The holiday season is behind us but for the restaurants in Rockland, the season of giving continues. Rockland Chefs and the community are coming together to help raise money for a young, 26-year-old mother of two, fighting a rare and aggressive form of Leukemia. On Monday night, February 25th, a band of 24 chefs will host a “Gourmet Chef Tasting” at the The View on the Hudson, a benefit to help save a life.
Many of you may know the river town of Piermont because of its beautiful views of the Hudson and the many great options you have when it comes to dining.
You only have to be in Piermont for a short time to know how special it is. A lot of this has to do with the people who live there. Generations after generations have grown up in the quaint town and the people who live and own businesses there are tight knit and care about each other in the truest of sense.
That is why when Savana Lynch Sturgill, of Piermont, got diagnosed in November people in the town knew they needed to do whatever they could to help. That is when Team Savana was formed to assist her and her family through her difficult journey to recovery. The team is made up of friends, family members and business owners. “When we found out exactly how sick Savana was, we created this website, set up a Go Fund Me page and came together to help bring awareness and bring a community together while helping one of its own” team members told me.
Savana’s Story
Savana was a very active member in the Piermont community, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary and she worked as a private aid for a local handicapped woman who she took great care of.
Unfortunately, one morning late October while getting up for work, Savana awoke and found she was unable to breathe. She called for her mom, who discovered large lumps on her body and rushed her immediately to the hospital. After extensive testing, Savana was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive combined form of T3 Leukemia and Lymphoma, 2 cancers rendering her unable to work. The tumors were so big they were pressing on her lungs making it difficult to breathe and wrapped around her ventricles restricting her heart. She has been hospitalized ever since that day at Westchester Medical Center. Because Savana’s cancer is so complicated, she has had several set-backs. As a side effect of some treatments, she has lost all her muscle mass and the ability to walk on her own.
“This beautiful person inside and out is my niece”, says Patrick Lynch in a recent Facebook post. “She’s only 26 years young and she is going through something that I pray none of you or your loved ones will ever have to. Savana needs our help right now to say the least. She is a single mother of 2 beautiful children and would do anything for them, but right now she can’t do anything for them or even herself. Savana is a caregiver by trade and has no insurance, PLEASE find it in your hearts to contribute to her care every little bit helps.”
The Gourmet Chef’s Tasting – A Night of Food, Fun & Giving
Spearheading this important night of culinary tasting, is restaurant owner, Denis Whitton. Whitton, proprietor of Pier 701 and a good friend of Savana’s family knew that with his experience in the restaurant business he had a unique opportunity to help out. “What better way to do that, but with delicious food?” says Whitton.
“We have put together a big event and many of the best restaurants not only in Piermont, but throughout Rockland participating, 24 in all!”
The Evening
6:00 PM Hor D’ouerves Wine and Spirit Tastings.
7:15 PM
Doors open to Grand Ballroom Tasting Stations
&
Silent Auction Tricky Trays (a raffle with multiple prizes) 50/50 Raffle
Special Guest, actor/director Paul Borghese will MC the Night
Live entertainment by Johnny Markowski and Friends.
So far the list of restaurants include: The View on The Hudson, Rivertown Tap House, 14 Hudson, Roost, Divine Pie, Sidewalk Bistro, Seasons of Piermont, Basque, Confetti’s, TWK Market, Cornettas, Pier701, 8 North Broadway, Wasabi Sushi, Bailey’s Smoke House, Sazones, Marcellos, Union, 76 House , Le gateau Suisse and more.
Price*: $55 in advance and can be purchased by clicking on "Buy Tickets"
Tickets are also available at Pier 701, 701 Piermont Rd, Piermont.
Tickets will also be available at the door - Price $65
*All proceeds will be donated to Team Savana.
Not able to attend, but wondering how you can contribute?
The first thing you can do is to help spread the word about Savana’s story by sharing this article on social media. The next thing you can do is head to their Go Fund Me page, Team Savana, and make a donation.
If you are a local business, the organizers are looking for items to be auctioned off for the Silent Auction and used for Tricky Trays, which is a raffle with multiple prizes. If you can contribute an item or a service please call (845) 499-6576 or email teamsavanafundraiser@gmail.com.
A big thanks to all the restaurants, chefs and businesses who are donating their time and resources. This couldn’t happen without you!
