Joie de Vie Gala Raises More Than $62,000

More than $62,000 was raised at the 11th Joie de Vie Gala at Ironstone Vineyards, a benefit for the Cancer Patient Support Fund. 190 guests heard of the varied needs and tremendous appreciation of the cancer patients who are aided throughout the year by the fund. Sonora Regional Cancer Center social worker Susan Balcarcel shared with guests how their generosity makes a difference by providing much-needed support at a critical time. Guests were moved by the words of Jackie Briggs who shared her personal story and gratitude for their financial support on behalf of cancer patients.

“Our community really stepped up to support our local cancer patients,” stated Gail Witzlsteiner, Director of the Foundation. “The Joie de Vie Gala Committee worked very hard this year to raise $20,000 at the silent auction. Guests seemed to enjoy themselves and we raised money for a very important cause. I am so appreciative of the generous support of our donors and the tremendous help of the Joie de Vie Gala committee members and volunteers.”

The Irving Symons Award for outstanding, long-term community service was presented posthumously to Mary Laveroni of Groveland by hospital president Jeff Eller. He was assisted by Dr. Steven Shield of the Groveland Family Medical Center. The award was accepted by Mary’s granddaughter and her husband, Regina and Robb Hirsch of Groveland.

Mary was passionate about community education and health, and was instrumental in bringing many services to the Groveland area throughout her life. She was a 77- year resident of Groveland and worked for the US Forest Service for 18 years. Mary helped secure water from Hetch Hetchy Reservoir for Groveland Community Service District (GCSD) customers who were using iron-rich water from the Del Monte Mine. She was a founding member and charter director of GCSD for 26 years, 15 years as the chair. Mary also served actively on the Big Oak Flat-Groveland school board, was chair of the Southern Tuolumne County Planning Commission, The Tuolumne County Education Board, and the Columbia College Community Advisory Board. She was a founding director of Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society, as well as their president for many years.

Through a charitable remainder trust established in 1986, Mary selflessly donated the land and financed the construction of the Groveland Family Medical Clinic, thereby ensuring health care services for the residents of the Groveland area. In 2002, she donated additional land for the Groveland Ambulance Station. In 2003, Wayside Park was renamed “Mary Laveroni Community Park” in her honor.

As well as raising a family, Mary and her husband George, operated the Iron Door Saloon, a hardware store, two sawmills and lumber businesses for nearly 50 years.

The Irving Symons Award, named after the late Irving Symons, recognizes longstanding, outstanding community service. Former recipients include Irving Symons, Frank Salel, H. Randolph Holder, Robert Cutler, Pete Kerns, Pete and Sue Kleinert, Joe Martin and Chuck and Willy Evans.
The Joie de Vie Gala is sponsored by Front Porch, MD, Mihoko Fujita, MD, Adventist Health, Black Oak Casino, Blue Mountain Minerals, Clarke Broadcasting Corp., Cutler-Segerstrom Insurance Agency, Charles Habekost, DDS, Genentech, Sierra Emergency Medical Group, California Gold/Prudential California Realty, Chicken Ranch Casino, Dodge Ridge Winter Sports Area, the Groveland Hotel and Kate Powell Segerstrom.

The Joie de Vie Gala Committee is chaired by Sally Kerns and members are Amy Banks, Kimberly Darr, Kimberly Habekost, Sara Lindbo, Kathrina McRee, Anne Patel, Debbie Peterson, Tracy Russell, Shirley Sarno, Darrell Slocum, Julie von Savoye and Gail Witzlsteiner