St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center Celebrates 31st Annual Tasting and Auction Unveils First Mobile Outreach and Engagement Vehicle
ROCHESTER, NY:
St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center will celebrate its 31st Annual Tasting and Auction on Wednesday, June 4th, at 5:30 PM at Temple B’rith Kodesh on Elmwood Ave. The event is the organization's only fundraiser, and dollars raised directly support the medical and mental health care provided to SJNC’s patients and clients. New at the event in 2025, SJNC is unveiling its first Mobile Outreach and Engagement Vehicle, or MOE.
Executive Director Jennifer Sahrle states, “We are thrilled to bring our friends and supporters together again this year and to add a new element to this traditional event – having our new MOE on site for guests to see. Our 2025 event theme, “All Aboard the SJNC Express,” is more than just playful imagery—it perfectly symbolizes our vision and unwavering commitment to laying the tracks for a healthier, more inclusive future.”
The agency will welcome over 400 friends and supporters to the event, which, with the theme “All Aboard the SJNC Express,” will feature train-inspired costumes, eight different local wine, beer, and cidery vendors, and a live and silent auction with donations from across the region. Deanna Dewberry from WHEC Channel 10 News will emcee the event for the second year in a row. Sahrle added, “This event is unique in the Rochester fundraising landscape. We refer to it as a non-gala-gala, where friends of SJNC look forward to catching up and supporting a cause dear to them each year.”
Chairing this year’s event are Santos Cruz and Katelyn Plonczynski-Cruz. Santos has been a firefighter with the City of Rochester Fire Department for the last 14 years, and is now also serving as a Monroe County Legislator in the 21st Legislative District. In addition to Katelyn’s position as a Communications Office for County Clerk, Jamie Romeo, she also currently serves as Vice President of Rochester’s Hispanic Youth Baseball League. “We are delighted to have Katelyn and Santos joining us as chairs for this year’s event. The couple’s dedication to service and commitment to our community is inspirational and aligns with that of SJNC,” said Sahrle.
St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center was founded by six tenacious and dedicated Sisters of St. Joseph in 1993. While the organization became an independent nonprofit in 2012, its commitment to serving those in our community who cannot afford insurance or cannot afford to use their insurance remains the core tenet of the organization.
Sahrle added, “Our increased emphasis on the Social Determinants of Health and actively breaking down barriers to care has helped us become even more patient-centered while focusing on transportation needs, food insecurity, and even housing referrals to ensure that the whole patient is helped. We are truly grateful for our event volunteers, supporters, and sponsors for believing in our mission of a healthier community with health care access for all.”
St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center provides comprehensive health care, counseling, and supportive services to individuals who lack access to health insurance or those who have insurance but are unable to utilize it due to financial barriers. Established in 1993, in the tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Center seeks to identify and respond to the unique health and social needs of individuals and communities in the greater Rochester region.
For more information about St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center and the services we provide, visit our website at www.sjncenter.org or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or Instagram.