Jerry Paris receives Castle Award for service; Michael Cavanaugh perform
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ROCKFORD – The 2012 Rosecrance Foundation Benefit raised a record $480,000 to provide services to clients who need financial assistance for treatment of substance use and mental health disorders. The annual event also drew a record attendance of 830.
Entertainer Michael Cavanaugh and his band headlined the event on Monday, April 16, at Giovanni’s. The Benefit also featured presentation of the Castle Award to Jerry Paris, a Rockford businessman who has provided distinguished service on Rosecrance boards for almost two decades. A new video titled “Hope in Recovery,” which features Rosecrance alumni, was premiered at the event.
The annual event supports The Kinley Charity Care Fund, named for the late Verna Kinley, a former Rosecrance board member who was dedicated to the principle that no youth in need of treatment should be turned away because of a family’s inability to pay for services. Since 1984, The Kinley Fund has provided more than $6 million in care to patients.
John Griffin, chair of the Rosecrance Foundation Board of Directors, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support of corporations and individuals who make the Benefit successful. It is the organization’s main fundraising vehicle for charity care, which each year assists almost 300 families.
“We are so very grateful to everyone who supports the Benefit because they believe, as we do, in the power of every human spirit to heal,” Griffin said. “There is hope in treatment, and our event is all about helping people get the services they need, even if their financial resources are limited.
“Through their generosity, Rosecrance donors change and save the lives of people they will never meet.”
President/CEO Philip W. Eaton presented the Castle Award to Rosecrance Health Network Board Member Jerry Paris, who has helped to lead the organization in various roles for almost 20 years. Paris is a past board chair and currently leads the Foundation’s Endowment Committee.
“He has been there for us as we’ve built buildings, expanded programs and struggled to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people,” Eaton said of Paris. “He asks hard questions at the right time so that we can make the best decisions to move our mission forward and offer the best quality care.”
Paris owns several area Midas Auto Repair Centers. He founded the Rosecrance/Midas Golf Shootout in 1992 and oversaw it for a decade, during which time the event earned almost a quarter of a million dollars to support programs and services.
In addition to his work with Rosecrance, Paris has been involved in leadership at several other community agencies. He received the Crusader Community Health Spirit of Caring Award in 2007 for his deep community involvement.
The event traditionally highlights Rosecrance alumni who have been successful in recovery. A video titled “Hope in Recovery” premiered at the Benefit featuring a dozen alums speaking about their lives since treatment to help them overcome addiction.
Contact:
Judy Emerson
Director of Communications
Rosecrance Health Network
1021 N. Mulford Road
Rockford, IL 61107
815.387.5605 (office); 815.262.4685 (cell)
Email: Click here to email Judy
About Rosecrance
Rosecrance is a private not-for-profit organization offering behavioral health services for more than 14,000 children, adolescents, adults and families each year. Rosecrance provides addiction treatment through inpatient and outpatient programs in Rockford, IL, and services at six offices in Chicagoland. Rosecrance offers community mental health services in Rockford and Belvidere. The organization was founded in 1916.