2008 Caritas Award Gala

2008 CARITAS GALA
IN SUPPORT OF
Saint John's Health Center

What:	Each year, the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation and the Irene Dunne Guild host the Caritas Gala at which the Health Center honors individuals who demonstrate compassion and concern for others through service to the community.  Caritas is Latin for love or charity.  It serves as the motto for the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth who founded Saint John’s more than 60 years ago. Friends of Saint John’s who have been past honorees of the Caritas Award  include Jimmy Stewart, former First Lady Nancy Reagan,  Angela Lansbury, Robert Wagner, Sister Marie Madeleine Shonka, Gretchen and Michael Wayne, Vin Scully, Martin Sheen, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, Anthony Hopkins,  Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson and most recently, Warren Beatty  and Annette Bening and most recently, Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D. and Michele B. Chan.  The evening is also an opportunity to honor a Saint John’s volunteer whose service to Saint John’s inspires others to volunteer in support of the Health Center.
Where:	Beverly Wilshire
Why:	At a time when hospitals are closing and quality health care eludes many families, Saint John’s continues to provide competent, compassionate care to greater Los Angeles. The proceeds from the Caritas Gala have provided vital resources to rebuild the new Irene Dunne Guild NICU in the Maria Shriver Nursery and to enhance “Fast Track” services in the Emergency Department.  The Caritas Gala is also the primary mechanism by which Saint John’s communicates with the public at large to share the word that this unique community hospital is an essential health care resource for all.
When:	Saturday Evening, October 11, 2008          6:30 PM       Cocktails          7:00 PM       Dinner
Contact:	Rosa Hernandez, Director of Special Events Foundation Office: 310.829-8441