CareOne Hosts Casino to Help Sandy Survivors

CareOne at Morris and CareOne at Morris Assisted Living are looking for high rollers with an altruistic streak.

The nursing facility and senior assisted living firm—with the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce—is planning a fundraising event to help its workers who were negatively affected by Superstorm Sandy.

CareOne Executive Director Catherine Olexa said that on Dec. 5, the organization will host a Casino Night at the Westmount Country Club in Paterson. The benefit will raise funds to help more than 40 CareOne employees who lost their homes and belongings as a result of the storm. Event proceeds will help them replace lost valuables and necessities.

With the help of PACC President Robert Peluso, Executive Director Craig Schlosser and the chamber's board of directors, Olexa said CareOne at Morris put together a spa and dining-themed raffle basket for the fundraiser that's worth $450 and called "The Parsippany Experience."

Chamber members that donated gift cards and vouchers included the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel, Gourmet Café, Anthony Franco Pizza and the Great Wazu sandwich shop. Other donors included Massage Envy Parsippany and Morristown Medical Center's Integrative Medicine Department.

In addition to the gift basket, which will be raffled off to the highest bidder, Olexa said, CareOne at Morris has also raised more than $2,500 in cash donations from employees, physicians and vendors associated with the campus.

"We thank all those in the Parsippany area  who joined in the effort to help those in need within our organization," Olexa said in a statement. "With similar efforts to these happening in over 30 CareOne centers around the state, the outcome will surely be one that assists these dedicated caregivers to rebuild their lives."