Health First Foundation “First Crush” Event Big Success

By  //  August 27, 2012

Prelude To Grape Escape Fundraiser

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BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Health First Foundation wine-tasting fundraiser called “First Crush!” drew many generous, giving people to the Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne dealership on Nasa Boulevard in Melbourne on Saturday

Grape Escape XI, the annual fundraising event for the Health First Heart Center, will be held Oct. 13 in Palm Beach Gardens. (Image courtesy of Grape Escape XI)

Space Coast News

The wine extravaganza was added this year as a new feature to the Foundation’s annual Grape Escape events held in the fall to raise funds for heart-related technological advances for Health First Heart & Vascular Services.

Delicious Food And Wine Enjoyed By All

“First Crush!” participants sampled and enjoyed fine wines from around the world along with gourmet foods prepared by some of the best restaurants in Brevard, including Green Turtle Market, Djon’s, Oceanside Grille, au bon pain, and Silvestro’s, among others.

“We are proud to be hosting the first, First Crush event,” said Shay Rowe, Owner of the Mercedes- Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne dealership where the event was held.

“The Health First Foundation is a terrific organization and we are very pleased to be able to lend our support to such a worthy cause.”

Participants also enjoyed music and several won prizes donated by local businesses and sponsors.

Dr. Larry Bishop

Larry Bishop, the ebullient Chairman of the 2012 Grape Escape welcomed the guests from the main balcony and announced many of the wonderful things that would come from the Grape Escape.

“Thank you for making this such a great party and we look forward to seeing you all at the Grape Escape,” said Bishop.

Raising Funds For Medical Technology

Funds raised at this year’s “First Crush!” event will go toward the Health First Foundation’s Grape Escape XI’s fundraising goal to purchase Optical Coherence Tomography technology as well as an Intravascular Ultrasound that can non-invasively visualize heart blockages.

Both of the advanced devices represent cutting-edge technology that can enable cardiac and vascular surgeons to better visualize problem-causing calcifications within blood vessels.

HEALTH FIRST FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS officers for 2012 include John Stark, Nancy Taylor, at right, and Pat Pruitt.

The Grape Escape Dinner and Auction will be held at the spectacular Seasons 52 restaurant located on the Intra Coastal waterway in Palm Beach Gardens.

Guests will be presented with a multi-course dining extravaganza paired with a variety of wines.

During the evening guests will have the opportunity to bid on over 50 fabulous silent auction items.

The main event is the live auction featuring trips, event tickets, jewelry, artwork and sumptuous wines.

The life-saving and humanitarian efforts of all Health First entities have always relied in part on the generous time, energy and financial gifts of local residents.

The bridge between the people investing in the future of local health care and the healthcare system committed to fulfilling the shared vision is the Health First Foundation.

Through support of the Health First Foundation, facilities can be built and renovated, new patient services launched, life-saving equipment purchased, and high quality doctors and nurses recruited and retained.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Grape Escape or call the Health First Foundation at 321-434-7353.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE HEALTH FIRST FOUNDATION LOG ON TO Health-First.org/Foundation