June 5 talent revue to support relief efforts in Nepal
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — News of another major earthquake that hit Nepal May 12 has only strengthened the resolve of a volunteer-led team of TAMC nurses and other employees who are putting together a benefit to raise funds to support relief efforts in the devastated south Asian country.
“Neighbors for Nepal: The County Community Comes Together for the Global Community” is set for Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m. at Presque Isle Middle School. The special talent revue will feature music and entertainment by a number of local acts, including singing, dancing, gymnastics and instrumental musical performances. All proceeds from the event will be handed over that evening to the local branch of the American Red Cross to support their umbrella organization’s Nepal relief efforts.
“We have more than 20 performers taking part. People have been so wonderful and willing to help however they can. Be it the performers we have approached, or others who have stepped forward and volunteered to help, the outpouring of support and interest in lending a hand both within the TAMC family and throughout The County has been amazing!” said TAMC nurse Jessica Smith, RN, lead organizer of the benefit.
Support and concern for what is happening in the small Himalayan country halfway around the world is high amongst the close-knit community of health care providers and staff at TAMC. Six physicians who serve patients at the medical center are from Nepal and have family living in and around the area impacted.
TAMC has already responded in a number of ways. Medical staff voted at a meeting the week of the initial massive quake in April to send $1,000 to a relief agency to help the victims in Nepal and to demonstrate support and appreciation for their six Nepalese providers. Additionally, several hundred dollars was contributed to relief agencies by numerous hospital employees in the weeks since the first earthquake struck April 25.
For her part, Smith wanted to do more to show her provider colleagues not only how their co-workers supported them, but how much the TAMC family and county community cares. After coming up with the idea for a talent revue, she reached out to her co-worker Ashley Caron Estey, who has experience working on community productions and with local talented performers, asking her to help produce the show.
“We have some great performers lined up and are looking forward to a great show,” said Caron Estey. “The best part of it all is that we are coming together to support people we don’t know personally, but who need our help. The outpouring of generosity that people are showing is truly indicative of county residents. When we see a need, we all do what we can to help.”
Among those who will be helping with the talent revue are two of the six Nepalese providers at TAMC. Lochana Manandhar, MD and Niraj Karki, MD, both hospitalists at the A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital, will serve as judges for the event. They will be joined by Sergio Lema-Gutierrez, MD, TAMC’s lead hospitalist, who has been one of the driving forces on the medical staff encouraging his colleagues to support relief efforts.
The suggested donation for those attending the talent revue is $5; however, any amount will be accepted at the door the evening of the concert.
Those unable to attend but who wish to make a donation can drop off their contributions at the cashier window in the main entrance of the hospital no later than 4 p.m. Friday, June 5. Any checks should be made out to the American Red Cross with NEPAL RELIEF in the memo line.
All donations, both those collected in advance and that evening, will be presented to Joyce Knorr, community manager for the American Red Cross of Northern and Eastern Maine, on stage just prior to the announcement of the talent revue winners. For more information, contact the TAMC communication and development office at 768-4044.
