Greenwich Hospital’s “Under the Stars”

To Benefit Pediatric and Neonatal Care

An evening “Under the Stars” will take place on Friday, July 16, at the Belle Haven Club in Greenwich from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. to benefit Pediatric Services and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Greenwich Hospital.

Hundreds of guests from Connecticut and New York will enjoy an evening of dining, dancing and live, silent and wine auctions at the scenic club located at 100 Harbor Drive. P.J. Pacifico and his band will provide the music.  Gideon Fountain will serve as emcee.

Greenwich residents Whitney Duncan and Neely Vanneck are co-chairs of the volunteer committee organizing the event. The benefit is sponsored by Families for Greenwich Hospital, a group of volunteers working to enhance pediatric and adolescent care in the community.

“The doctors and nurses at Greenwich Hospital have become a second family to us,” said Duncan, a mother of three with identical twin boys who spent many weeks in the NICU. Duncan had a rare condition known as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) that put the babies at risk. The boys were born at 30 weeks and went directly to the NICU. “What makes Greenwich Hospital special are the relationships you develop with the staff. They are so supportive,” she said. “They saved our children. I’m not sure what would have happened at another NICU.”

“I have peace of mind knowing I’m taking my sons to the best possible place for care,” said Vanneck, whose ties to the hospital span three generations. She and her two sisters (plus her dad!) were born at Greenwich Hospital. Her three boys—ages two through eight—were born at the hospital, as well. Like many area families, Vanneck has relied on the experts at Greenwich Hospital’s Emergency Department and the Pediatric Specialty Center throughout the years. “Greenwich Hospital is always reliable and great with the kids,” she said.

Last year, Greenwich Hospital touched the lives of close to 3,700 children and newborns. The state-of-the-art Level III NICU includes neonatologists, neonatal nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners who provide round-the-clock care. A NICU Family Room provides respite for parents. The hospital also offers a full range of pediatric inpatient and outpatient programs to meet the medical and developmental needs of children from birth through adolescence.
Among the many community supporters for “Under the Stars” are Mina and Stuart Bloom, Finch Paper, Kenmar Group Inc., Rand Insurance, Nestlé Waters North America, Serendipity Magazine, Trans-Continental Credit & Collection Corp. and Vineyard Vines.

Tickets for “Under the Stars” are available in advance only. Levels of support include: Benefactor $1,000 or $10,000 for a table; Sponsor $500 or $5,000 for a table; Patron $350 or $3,500 for a tale; and $150 for individual tickets. Families and companies can support the event by underwriting portions of the fundraiser or purchasing items from the “Wish List.”

For more information, contact Stephanie Dunn Ashley in the Greenwich Hospital Development Department at (203) 863-3860. To purchase tickets, contact Jackie Hvolbeck at (203) 863-3863.