An Evening in the Vineyards, held at CentraState’s Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus in Freehold Township on Sept. 15, welcomed nearly 500 guests to the annual event which benefited the Linda E. Cardinale Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center.
The evening featured a surprise honoree presentation to the hostess of the Gordon Stillwell Tasting Room, Carol Stillwell, according to a press release.
“What woman never says no? What woman never takes no for an answer? What woman in this room supports more nonprofit causes than anyone you have ever met in your entire life?” asked Nancy Barone, vice president of development, CentraState Healthcare Foundation.
Vito Cardinale, the honorary co-chair of the event, said, “We wanted to thank Carol as a surprise, not to ask anything of her, but rather to recognize the dedication, time and support she has given to the Linda E. Cardinale MS Center and CentraState.
“Carol recognizes the importance of a local MS center and values the care the MS center provides. We are very happy to call her our friend and recognize her contributions to the success of this annual event,” he said.
The event included 79 wine samplings plus craft beers and spirits from a host of local distributors arranged by Max’s Beer Wine & Liquor.
Food samplings were provided by local restaurateur Rob Kash and his staff at Metrolpolitan Café/On Location Catering Services, Great Restaurants Inc.
A gift auction, wine toss and serenading music provided entertainment for guests, according to the press release.
The Gordon Stillwell Tasting Room featured four rare wines of the Napa Valley, distinct food pairings and a live auction hosted by Carol Stillwell.
The 16th anniversary event focused on the MS patients and the direct impact the Linda E. Cardinale MS Center has made in the lives of those with the debilitating disease and their families, according to the press release.
“The camaraderie and being able to speak to others who are going through the same thing helps so much … I have learned how to live with a more positive attitude; ‘disabled’ is no longer a word in my vocabulary,” said Carla Morgan, one of Dr. Amos Katz’s patients at the MS Center.
The event has raised $2.5 million for the Linda E. Cardinale MS Center over the past 16 years. The MS Center is the largest center of its kind in the metropolitan area and now sees more than 2,000 patients annually and performs more than 150 infusions monthly, according to the press release.

