Engeman Theater presents $12,500 Check to Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk, Inc.

On Wednesday, August 9th, John W. Engeman Theater owner Kevin J. O'Neill presented a check to Robert Cogliati (President of the Board of Trustees), Barbara Sorelle (Event Planner) and Linda Taylor (CEO) of Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk, Inc. (VNSHS).

At a July 12th performance of Grease, VNSHS hosted a VIP pre-show event, consisting of an open bar, a food spread donated by Northport Caterers and several raffle items. A significant portion of the proceeds from every ticket sold for the evening's performance went back to VNSHS, along with a contribution from the theater, totaling $12,500.

Linda Taylor, CEO, stated that the funds raised by the event support the organization in various capacities, but that the area most in need of support is the hospice house.

"We really enjoy working with everyone at the theater on these events," Taylor added. "It is a real team effort to contribute to Visiting Nurse Service and the hospice house."

The event was part of the Engeman Theater's Fundraising Program, through which not-for-profit organizations within the community can raise funds to support their specific programs and causes through Main Stage performances at the theater. At each fundraising event, a significant portion of the ticket sales proceeds goes back to the host organization.

VNSHS is a not-for-profit, community based home health care and hospice agency, responding to community needs as they arise, maintaining a tradition of charitable and compassionate care in the home, and providing community service activities such as blood drives, bereavement support, and flu clinics.

"Visiting Nurse Service does phenomenal work, and I think Northport is a better place as the result of their efforts," said O'Neill. "They are another staple in the community, and we're proud to support the incredibly valuable work they do."

In its 10 years of operation, the Engeman has raised funds for and contributed to a wide variety of causes, including the American Red Cross and the Hurricane Sandy Relief effort, the First Presbyterian Church of Northport, the Ecumenical Lay Council Food Pantry of Northport and the Huntington Light House Preservation Society. With the funds raised for the Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk, Inc., the Engeman's lifetime charitable giving has now surpassed $1.25 million.

For more information about VNSHS visit www.visitingnurseservice.org

For more information about the Fundraising Program at the Engeman Theater, contact Todd Latchford at tlatchford@engemantheater.com.

The Engeman Theater receives support from Northwell Health (formerly North Shore-LIJ Health System) for its Mainstage series and Bethpage Federal Credit Union for it Children's Theater series, in the form of multi-year corporate sponsorships.

The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport is Long Island's only year round professional theater company, casting our actors from the Broadway talent pool. From curb to curtain, we have made it our business to provide affordable, Quality Theater in an elegant one-of-a-kind location with outstanding facilities and extraordinary service. The renovated Theater offers stadium-style seating, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, a full orchestra pit, and a classic wood-paneled piano lounge with full bar.

For a complete show schedule and more information contact the theater directly at 631-261-2900, visit the box office at 250 Main Street, Northport or visit www.EngemanTheater.com