Record Funding Raised for Tidewell Hospice, Empath Health

SARASOTA, Florida—Nearly 600 people attended the Tidewell Foundation’s Crystal Anniversary Signature Luncheon on Friday, March 1, at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota. The 15th Annual event, the Tidewell Foundation’s largest fundraiser, raised a record $434,558 to benefit Tidewell Hospice and Empath Health services that reach more than 10,000 people each year in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties in Florida.

Health advocate, movie, TV and Broadway actress, five-time Golden Globe nominee, New York Times best-selling author and memory expert Marilu Henner was the keynote speaker.

Henner is a spokesperson for Alzheimer’s disease awareness. She has been a vocal advocate for hospice care, and in 2019 she became a spokesperson for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Henner said that she believes hospice care is “one of the most important things that we can do for our loved ones at the end of life.”

“We were honored to bring Marilu to our community for our largest fundraiser,” said Tidewell Foundation President Delesa Morris, MS, CFRE. “We are grateful to our donors and supporters, whose generosity strengthens and sustains our mission of providing Full Life Care for all.”

The Tidewell Foundation helps fund charity care, grief support services, specialized veterans care, music therapy, telehealth and other programs that Tidewell Hospice and Empath Health provide to people across the region.

Signature Luncheon attendees also experienced one of the donor-supported complementary services during the event through a performance of the Maroon 5 song “Memories” by music therapist Haley Verinder, MT-BC.

Caldwell Trust Company was the Signature Sponsor of the 15th Annual Signature Luncheon. A complete list of Signature Luncheon sponsors can be found at signatureluncheon.org.