A Village to Thank: Foundation Annual Event Raises More Than $130,000

“A large portion of our village is here.”

Lutheran SeniorLife President and CEO David Fenoglietto offered that observation at this year’s Foundation Annual Event at the Pittsburgh Field Club. Among those in attendance were longtime supporters, some with relationships spanning decades, as well as new friends, residents, employees, board members and community partners.

Together, they helped raise more than $130,000 at Legacy of Abundant Life: An Evening of Gratitude and Giving. The evening included a live auction, raffle baskets and an opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues who share a connection to Lutheran SeniorLife.

Fenoglietto’s reference to a “village” extended beyond the donors in attendance. He also recognized the employees and volunteers who care for the people Lutheran SeniorLife serves, along with the friends and partners whose generosity makes their work possible.

He also recalled a $5 donation made following a church convention in Pittsburgh in 1896. The significance of that gift was not its amount, but the generosity behind it, a spirit that continues to support Lutheran SeniorLife’s mission today.

That mission now reaches thousands of people through senior living communities, the LIFE Program, home health and hospice, and other services for individuals and families.

Providing those services, however, requires resources beyond what insurance, government reimbursements and personal finances can always cover.

Donor support helps meet those needs, supporting programs that allow older adults to maintain their independence, as well as resources and improvements that benefit residents and families. That support continues throughout the year, thanks to individuals, families and businesses who believe in Lutheran SeniorLife’s mission.

Among those supporters is Grant Street Asset Management, Inc., this year’s Presenting Sponsor and a dedicated donor for 14 consecutive years.

In a video message, Grant Street President and CEO Kristen E. Jackson, CFA spoke about the company’s experience serving families across four generations and the values it shares with Lutheran SeniorLife.

“We see up close that family matters, and how one generation can make a lasting difference for the next,” Jackson said.

Henderson Brothers has also been a valued corporate partner and Foundation supporter for more than 20 years. Ryan Casciani, Vice President and partner at Henderson Brothers, joined guests at the Annual Event and spoke about the company’s longstanding relationship with Lutheran SeniorLife.

Following the event, Joelleen Yerace, Vice President of Development, and the Foundation team expressed their appreciation to everyone who attended, sponsored the event, made a donation, participated in the auction or purchased a raffle ticket.

“What a night! Thank you for being part of this special evening and for making such a meaningful difference through your generosity. While this event is one night, the need for support continues year-round. We invite you to continue making a difference by supporting Lutheran SeniorLife’s mission throughout the year,” the team shared.

Raising more than $130,000 is an accomplishment worth celebrating. Just as important are the contributions Lutheran SeniorLife receives throughout the year from individuals, families, foundations and businesses who have made the organization’s mission part of their charitable giving.

For more than a century, Lutheran SeniorLife has been strengthened by the generosity of people who believe in its mission. We thank everyone who supported this year’s Annual Event and to those whose year-round giving continues to make a difference.