Capital Hospice is proud to present the Passion for Caring Gala on Saturday, November 7, 2009 to celebrate the philanthropic spirit of the community. Themed Venetian Carnivale, Co-Chairs Brian and Nancy Clark and Tim and Sherry Meyers will join you along with other corporate sponsors, individuals and community groups to honor the Passion for Caring Awardees, George and Angela Shafran and Booz Allen Hamilton for sharing with Capital Hospice their talents, vision, corporate capabilities and financial resources. They embrace hospice care with their heart and soul, thereby strengthening the Capital Hospice mission.

This annual fundraiser will support our patient care fund. Last year your contributions from sponsorships, ticket purchases, auction and raffle winnings raised over $750,000 for our Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship.

The Carnivale begins at 6:30 with a silent auction, raffle and cocktails, followed by dinner at 8:30, a live auction, awards and live music by the Fabulous Fantoms.

If you've never been to a Carnivale, then you may not know that the festival dates back roughly 800 years. It is one of the most famous and magnificent carnivals in the world. The Italian lagoon city with its unique charm, its canals, alleyways and squares embodies the atmosphere of times long ago.

On November 7, we will bring Venice and its beautiful masks to you to rejoice in the richness of its music and culture. The masks that you'll see through the night stand for magic moments, romantic hopes and secret longings. They are hand made especially for the night and if you spot one you like, keep your eye on it, because you'll have an opportunity to purchase it and bring it home that night!

About Capital Hospice
Capital Hospice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been providing expert care to patients with a serious progressive illness and their families in the national capital region since 1977. Our compassionate and specially trained staff provide pain and symptom management as well as emotional and spiritual support to patients with serious progressive illnesses and their families in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C. and Prince George's County, Maryland.

In 2008, we served over 5,000 patients and their families and 850 or more in their own homes on any given day. This care should be available for everyone who requests services, regardless of their ability to pay. Last year, Capital Hospice provided over $1.5 million in charity care, up from $1 million the previous year. For more information, please visit our website at www.capitalhospice.org.