MONROE – An “all star benefit show” will take place May 18 at 7 p.m. at the Marasco PerformingArts Center to support the Fisher House Foundation.
The Fisher House Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropic organization that aids wounded soldiers and their families.
Starring in the show will be Hal Jeffrin, a vocal artist who has been described as a combination of Robert Goulet and Tom Jones, only younger. He has had leading roles in touring productions of “FunnyGirl,” “Fiorello” and “Milk and Honey,” and has sung at Carnegie Hall.
Lenny Rush, the comic who never feels good, will also showcase his talents. He has worked with top variety performers including Tom Jones, Paul Anka and Kenny Rogers, among others, and has appeared on TV and on Broadway.
The third performer will be Lynn Starr, a singer whose range includes country, jazz, blues and conventional standards. She has performed atmajor cabaret clubs as well as the Catskill resorts and Florida. An added attraction is the comedy team ofAndre and Cirell. Also, a trio of musicians will accompany the performers.
General admission is $25, and front chair seating is $30. Further donations will be accepted. Checks should be made payable to SSC- Fisher House Fund with the memo saying Fisher House Contribution. Greenbriar at Whittingham residents can put their requests for seats in Box 32 in the clubhouse lobby. For information, call Doris at (609) 655-0622.
Monroe Mayor Richard Pucci issued a proclamation last fall urging all citizens to participate in this event, and then purchased the first tickets. Sponsors of the showare the Greenbriar at Whittingham Senior Social Club and theAmerican Legion Post 522.
The person who originated the idea of having a benefit show to support the troops and their familieswasMartin Salmanowitz, the longtime president of the Senior Social Club. Salmanowitz passed away on May 2, just twoweeks before his achievement could be realized.
“He was an outstanding community leader and will be sorely missed,” said Paul Bresalier, a member of the Senior Social Club. “Marty was deeply moved by reports of terrible living conditions for military patients at Walter Reed Hospital and by reports of the devastating wounds suffered by American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan requiring long hospitalizations. Driven by the same sense of patriotismthatmotivated himto enlist in theArmy shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked and serve until the end of the war, Marty looked for a way he could help our sick and wounded troops.”
Salmanowitz learned about the Fisher House Foundation,which builds residential facilities for visiting family members near the site of hospitals such as Walter Reed, Bethesda Naval Medical Center and many others.
“Marty did what he knew best – he organized a benefit show at theMarasco Center. He reserved the theater, booked the acts, and actively promoted the show. The show will be dedicated to Marty in recognition of his good deeds,” Bresalier said.
The FisherHouse Foundation builds and donates “comfort homes” to the U.S. government so that military families can be together during extended treatment for serious wounds or illness in military hospitals and othermedical facilities. Families stay free of charge in the FisherHouses, of which 38 are in operation and six are scheduled for completion in 2008 to meet the high demand for the guest suites. Military families have received in excess of $100million of lodging and transportation savings from the Fisher House Foundation. The houses are located throughout the U.S. and even in Germany near hospitals such as Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Medical Center, and the Landstuhl RegionalMedical Center inGermanywhere severelywounded soldiers are treated. The foundation also sponsors scholarships formilitary children.
Marasco Performing Arts Center is located atMonroe TownshipHigh School, Perrineville Road.