Mix. Mingle. Make a Difference in Mental Health:

SUMMER FUSION 2014

St. Louis’ Official Summer Soiree Returns August 23rd

Live music during sunset on CWE rooftop terrace, culinary cuisine by SqWires,
fusion cocktails, amazing raffle prizes and contests – all benefiting Independence Center.

WHO: Young Professionals of Independence Center

WHAT: Summer Fusion 2014
Lockton Companies presents the seventh annual Summer Fusion with a great line-up of live music, amazing food and cocktails, all capturing and reflecting a wonderful “fusion” theme. The event takes places on the rooftop terrace of Independence Center in the Central West End.

Summer Fusion is the signature fundraising event presented and produced by the Young Professionals of Independence Center in an effort to raise money and awareness for Independence Center – a local non-profit organization that assist people with severe and persistent mental illness to live and work independently in the community. Independence Center’s rehabilitation program is the second largest of its kind in the world and has been recognized internationally as a stellar model for helping restore the lives of people diagnosed with illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and major depression.

At Summer Fusion, guests will feast on a creative menu prepared by SqWires, and in an effort to dispel myths about people living with mental illness and to proactively include the service recipients of Independence Center; restaurant chefs will prepare the evening’s fusion dinner and desserts with the assistance of Independence Center members.

The “fusion” theme continues with a mix of live music on the Center’s rooftop terrace from DJ Nune (Lamar Harris) and Laser Panther.

Summer Fusion will be hosted by event chair Rico Bertucci of Castle Contracting and 2014 honoree for the St. Louis Business Journal’s 30 Under 30. The event is sponsored by Lockton Companies, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Emerson and Genovese Jewelers.

Besides delectable food, cocktails and live music, guests will have a chance to win a diamond as Genovese Jewelers presents “Champagne on the Rocks.” This contest offers a limited number of champagne glasses and with a $20 donation guests have a chance of selecting the glass that contains the real diamond valued at $2,000! Additional raffle and silent auction items will be offered.

All proceeds will directly benefit Independence Center program and services.

The Young Professionals of Independence Center are a group of professionals with a common goal to build awareness for mental illness in the St. Louis community, raise crucial funds for the Center’s programs and services through special events and build future leadership for Independence Center.

WHERE: Independence Center
4245 Forest Park Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108

WHEN: Saturday, August 23, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – Cocktails and appetizers
6:00 p.m. – Program, dinner, cocktails and live music by DJ Nune (Lamar Harris)
7:00 p.m. – Genovese Jewelers “Champagne on the Rocks” contest
7:30 p.m. – Dessert and live music by Laser Panther
8:30 p.m. – Raffle and silent auction drawing

TICKETS: VIP: $60 / $80* (*Includes entry to Champagne on the Rocks contest)
(VIP includes VIP parking, exclusive food and fusion cocktails)
GA: $40 / $60* (*Includes entry to Champagne on the Rocks contest)
At the Door: GA: $50 / VIP: $70

To purchase tickets visit www.independencecenter.org or call (314)880-5403.

Sponsors: Lockton Companies, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Emerson, Genovese Jewelers and SqWires

Young Professionals of Independence Center
Lori Austin (UMSL), Andy Beard (Independence Center), Rico Bertucci (Castle Contracting), Teasha Brooks (Independence Center), Jamie Clark (Independence Center), Amy Corbin (Independence Center),
Robert Davis (Centene), Theresa Fitzgerald (NARA), Robert Garcia (HEC-TV), Josh Gozdecki (BJC HealthCare), Lindsey Guempel (MMMM), Sara May (Children’s Hospital), Andrea Noll (Independence Center), Caitlin O’Brien (Barnes-Jewish Hospital), Andie Patton (Lewis, Rice & Fingersh), Emilee Precht (Enterprise Holdings), Kristine Rosek (Precoat Metals), Mike Schroeder (The PrivateBank), and Thomas Taylor (James Hutchison & Forth).

Independence Center
Established in 1981, Independence Center is a community-based rehabilitation program for adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses in the St. Louis area. The second-largest program of its kind in the world, its innovative programs help more than 1,500 individuals with serious mental illnesses live and work in the community each year. For more information on Summer Fusion or how to join the Young Professionals of Independence Center, visit http://www.independencecenter.org