(l.-r.) Daniel P. Walsh, president and CEO of Winthrop-University Hospital; Yuletide Ball co-chair Clare Petropoulos; honoree Veronica Renken, longtime Winthrop volunteer and President of the Winthrop-University Hospital Auxiliary; Charles M. Strain, Chairman of Winthrop's Board of Directors; and event co-chair Mary Beth Tully On December 8, 2007, friends and supporters of Winthrop-University Hospital gathered under a grand and elegantly decorated tent at the beautiful Garden City Historical Society "Apostle House" to celebrate Winthrop's annual Yuletide Ball fundraiser. The 2007 Yuletide Ball raised nearly $170,000 to benefit Winthrop's comprehensive children's programs and clinical services, which cover the full range of pediatric specialties and sub-specialties. In addition, the funds raised at the event will help support Winthrop's Child Life Program, through which specially trained Child Life Specialists help children understand and cope with hospitalization.

Best-selling author Nelson DeMille and his wife Sandy DeMille were hosts of the spectacular charitable event. Nelson DeMille is the author of thirteen novels including: The Gold Coast, The General's Daughter, Spencerville, Plum Island, The Lion's Game, Up Country, Night Fall, and Wild Fire. He also co-authored Mayday with Thomas Block and has contributed short stories, book reviews, and articles to magazines and newspapers.

Best-selling novelist Nelson DeMille and wife Sandy at the Winthrop-University Hospital Yuletide Ball (Photos by Richard Slattery) The 2007 Yuletide Ball also recognized and honored the volunteerism of long-standing auxilian and Winthrop-University Hospital trustee Veronica B. Renken. "Veronica Renken is an amazing individual, whose compassion for people exemplifies Winthrop's mission of Care without compromise," said Daniel P. Walsh, President and CEO of Winthrop. Founded as a voluntary hospital more than a century ago, auxilians have been a mainstay of Winthrop for more than 80 years.

"I am delighted to continue the tradition of countless Winthrop volunteers and auxilians who work so tirelessly to support our community hospital," said Renken.

"The Yuletide Ball would not be possible without the tireless dedication of the Ball's committee volunteers and the generous support of Garden City residents," said event co-chair Mary Beth Tully. "Thanks to their efforts and ongoing philanthropic support, the Hospital's Child Life Program and Pediatric Services serve thousands of young patients and their families each year."

New York State Senator Kemp Hannon and his wife Bronwyn. In addition to offering excellent, comprehensive pediatric medical care, Winthrop is proud to provide emotional and developmental support to young patients and their families through the hospital's Child Life Program. Certified Child Life Specialists help children understand and cope with hospitalization and alleviate fear and anxiety that may be inherent in the experience. The caring and highly trained staff use therapeutic play, arts and crafts, entertainment and other diversions to ensure that the hospital experience is as stress-free as possible for children and their families. Child Life Specialists are available in the Pediatric Emergency Unit, the Cancer Center for Kids, Pediatric Specialty Center and the Hospital's Hagedorn Pediatric Inpatient Center.

Connie and Ron McGlynn, Chairman of Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn For additional information about the Yuletide Ball, call (516) 663-3398. For additional information about Winthrop's pediatric services, call 1-866-WINTHROP.

Cummin and Maureen Clancy, hosts of Winthrop's 2006 Yuletide Ball Yuletide Ball event co-chairs Clare Petropoulos and Mary Beth Tully The Winthrop-University Hospital Yuletide Ball 2007 featured live music, dancing and fine dining in a spectacularly decorated tent on the lawn of the beautiful Garden City Historical Society "Apostle House."8 Charles M. Strain, Chairman of Winthrop's Board of Directors, and wife Denise J. Peter Coll, Partner in Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, with wife Nancy.