By Laurie Whittier
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

This summer Wind Crest celebrated the community’s Benevolent Care Fund and its contributors through the first-annual Benevolent Care Fund Gala.

Hundreds of residents, vendors, staff, and Erickson executives attended, including company founder John Erickson and his wife, Nancy—who flew in from the corporate headquarters in Baltimore, Md., for the formal affair.

In addition to recognizing the Benevolent Care Fund, the cruise ship-themed event marked Wind Crest’s one-year anniversary. Made possible by voluntary contributions, the Benevolent Care Fund is designed to assist residents who may suffer unforeseen financial crises. Erickson explained that with skyrocketing health care costs, Wind Crest’s fund is more important than ever.

“No matter how well you plan, life doesn’t always work out the way you  expect,” Erickson said. “Drawing attention to this fund is a good way to illustrate how important it is to be there for our residents when they need us.”

Highlights throughout the evening included a silent auction, featuring everything from rare silver pennies and framed Elvis records to hotel stays and a canine massage; a casino room; dessert room; and dinner stations offering cuisines from Spain, Greece, France, and Italy.

There was also a special performance by the Wind Crest Line Dancers and dancing with the Joe Peterson Orchestra.