Press release:
Belle Nuit opera concert to benefit Catherine McAuley Mercy Foundation
ASHEVILLE, NC—On September 9, 2016, local not-for-profit Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care will host an opera concert to benefit the Catherine McAuley MERCY Foundation. The event will take place at Diana Wortham Theatre in Downtown Asheville at 7:30pm.
Catherine McAuley MERCY Foundation provides financial resources for mission services provided by Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care staff both here and overseas. The organization has embarked on 15 missions in Haiti and assisted with international relief in areas devastated by natural disasters, such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the 2013 tsunami in the Philippines.
“I have a very personal connection to this event,” said Rachel Sossoman, event organizer and Director of Human Resources for Sisters of Mercy, who was a recent Haiti mission team member. Her relationship with some of the performers goes back to her own musical work. “Attendees can expect to be entertained by outstanding musicianship and the best of what vocal music has to offer, as well as experience the story of the Sisters of Mercy in Western North Carolina,” Sossoman said.
Performances will include a variety of internationally and locally renowned artists, including: Tony Deaton, James Frost, John Outland, Simone Vigilante, Mary Gayle Greene, Randall Outland, and Vance Reese, along with a solo by Sossoman herself.
As a long-standing local not-for-profit, Sisters of Mercy strives to maintain a close relationship with the communities it serves. This event will help to grow that relationship by providing an opportunity for face-to-face interaction. Following the program will be a reception for attendees to meet and greet the performers and for the Sisters of Mercy team to personally thank audience members for their generous support. “The money raised goes directly to the cause and will have significant impact,” Sossoman said. “This year, out of roughly 10,000 urgent cares nationally, we were the recipient of the Urgent Care Association of America’s Humanitarian Award because of our earthquake disaster relief and continued work in Haiti since 2010. The ability to continue our mission comes directly from our supporters—the people who will be sitting in those theatre seats. The only way to maintain this level of assistance is through the continued support of the people.”
Tickets for the event run between $71 and $87 and may be purchased directly at bit.ly/BelleNuit. Student tickets are $10 (with ID) and a 30% discount is offered for those buying five or more tickets. Donations may also be made directly to the Catherine McAuley MERCY Foundation via the online donate button at urgentcares.org or by sending a check referencing the event to:
Catherine McAuley MERCY Foundation
P.O. Box 16367
Asheville, NC 28816
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