The Song of a Thankful Heart: Singing for Hospice Care

Doug Wald said that a friend of his didn't realize the impact of hospice care - kind of like a life vest - until he needed to use it.

"Unless you're in that situation, a lot of people aren't aware what hospice can provide," Wald said. "A lot of people associate it with immediate medical care, but the emotional support, and even physical support - such as shopping and whatnot - are really something else."

Wald became familiar with East End Hospice a few years back when his mother, Anne, was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in 1995. After being given six months to live, she lived on for seven more productive years, eventually succumbing to cancer in 2002.

Anne's doctor, Dr. Louis Avvento, serves on the Board of Directors with EEH, and the experience with him shaped Wald's views about the organization.

"The quality of care he gave my mom, the bedside manner, the compassion - that means a lot," Wald said. Following his mom's death, he said he remembered waiting outside Avvento's office for over an hour while he was with patients, to thank him for treating his mother the way he did.

In return for that care, Wald took something he thought could use some care of its own - downtown Riverhead's nightlife scene - and combined it with a passion of his own - music, and particularly, karaoke - to benefit East End Hospice.

The , taking place this Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m., will feature over 30 singers up on stage at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall belting out karaoke tunes, in addition to food and raffles. Tickets are $25 online and $30 at the door.

"I wanted to gather a community of singers," said Wald. "And it's great to see someone young get up on stage and knock one out - to develop the confidence and sense of empowerment that comes along with that."

The past two events have raised close to $10,000, Wald said, with about 125 and 160 people coming each year, respectively. Though he would like to fill the 225-seat theater, he said.

"It's something unique, which is fun" added Wald, an avid karaoke singer himself. He said that the event will be alcohol-free, bucking the trend of a common perception of alcohol-fueled, lung-bursting karaoke singers.

On that note, some ballads many might typify with karaoke - such as 'American Pie,' 'Sweet Caroline' and 'Freebird' - are on a "do not play" list. Though donations of $25 are accepted if someone really wants to sing one of them.

Editor's note: Doug Wald is a blogger with Riverhead Patch.