Overlook Auxiliary Hosts Art Auction For Pediatric Mental Health

SUMMIT, NJ — In an effort to support pediatric mental health initiatives at Overlook Medical Center, Overlook Auxiliary is hosting its inaugural "Art at Overlook" Auction & Cocktail Reception on Wednesday.

Funds raised at "Art at Overlook," which will take place at the Short Hills Racquets Club, will provide resources for the doctors, nurses, social workers, crisis counselors and child/life specialists working to treat the mental health of children at Summit's Overlook Medical Center.

According to Overlook Auxiliary, there has been a significant rise in acute behavioral health symptoms among young people, primarily children between the ages of 13 and 17.

"Because these issues often reach a crisis point, more and more of these children who have intense psychological needs, and their families, have turned to the emergency department at their local hospital as the first stop for care," Overlook Auxiliary wrote.

Heather Speas, Overlook Auxiliary's co-president said the pandemic has had a significant and detrimental impact on the well-being of children and adolescents across the country.

The "Art of Overlook" event will feature events of five local artsits: Cris Salas, Jesus Nunez, Kate DeOssie, Neela Pushparaj and Ricardo Roig.

The event will also include a virtual auction with additional items donated by the community including (but not limited to):

• Dinner at La Pergola and Tickets to Paper Mill Playhouse’s Sister Act
• One month of complimentary art classes at One River Art School
• NJPAC Dinner & Alvin Ailey: American Dance Theater Performance
• Oh Canary! Kid’s backyard art class for 8
• Family membership to Liberty Science Center & Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary
• $100 Gift Certificate to Ruth’s Chris Steak House & King Room at the Short Hills Hilton
• House of Dezign “Sip & Sew” class for 8
• One month membership to The Racquets Club of Short Hills
• Gift basket from Gary’s Wine & Market

The online auction will go live at 10:00 a.m. on Monday.

To bid on auction items, and in turn support pediatric and adolescent mental health initiatives at Overlook Medical Center, click here.

For more information about the Overlook Auxiliary “Art at Overlook” program, contact overlookauxiliarygallery@gmail.com. To learn more about the Overlook Auxiliary, visit www.oaux.org.

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