Calvary Celebrates 125 Years with
ANNUAL SPRING DONOR RECEPTION
at the
The New York Botanical Garden
Calvary Hospital celebrated its 125th Anniversary with their Annual Spring Donor Reception at The New York Botanical Garden on June 12, 2024. June 12 is the exact date in 1899 that Annie Isabella Storrs and a group of like-minded lay Catholic women founded the American House of Calvary. Over 250 donors and friends gathered at the picturesque site to celebrate the mission of Calvary and commemorate this milestone.
The day began with over 100 members of Calvary’s Storrs Society coming together for the first-ever Founder’s Tea, where Robert A. Brescia, MD provided a compelling and heartfelt overview of Calvary’s history. Members of the Storrs Society in attendance were then escorted on a guided tour of Wonderland: Curious Nature, an Alice in Wonderland themed exhibit currently on display in the Garden’s Conservatory.
Nearly 150 more guests joined the festivities for the evening portion of the event, which included a cocktail hour, lavish buffet dinner and a lively musical performance from a jazz duo. Scott, LaRue, President & CEO of ArchCare and a member of the Calvary Hospital Board, spoke about the renewed relationship between Calvary and ArchCare, the Continuing Care Community of the Archdiocese of New York. “Like Calvary, ArchCare provides faith-based, holistic care to people of all faiths – especially the frail and elderly. What we want is for everyone to receive the exact right service at the exact right time, which is why Calvary is so important. We know more New Yorkers could benefit from CalvaryCare® sooner than they do. So, part of our mission is to do that and to grow Calvary,” remarked Mr. LaRue.
Jeffrey Menkes, President & CEO of Calvary also addressed the audience of Calvary donors and supporters. “Well, here I am today having the privilege to lead Calvary Hospital, on its 125th birthday with its unique mission for providing palliative care, hospice at home care, and end-of-life acute care. No other Healthcare System, or healthcare provider, offers the comprehensive end-of- life services we provide, focused on the patient and their families, focused on a patient’s comfort, direct care, compassion, dignity, and an assurance of non-abandonment,” stated Mr. Menkes.
The program concluded with a videotaped message from His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York. All guests were given their very own Our Lady of Sorrows Calvary Medal. The Women of Calvary bestowed this medal to its members for their commitment to and support of their Association, and in acknowledgment of the holy work they were doing. Calvary was happy to share this keepsake with our donors, whose support allows the mission and legacy of The Women of Calvary to continue to this day.
For information on upcoming events, please email calvaryevents@calvaryhospital.org or call 718-518-2285.