Mercy House Gala Helps Families Say Goodbye With Dignity

I’ve said goodbye to more than one person I love inside the walls of Mercy House. Those days, heavy with both sadness and tenderness, are etched into my memory. And while losing someone is never easy, the staff and volunteers at Mercy House somehow managed to make those final moments beautiful. They created an atmosphere where goodbyes were softened by compassion, and where dignity and love were at the center of every detail.

Where Final Days Are Spent in Dignity and Love

Mercy House isn’t a hospital and it isn’t just a shelter. It’s a home. It’s a place where people with terminal illnesses spend their final days surrounded by the warmth of family, friends, and a supportive community of caregivers. Their mission is simple but profound: to unconditionally accept every resident and treat them with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Small Acts of Love That Mean Everything

When I walked through those doors, I saw firsthand what that mission looks like in real life. A favorite meal being prepared, a gentle hand on a shoulder, or volunteers who took the time to sit and listen to stories that might have otherwise been lost. Those small acts of kindness changed everything.

Supporting Mercy House Through a Night of Flavor and Giving

This kind of care doesn’t just happen, it takes resources and a community willing to give. That’s why the 12th Annual Gala of Taste matters so much. On Thursday, October 23, 2025, Mercy House will gather supporters at Our Lady of Good Counsel Hall in Endicott for an evening filled with fine dining, regional wines, live entertainment, auctions, and more.

A Night That Ensures Love and Dignity Live On

It’s more than a party. It’s a promise to the next family that walks through the door that they, too, will have the chance to experience love, dignity, and peace at the hardest moment of their lives. As Executive Director Linda Cerra puts it, “This event not only celebrates the incredible generosity of our community but also ensures that Mercy House can continue to provide compassionate care.”

Your Ticket Helps Write Someone’s Final Chapter With Love

Whether you’ve been personally touched by Mercy House, like I have, or you simply want to support an organization that brings comfort to others, the Gala of Taste is a way to show up. Tickets are available now, but they’re limited to the first 400 people. Every single dollar raised goes directly toward ensuring that more people can spend their final days wrapped in the care and love that Mercy House provides.

Get our free mobile app

Peace, Warmth, and Dignity in Life’s Last Moments

When I think about the people I’ve lost, I’m grateful that their last days weren’t marked by fear or loneliness, but by peace, warmth, and dignity. Mercy House gave that gift not only to them, but to me and to so many families across our community. And on nights like the Gala of Taste, we’re reminded that while life’s final chapter may be inevitable, it can still be written with love.

26 Iconic New York Foods That Make Our Mouths Drool

There is no food comparable to New York food and we're here to prove it with 26 New York dishes that will make your eyes grow big and your mouth water.

Gallery Credit: Traci Taylor