Lip Syncing for a Cause Event bringing hope for seniors

There may not be a better feeling than pretending to be someone—or something—else. Children often do that hoping to become that as adults. There is no shortage of imagination or using the mind to for its creativity and illusion.

So, when a group of long-term care employees are gearing up for a night of fun and entertainment—that features costume changes, makeup and acting out their musical fantasies—that means the Fourth Annual Lip Sync Battle is coming to not only please the crowd, but to raise funds to grant wishes for those residents they care for in the nursing facilities statewide!

The event takes place at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln on Thursday, November 7, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Coordinator Pamela Marchetti said the program has grown in short order and hopes to continue that trend.

“We began with 10 acts at the Imperial Room (at The Shriner’s in Cranston) three years ago. It grew to12 acts and more fans the following year, so we had to move to the larger Rhodes on the Pawtuxet (in Cranston). Even more fans attended last year motivating us to find an even bigger venue, which was Twin River,” said Marchetti, who serves as the President of Triad Health Care LLC in Providence and the Charity TLC4LTC. “Twin River will be our permanent home from now on! This year, we have 15 acts from long-term care facilities statewide. We had over 300 people attend last year and are expecting more than 400 people will come and join us this year.”

The event features each team getting to play one song—similar to the television show “Lip Sync Battle” hosted by LL Cool J. This year’s theme is songs from the 80’s. There will be judges from long-term care and celebrity judges—Channel 12 Anchors Danielle North and Patrick Little have served in that capacity in previous years and will be returning this year. The winning team will receive a championship belt similar to the one featured on that show. Prizes will also be given out to the second and third place winners, she added. For the first time, a “People’s Choice” award will be given out to the most popular team in the contest as voted by the audience.

Marchetti said the teams are taking this competition seriously. She said the team that won last year, Morgan Health Center in Johnston, is already making it known that they plan on repeating as champions. Other teams are replying that the champs will be dethroned. Other former winners of this event include; Grace Barker Nursing Center in Warren and West View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Warwick.

She recalled how this fundraiser came into fruition. Marchetti had been diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2014. She credits the long-term care community who helped her in her recovery. Overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support, Marchetti said she was determined to give back and wanted to host a fundraiser that was different than most. She shared her idea of a Lip Sync Battle with some colleagues and they loved the idea. It has since evolved into a smashing success, she added.

“It was off the charts in terms of being a success,” Marchetti said. “It’s become our biggest fundraiser, where 100% of the money we raise helps fund wishes for residents living in long-term care facilities and staff working in long term care. The idea is to grant a special wish or respond to a need that they may at a fragile time in their lives. We had no idea when we started this back in October 2016 that it would be this successful. It is a night of pure love, joy and fun with friends and family who all share love for one another and RI’s long term care residents and staff.”

Marchetti and her team founded TLC4LTC, a non-profit group devoted to granting wishes to patients who are nearing the end stages of their lives or simply have a dream not yet reached. Their influence is statewide and the hope for the group is giving to those who need our help to fulfill their dream or help during a life crisis. They have already granted several wishes, including one wish for someone to ride a motorcycle after suffering a stroke, another to attend their first Boston Red Sox game and paying for childcare for a child whose mother passed away suddenly.

The Lip Sync Battle is currently welcoming sponsors and donation for this event. Sponsorship levels include Pink, Gold, Silver and Bronze; those sponsorships range in value and some come with tickets to this event. They also seek raffle baskets or other donations to help make the night successful. All sponsors and raffle basket donators will be mentioned in their Program and in different signage during this event.

Tickets are $60 in advance and includes dinner and a drink ticket. Those are available until Wednesday, October 30. Tickets are on sale on Eventbrite; simply Search Pam Marchetti’s Lip Sync Battle. The event runs from 5:00pm -10:30pm., with cocktail hour from 5-6:30pm, then dinner and the show begins at 7:00pm.

Contact Pamela Marchetti at 401-374-3839 or email at pam@triadhc.net or tlc4ltccares@gmail.com for more details.

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