comfort and love while a resident. It has been my honor as June’s representative, to make the yearly selections based on my previous observations during that period of time when June was a resident. I also prepare a special personal letter or thank you card in June’s behalf with her picture that is placed at each table setting as a special thank you from June! This was not only a way for June to say thank you but also to demonstrate God’s Love.
This is also one of June's Purple Angel World Dementia Ambassador's activities that help to promote Alzheimer's dementia awareness.
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June and Stan were both appointed as Purple Angel World Dementia Ambassadors (October 2013) for the purpose of promoting world wide awareness of Alzheimer's and the dementia diseases. Such an awareness will in turn promote funding for research to find a cure and to promote proper care practices. June was appointed an honorary Purple Angel Ambassador with Stan as her representative in order to promote her many charitable programs that all have an Alzheimer's and dementia awareness connection. June is the only resident of Heaven to have received this honor...and who actually lives among the Angels...The Purple Angel world headquarters is in Devon, United Kingdom.
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Benedictine Gala Events Log
1. 2008 - 1st annual "Dancing with the Stars Gala" 2008 Friday 9 May 2008 at the North Air Banquet Hall, Highway 65, Fridley, MN
2. 2009 - 2d annual "Dancing with the Stars Gala" 2009. Friday 24 April 2009 at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church Parish Center inNew Brighton,MN.
Note: The funds from the first two Gala events were used to purchase a bus to transport residents to various events and outings.
3. 2010 - 3rd annual "Dancing Under the Stars Gala” 2010. Friday 30 April 2010 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Parish Center in New Brighton, MN
Note: The Chef was Van House from Murray's Steakhouse. The funds raised in 2010 were used for the "beautification and development of the outdoor living spaces, gardens, walking paths and benches."
4. 2011 - 4th annual "Dancing in Starlit Gardens" Gala 2011. Friday 29 April 2011 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Parish Center in New Brighton, MN.
Note: The funds raised will be used to benefit the Healing Gardens, creating and enhancing outdoor spaces and walking paths for all residents.
5. 2012 – 5th annual "Gardens of the World Gala” 2012. Friday 27 April 2012 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Parish Center in New Brighton, MN.
The invited Guests to June's sponsored table in 2012 were: LPN Diane Bergh, NA Sue Gono, Geno Ronallo, NA Meicy Zopi, Julie Berg, LPN Carolyn Tollefson, Pam Stenstrom and Tim Stenstrom. (See photo of group below.)
Note: Featured is a “Wall of Wine”. The funds raised in 2012 will be used to create and enhance the Healing Gardens and Walking Paths for the residents.
6. 2013 - 6th annual Benedictine Gala 2013. Friday 3 May 2013 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Dhurch, St. Joseph's Hall in New Brighton, MN.
The invited Guests to June's sponsored table in 2013 were: LPN Diane Bergh, NA Sue Gono, Geno Ronallo, NA Meicy Zopi, Julie Berg, LPN Carolyn Tollefson, Pam Stenstrom and Tim Stenstrom.
Note: The funds raised in 2013 will be used to "expand therapy and wellness services for those we serve on and off our campus."
7. 2014 - 7th annual Benedictine Gala 2014. Friday 2 May 2014 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Hall in New Brighton, MN.
8. 2015 - 8th annual Benedictine Gala 2015. Friday 1 May 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Hall in New Brighton, MN.
9. 2016 - 9th annual Benedictine Gala 2016. Friday 6 May 2016 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Hall in New Brighton, MN.
Note :Theme was "Come Dream with Us"...Featuring Live entertainment by "Power of 10".
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Photo Notes
Below are the Benedictine Staff members that were seated at June's sponsored table at the 2nd 2009 Gala - all represent staff members important in June's care during her years at the Alzheimer's Villa at the Benedictine - this is June's thank you to the people that contributed to her "quality of life." Front row L-R: Edward Nyagechi - NA, Susan Gono - NA, Meicy Zopi - NA, Julie Berg - Oakview Activities Coordinator, Dianne Bergh - LPN. Back Row L-R: Pam Stenstrom - Therapy, Tim Stenstrom (Pams husband) and Geno Ronallo Julie's friend.
Below the picture are the announcments for the first Gala in 2008 and the present current Gala in 2011 and 2012..
(Below is copy of the notice from the first 2008 "Dancing with the Stars Gala.")
(2011 Gala Announcement)
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(Below photo - Guests seated at June's sponsored table for GALA 2012)
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(Below photo - Guests seated at June's sponsored table for GALA 2013)
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(Below photo - Guests seated at June's sponsored table for GALA 2016)
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(June's Thank You Card given to each of Her care-giver Guests at her sponsored Gala table)
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(Front Cover for the above Gala card for Caregivers - Junes face can be seen in sunset)
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Reader's Comments
Jacqueline Crowther - Manchester, United Kingdom - (3 May 2013): "Am sure they really appreciate this."
Lynda Etlicher - Rice Lake, Wisconsin - (3 May 2013): "I'm sure they will all appreciate the dinner etc. It a very nice way of showing appreciation."
Paula Coley - Pittsfield, Massachusetts - (2 May 2014):"Mr. Berg, I hope that the selected 8 seated at June's table have a wonderful time tonight. How special this Gala must be for those who have been chosen to attend. June was obviously a very special lady who touched the lives of many and you are an...man for keeping the love and memory of June alive by continuing these charitable projects funded from June’s personal life savings. God bless you!...They (comments) are sincere, Mr. Berg...I am certain June is smiling down upon you with pride, admiration, and gratitude!"
Louise Ann Howard - Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia- (3 May 2014): "Very lovely Santon. Wow to keep June's memories alive. Way to go. That was inspiring. Thanks...She sounds very special. Glad your sharing her with us still. To be a guest would have been a privilege"
Alison Summers - Edinburgh, United Kingdom - (3 May 2014): "What a lovely way to remember."
Meicy Zopi - Brooklyn Park, Minnesota - (3 May 2014): "Hi Stan, thanks so much for a wonderful evening at the gala again, I enjoy myself very much. When you go to visit June on Wednesday, please thank her for me. Thanks again."
Mary Jill Bringgold Duncan - Cannon Falls, Minnesota - (5 May 2014): "What a beautiful legacy."